2012 MINI Cooper Baltimore

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The MINI Cooper returns for 2012 with some minor updates. For 2012, some new colors have been added and a new MINIYours exclusive options program has been introduced.  The MINI Cooper line is nimble, visually unique, and in Cooper S trim, quite fast. There is plenty of room for the passengers in front, and belts for four passengers in all models. Any way you choose, the MINI provides as much style and sheer fun as any small car extant, and even more personalization options. The 2012 MINI Cooper is offered as a two-door hatchback, called the hardtop, as well as a four-seat convertible.

2012 MINI Cooper Handling

The base model MINI Cooper is powered by a 121-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder.  A turbocharged version with 181 hp powers the S. Both engines require premium gas. Compared with the Cooper, the Cooper S has a sportier suspension. The extra-racy, John Cooper Works models peak at 208 hp. Measured by specific output, a technical label for the amount of power an engine delivers for its size, the MINI JCW four is one of the most powerful engines in any automobile. The turbo engine reacts almost instantly to the gas pedal, with only the tiniest hint of turbo lag, and produces satisfying acceleration at all speeds once in motion. A key factor in the MINI's sporting feel is its electromechanically assisted steering, which uses an electric motor, instead of belt-driven pump, for steering assist. Despite the fuel-saving electric power assist, the steering shaft is still mechanically connected to the steering box, so the driver still gets great feel for the road. The car's changing cornering force can be felt through the wheel. This system also varies the steering ratio and effort according to speed.

Design of the '12 MINI Cooper

Last year the MINI received new bumper designs and tail lights, and five new wheel designs. Also, the front ends were reshaped largely to meet new requirements for pedestrian safety. The geometry is such that pedestrians might be lifted up and further out of harm's way in the event of a collision, with larger deformation zones to reduce the risk of serious leg injury. The MINI convertible closely resembles the standard hardtop, and matches its dimensions. The soft-top maintains the same basic silhouette as the hardtop, though the rear window is tilted farther forward. The rear side windows are about a third of the size of those on the hardtop because the cloth top wraps farther around the sides of the car.  The convertible comes with an insulated fabric roof that opens at the touch of a button in just 15 seconds when the car is parked or traveling at up to 18 mph, which is very convenient.  The MINI Cooper S models are distinguishable from the standard Cooper, no matter what the body style. Black mesh grilles replace the shiny bars, and lower brake ducts with optional chrome frames guide cooling air toward the brake discs. The S Models also feature a chrome-ringed hood scoop.

2012 Cooper Interior

MINI Cooper cabins are charming, and finish is generally excellent. The plastics have a quality look and feel. This goes for the base Leatherette upholstery, also known as vinyl. Multiple leather options are available, including a cloth and leather combination, a full leather option, and the high-end Lounge Leather. The Lounge Leather is glove soft with contrasting piping, in the fashion of classic British sedans. Ambient lighting is standard on most models, and it softly illuminates the door panels and footwells with subtle LEDs. The driver can easily change the color of the lighting across a spectrum from soft orange to crisp blue. The MINIs have some of the smallest exterior dimensions of any four-passenger vehicle available in the United States, but they're surprisingly spacious inside. All models follow MINI's tradition of a big, round speedometer in the center of the dash. The tachometer is mounted on the tilt/telescoping steering column, moving with the wheel as it's adjusted it up and down. The convertible also has a unique Openometer next to the tach. It tracks the number of hours you drive with the top down and displays the owner's enthusiasm for open-cockpit motoring.

Trim Levels of the 2012 MINI Cooper

The MINI Cooper hardtop comes with leatherette upholstery, air conditioning, power windows with auto-down, cruise control, remote keyless entry, outside temperature display, a cooled glovebox, rear wiper, 15-inch alloy wheels and AM/FM stereo with a single CD player and six speakers. For 2011, both HD and satellite radio are standard, with a one-year Sirius subscription.

The Cooper S hardtop is powered by a turbocharged version of the 1.6-liter engine, increasing horsepower to 181 and peak torque to 192 lb-ft. The Cooper S also has a firmer suspension, 16-inch wheels and unique exterior details.

The John Cooper Works hardtop is the raciest model of all, with a 208-hp version of the turbocharged engine, an even firmer suspension, larger brakes and 205/45R17 run-flat tires. The JCW models aren't offered with the automatic transmission.

The MINI Cooper convertible is equipped comparably to the base hardtop, except for its power-operated convertible soft top and standard 16-inch wheels. The Cooper S convertible and John Cooper Works convertible approximate corresponding hardtop models in standard equipment and performance.

Conclusions

The MINI Cooper provides the driving enthusiast with a combination of fun-to-drive performance, engineering and unconventional attitude. Safety features include dual-stage front impact airbags, front passenger side-impact airbags and full-cabin head protection curtains. The convertible has a pop-up rear rollover bar. Dynamic safety features include Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and full-feature antilock brakes (ABS), with Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Brake Assist, and Cornering Brake Control. All models with the manual transmission feature Hill Assist, which activates the brakes when starting on an uphill ascent to prevent the car from rolling back. For more on this model, visit the official MINI Cooper website!

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com