2020 Mini Convertible Reviews

In a year when the overall car market shrank, all but a handful of prestige brands increased sales. Buyers don't just want a good car; they want others to see they have one, helping everyone from Maserati to Mercedes-Benz post gains.The trend is accelerating and a steady stream of new models in 2015 only adds to the impetus. CarsGuide looks at what's in store for the premium players this year.It isn't hard to foresee the popularity of the 4C two-seat coupe when it hits showrooms next month. This baby supercar uses a carbon-fibre tub, mid-engine layout and minimalist interior to present a modern incarnation of a stripped-down racer. Pricing will be $80,000-$100,000. The soft-top Spider is due in October. The Alfa Giulietta also gets an update.A steady new model rollout starts in February with the arrival of the TT coupe for just under $80,000. It will be joined by the soft-top roadster midyear and the TT S performance model in August or September. The plug-in petrol-electric A3 e-tron five-door hatch is due in May with an expected price of $60,000, with the Q7 large SUV due late in the year. Updates or variants include the A6/A7, RS6/RS7, A1, RS3 and Q3/RSQ3.New metal is in short supply at the British brand but two models will join the line-up, starting with the Vantage S Roadster at a shade under $420,000. If that isn't exclusive enough, consider the $500,000 Vanquish Carbon using the same V12 but with eight forward ratios in place of the Vantage's seven.BENTLEYChauffeurs will going cap-in-hand to buyers of the Mulsanne Speed for the chance to steer the best Bentley ever. A twin-turbo V8 cranks out 1100Nm - only the Bugatti Veyron can torque itself up as a more powerful production model - to push the 2.7-tonne limo into triple figures in 4.9 seconds. Pricing has yet to be set but if you have to ask, you can't afford it.There's a lot of product in the pipeline this year but only one all-new car. The X1 will switch to front-wheel drive when the second-generation model arrives in the third quarter. The X1 will look more mini-SUV than compact wagon, aligning it with the X3 and X5. Top-end versions will be all-wheel drive. Updates and new variants include the 2 Series convertible, X5M/X6M, 6 Series/X6, 3 Series, X4 M40i and X5 e-Drive.The 458 range has a Speciale A due next month. The 499 examples of the alloy hardtop model are already sold, meaning the $635,000 two-seater is likely to be a smart investment. Keep an eye on the classifieds.The struggle to be a serious prestige player continues for Infiniti with a major model overhaul due in 2016. A refreshed Q70 flagship is due midyear with a nip-and-tuck for the bumpers, updated interior trim and more safety software.The transition from niche player to prestige powerhouse is predicated on the XE sedan being a genuine rival for the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and BMW C-Class. Specs indicate the engines are up to the job, so it comes down to how well it can be priced in Australia. There will be updates for the F-Type coupe and convertible and XF sedan.Styling that echoes the Evoque and a premium interior mark the Discovery Sport, debuting in May. Essentially a replacement for the Freelander, the Sport is a serious off-roader with 600mm wading depth and four-wheel drive. Also expect a Range Rover Sport SVR, Range Rover hybrid and updated Evoque.A compact performance sedan, the RC F will cost $133,500, making it a 'budget' alternative to the Germans. The naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 isn't quite on par with the Euro competition but neither is the price. The GS F mid-sized sedan will use the same engine and is due later in the year, price undisclosed. The NX200 will get a new turbo engine.No new news is still good news for Lotus aspirants. An automatic Exige - the brand's first self-shifter - is due in the second quarter. Expect to pay around $9000 for the clutch-less version, putting the price above $135,000. An updated Evora should land late with less weight and improved interior.An 'affordable' McLaren is due late in the year with an entry level Sport model priced at more than $300,000. That puts it in the higher echelons of Porsche 911 territory - but still well below typical McLaren prices.Australia's top-selling prestige brand rolls out a range of new toys this year to expand its appeal. The action starts with the AMG GT and C63 AMG in the second quarter, both using a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8. Skip ahead to Q3 and there's the new GLE (formerly known as the ML) and GLE coupe SUVs, followed by the CLA Shooting Brake and the much-needed GLC compact SUV. Other updates or variants include the S63 coupe, CLS, B-Class and S500 coupe.The action starts with an entry-level five-door Mini Cooper One at $25,600 in February. It is powered by a three-cylinder engine with 75kW/180Nm. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the John Cooper Works three-door hatch, which will be the Mini with the most mumbo ever when it arrives midyear at an estimated $48,000.There's plenty to whet the appetite for performance enthusiasts, even if it is all clad in existing bodywork. The base V6 and performance GTS Cayenne SUV models are due next month, followed by the Turbo S midyear. An update of the 911 should make it before Christmas and Santa may deliver the new GT4 Cayman at the same time.The XC90 large SUV is due midyear with prices starting from about $90,000. A more affordable alternative will be the V60 Cross Country due late in the year from $65,000. The elevated version of the V60 wagon will be sold in FWD and AWD guise.

Performance and luxury come in pint-sized packages these days. How does Audi's smallest hot hatch compare to the new Mini Cooper S?

Chris Riley road tests and reviews the Mini Cooper D 5-door with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

We never warmed to the Mini Countryman and can't nail the reason why. Perhaps it's too big for a Mini, too puffed up, plain ugly.Whatever the reason, it's not on our wish list but drive it we did last week - the Cooper S automatic front-wheel drive version with a few options (of which there are too many).VALUEIt comes in at $45,000 plus on roads which is a fair old ask for a small SUV-style vehicle, albeit one pitched by Mini as a 'premium' model.DESIGNThey pushed a Mini out in all directions to make Countryman, and it looks a bit like a fish at the front.That's offset by some deft add-ons like roof rails and other body add-ons plus the green colour is a stand out. The inside is excellent in every way, looks, style and function.ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONMechanical revisions earlier this year brought more kit and a more powerful 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. It's the very excellent PSA/BMW engine in this case with 140kW/240Nm hooked up to the front wheels via a six-speed conventional automatic transmission.In this guise, the Countryman is capable of sipping premium unleaded at a claimed 7.8L/100km. The diesel Countryman gets down to nearly half that.So, they gave Countryman more performance this time around, more refinement (smoother, quieter), more tech and more spec. Some driver assist features are included but more are available as options.FEATURESThe model tested scores a decent navigation system, 6.5-inch info screen, an upholstery upgrade to leather, better interior fascia materials, round LED daytime driving lights and heated exterior mirrors.There's a lot more too, including the impressive optional service offer for 70,000km that costs only $850 and a three-year unlimited kilometre warranty.It's a five-door, five-seater wagon with rear tailgate and a reasonable amount of luggage space.DRIVINGA Sport button sharpens up the reflexes but fails to make an impact on troublesome torque steer effect that kicks the front wheels off line under hard acceleration - especially over bumps.But with all that power in a smallish vehicle, the Countryman gets moving rapidly with the slick auto box aiding and abetting.Sounds good too blatting away through a twin outlet exhaust.The ride is a good compromise with plenty of feel through the wheel and the ability to smooth out rough roads without jiggling too much.On the freeway the Countryman whizzes along at the limit without any stress at all. Same around town where the nippy point and squirt nature of the car comes into its own, however the turning circle is too large.

Derek Ogden road tests and reviews the Mini Cooper 5-door at its Australian launch

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the new Mini Cooper 5-door at its Australian launch.

Pricing confirmed for 5-door Mini Cooper, starting from just $27,750.Mini has confirmed pricing for the 5-door version of the Cooper hatchback, with all models priced just $1100 more than their respective three-door models.The five-door Cooper will be available in same three trim levels as the existing three-door, starting with the $27,750 entry-level Cooper before moving on to the mid-spec $32,900 Cooper D turbodiesel and the hot $38,050 Cooper S.Mini have lengthened the wheelbase on accountof the extra doors, giving the five-door an extra 72mm over the three-door for a total of 2567mm. The five-door is also 11mm taller than the three-door.The longer dimensions have also boosted the luggage space. The 278L capacity is 67L more than the three-door.Five-door Cooper drivetrains mirror the existing three-door lineup, starting with the Cooper’s 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. The Cooper S ups the displacement to 2.0-litres, the power to 141kW and the torque to 280Nm.Combined fuel consumption for the Cooper is rated at 4.9L/100km with the standard six speed manual, and 5.0L/100km with the optional six-speed auto.The sportier S is rated at 6.0L/100km for the manual, and 5.5L/100km for the auto.The efficiency-leading Cooper D comes with a 85kW/270Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel, and consumption of 3.8L/100km in manual and 3.9L/100km with the auto.Feature-wise, the five-door Mini Cooper comes with 15-inch alloys, air-con, cruise control, electric windows and mirrors, automatic wipers and lights, LED interior lights, rear fog lights as well as an audio system that has USB, auxiliary and Bluetooth connectivity.The mid-spec Cooper D replaces the air-con with dual-zone climate control and the audio system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen Radio Mini multimedia system. It's controlled via Mini's version of the BMW iDrive interface. There are also front arm rests, fog lights on the front and the alloy wheels are 16-inches.The top-spec Cooper S adds leather/cloth trim, front sports seats and satnav.The five-door Mini Cooper goes on sale in Australia from November 1.

Craig Duff road tests and reviews the new five-door Mini Cooper S at its international launch.

Derek Ogden road tests and reviews the Mini Cooper, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Mini adds $5000 worth of extras to Paceman and Countryman for 2015.More gear for the same asking price - that's the message Mini is sending with its revamped Countryman and Paceman.The BMW-owned British brand has given the pair some extra pep as well for their arrival next month but the claimed $5000 worth of extra gear is likely to generate more interest.The brand says the added features include satnav, audio upgrade and trim tweaks Its dashboard will have a 'new-look" instrument dial layout and air vent controls. Denser sound insulation improve scabin refinement.Cooper S versions of each, and the All4 variant of the Countryman, will pump out an extra 5kW. External changes include LED fog/daytime running lights, heated mirrors and windscreen washers.Countryman owners are not necessarily expected to go off-road - a main road through to the snow is more likely - so in addition to the heating functions there's also a new Offroad styling package standard on Cooper S All4 and Cooper SD All4 variants.Mini says the improvements are worth $5000, but it says it is (generously) absorbing these costs and aligning the prices - the upgraded Countryman and Paceman will start from $34,150, which is a $50 rise for the former and a cut for the latter by $1650.Mini Australia general manager Kai Bruesewitz says the brand is in the middle of 'an exciting and eventful year".'The launch of the all-new Mini Hatch in April heralded a new era in Australia, with enhanced specifications and a major increase in customer value," he says.Sales have perhaps not reflected the maker's excitement, which is why staffers are looking forward to the five-door.So far this year only 1258 Mini vehicles have rolled from showrooms, a 17 per cent drop on its 2013 performance to the same point. Alfa Romeo and Porsche, among others, are outselling Mini.Bruesewitz says there is more to come from the British automotive icon.