2012 Mini Cooper Roadster Priced: Base, $25,050; Cooper S, $28,050; JCW, $35,200

November 17, 2011 at 12:15pm by Alexander Stoklosa

Mini recently revealed its new 2012 Roadster, a convertible version of its rakish Coupe, and now it has announced pricing. The base Cooper Roadster starts at a fairly reasonable $25,050. Next up is the turbocharged Cooper S, which rings in at a pricey $28,050. Finally, the range-topping John Cooper Works version will set you back an eye-watering $35,200. Those prices are between $2750 and $3300 more than an equivalent Mini Coupe.

The two-seat Roadster’s pricing is actually $600 cheaper in each spec than the Mini Convertible (which has two vestigial rear seats); we’d have expected it to cost more, given that Mini charges between a $1300 and $1800 premium for a Coupe over the standard Hardtop. Plus, the Roadster looks way cooler than the conventional Mini Convertible, so we’ll award points for avoiding a style tax. It must be noted, however, that a 412-hp, rear-drive 2012 Ford Mustang GT convertible costs just $305 more than the 208-horse JCW. If you prefer your top-down motor to be tiny and front-wheel drive, though, your first opportunity to purchase a 2012 Mini Roadster will be in February.

Tags: Mini, Mini Roadster, pricing |

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The B-Specs Keep Coming! Mini Joins the Fray with Turnkey Cooper Hardtop Race Car

November 16, 2011 at 1:57pm by Alexander Stoklosa

Mini has announced that it, too, will get in on the new B-Spec racing action with a race-prepped Mini Cooper Hardtop. Mini USA has partnered with Mini of Charleston, South Carolina, to offer B-Spec–compliant turnkey Cooper race cars. Like most of the other participating automakers, Mini will also sell Spec-ready conversion kits for those who already own a 2007-2012 Mini Cooper and have the racing itch.

Who knew small, cheap race cars with their own competitive racing class would catch on? The 2012 SCCA, Grand Am, NASA, and World Challenge seasons haven’t begun yet and already the B-Spec field is crowded. The Mini B-Spec racer, per B-Spec regulations, is mostly stock—its engine produces the same 121 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque as a normal Cooper. It gets required safety equipment like a roll cage, racing seat and harness, and a window net. The Mini rides on KW V1 coil-overs and the brakes get heavier-duty pads and braided lines. Finally, the Cooper rolls on a set of itty-bitty 15-inch alloy wheels and Hoosier racing slicks. Like Mazda, Mini backs amateur race drivers with its Motorsport Awards Program, which awards cash prizes for racing successes.

Mini USA will announce pricing for both the racing kits and the fully prepped, turnkey Coopers closer to the start of the 2012 racing season. In the meantime, the company will show off a B-Spec prototype at this week’s L.A. auto show. We don’t know about you, but the Car and Driver office is geeking out over a racing series for inexpensive, buzzy little hatchbacks.

Tags: Mini, Mini Cooper |

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