
MINI Cooper Convertible
$153,888 including COE
Engine: 1499cc, three-cylinder, in-line, 12-valve
Power/torque: 136bhp/220Nm
Fuel consumption: 5.6L/100km
0 to 100 kph: 8.7 seconds
Top speed: 206kph
It is invigorating and energising to do this, as long as it does not rain, of course. Instead of a strong cup of black coffee in the morning, a drive along the expressway with the top down has the same effect. It wakes you up and gives you a natural buzz for a few hours. Yes, it is hard to talk to your fellow passengers with the top down, but that is a small price to pay. This three-door MINI also feels a bit more grown-up in its handling — it is sturdy and stable to drive, and glides over the tarmac with ease. Boot space is a little squeezed to make room for the folded soft top — providing a challenging 160 litres — but you cannot have everything I guess. Convertible cars are not for everyone, which is why our roads are not jam-packed with them. But if you are someone who loves the joys of open-topped driving, especially in a cool and trendy car, then the MINI Cooper Convertible could be the answer. I myself was a MINI owner in the early 1990s and still have fond memories of what fun it was to drive it. And I am sure today’s generation of MINI drivers feel the same way about their car. It is an honourable tradition that I hope will continue for many more generations. Justin Harper is a freelance journalist with a passion for all things fast