2012 MINI Coupe: Who and why?

The MINI has been full of surprises ever since BMW reintroduced it in 2001. The manufacturer wants to offer a MINI for all tastes, but not necessarily for all budgets. They are trying anything and everything to keep people from losing interest in the brand – or worse, forgetting about it entirely. With this goal in mind, new variations are introduced every year, and public interest is maintained.

Enter the 2012 MINI Coupe, a spin-off designed to lead the field in terms of sportiness. In fact, rumour has it that the Coupe is trying to attract more male clients, as the brand is currently a lot more popular with the ladies. The 2012 MINI Coupe stays true to the concept-car introduced at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. Its unique features include a more angled windshield and rear window as well as a lowered roof. The deflector that extends above the rear window makes it look like it’s wearing a backwards baseball cap. Some like this new MINI, others not so much. It’s a question of taste. Either way, it really stands out on the road.

Minus two seats

Although it seems smaller at first glance, the MINI Coupe is actually the same size as the standard Cooper. Thus, you’d think that it would be able to accommodate four passengers, but this is not the case. Open the doors and you’ll find very little room behind the front seats. Its new top and reduced height (about 300 mm lower) mean curtains for the back seats. If you’re looking for a family car, forget the MINI Coupe; it definitely doesn’t fit the bill. Taking out the backseats has left more room for the driver and passenger, but what is particularly appreciated is the increased cargo space.

The passenger compartment is nothing like with what you find in the normal versions. Your initial confusion will quickly give way to admiration once you familiarize yourself with the different features of the cockpit. Close attention has been paid to every detail, like the two rows of switches on the central console and ceiling that mimic the style of fighter planes. They’re used for activating a variety of things, including the auxiliary lights and rear spoiler (which, incidentally, can be deployed manually or automatically, depending on your speed – just like a Porsche).

As in the other models, a large speedometer in the middle of the dashboard includes a screen displaying information from the on-board computer and navigation system. It’s not a terribly practical place to display the vehicle’s speed, but this is more for style than for practical purposes. Alternatively, you can check your rpm counter, the only indicator located in front of the driver, as it also has a digital display of your speed. Basically, the passenger compartment is unique and completely different from your typical compact car. That’s why so many people are smitten with it.

From fun to rocket

There are three versions of the MINI Coupe, differentiated from one another mainly by their engines. There’s nothing new mechanically, as all of the engines already equip other MINIs. The base version comes with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder that develops 122 horsepower and is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed automatic. Priced just over $25,000, this is a far shot from being an affordable vehicle, especially once you add on some of the high-priced options, of which there are many. That’s the real danger of MINIs: succumb to temptation and the price will skyrocket.

As for the Coupe S, the most attractive of the bunch, it comes with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder that features 184 horses and 192 lbs.-ft. of torque. This increased power lowers the 0-100 km/hr time from 8.9 to 6.9 seconds. Without a doubt, this engine is the suited to the car’s aspirations. Finally, the MINI Coupe John Cooper Works is at the top of the food chain with its 208 horsepower engine. This beast could make the great sports cars blush. But considering its nearly $40,000 price tag – without options – only true diehards will go for this version.

On the road, the MINI Coupe is like the other models, with an extra helping of dynamism. It’s often compared to a go-kart, and that’s even truer with this version. Its compact size makes it agile and extremely fun to drive. While it has some of the qualities of a grand touring car, it is pure bliss on winding roads. Our test model, a MINI Coupe S, offered a good dose of power to pass slower vehicles. Drivers looking for smoothness and comfort will be disappointed. The suspension favours handling, but weather-worn Canadian roads aren’t always compatible with the kind of suspension found in the MINI Coupe, especially considering that the car is equipped with low-profile tires that maximize performance but undermine comfort.

It’s hard to say how much success the MINI Coupe will have. It’s very close to the original MINI in that it’s very small and not very practical, but this modern version performs much better and offers a singularly fun ride.