“Rum.”
“You think?” she said.
“Oh, definitely. That colour is rum; Bundy Rum to be precise.”
“Really?” M’lady was giving me that look which says ‘I’m calling BS here.’
“How about we drive up to Bundaberg and you can see for yourself. They do tours there too I think.”
She picked up the iPad, and quickly sourced the Bundaberg Rum website. Tours had to be pre-booked, the only opening that day was at noon. We were some 400km away and had a deadline to meet back in Brisbane at 6pm. A 900km round trip with an hour long tour in the middle, and it was already 7:30am.
“Let’s go!”
“Quick Robin, to Bundaberg, in the Bat Coupe!”
The MINI Coupe has that effect. It makes you want to find a reason, any reason, to jump in and go somewhere. And by design it’s a car made for people who want to be seen – introverts need not apply.
Here is a car that screams attitude, from it’s roofline derived from a baseball cap worn backwards to the spoiler that rises from the boot lid when you exceed 80kph. Who else has a feature that says ‘I’m speeding, and I don’t care that you know it’?
Fun though is what it’s really all about. It’s like the brief to the design team at Oxford was to distill the very essence of being MINI, and bottle it in a rum-coloured Coupe package. (Okay, officially it’s Spice Orange, but in my book, it’s Rum.)
The Inside Story
Maybe it’s because I’m used to the open environment of a Cabrio, but climbing into the cabin of the MINI Coupe was akin to strapping into a cockpit. Typical of a sports car you do have to bend and twist a little to gain access, but its worth it. Everything fell easily to hand, while the combination cloth/leather upholstery on the sports seats securely ensconced me. The ambient lighting just enhanced the experience at night.
If you’ve ever been at the wheel of a MINI before, then you’ll feel right at home. Everything from the stubby steering wheel to the plate sized command centre-cum-speedo in the centre of the console carries over from the hatch. A digital speedo sits squarely in front of the driver in the tacho pod. Maybe next year they’ll give it a heads-up display.
Inside, the roof seems much closer, but a friend who is 6’6″ in the old language claimed he had more head room; perhaps the seats are set lower in the body. The windows are noticeably narrower than on the other MINIs; this tends to darken the interior a little as well as cut back on some of the visibility. But it does add to the sporty schtick.
On the highway north from Redcliffe we came to appreciate the extra space afforded by the removal of the rear seats. With limited time for stops, hours were spent inside this cosy cabin, and being able to wriggle around made it a more pleasant journey.
So too did the sound system, a 6-speaker treat that made the most of the music emanating from the iPhone via bluetooth connection. The controls for this and a few other features were on the steering wheel for the driver’s convenience.
Another plus for this two-seater is a real boot. Open the lid to this space and you could be forgiven for thinking this is a giant fast-back hatch – it is a massive maw to behold.
According to the literature there is about 280 litres of space for you to fill, which is more even than the Clubman, and way more than an MX-5. There’s also a panel that allows access from the cabin into the boot, and some space behind the seats for small items.
Pretty on the Outside
While we were nicely hidden away, the exterior was on show to the world. Without a doubt the roof sets the Coupe apart from anything else on the road. I was in two minds about its aesthetic appeal, but most people were very positive. Many people came up and asked what make it was, and were genuinely surprised it was a MINI.
Underneath the car all the good stuff that makes a MINI handle like a Mini is there. The fully independent suspension and 17″ wheels with quality run flats keeps the body glued to the blacktop. The trade-off is a harsher ride than your family sedan might offer, but then you aren’t travelling with the family – this one’s for you.
As tested this Coupe had bi-Xenon headlamps with headlamp washers in a black shell, front and rear fog lights, 17″ wheels and cruise control. The black-finished wheels and grille gave the car a very purposeful look, while the optional pinstriping added to the sports appeal.
Road Tripping
In the world of MINI, there are three levels of awesomeness – Cooper (Standard), Cooper S (think Sportier) and JCW ( think there goes my license). There’s also Cooper D (for Diesel), but that’s not available in the Coupe yet. Neither is the standard Cooper. You just get fast (Cooper S), and faster (JCW).
Which is great when you have a road trip planned like we had. The ride is firm (remember it’s the sporty variant) not helped by having run flat tyres gripping the road. You’ll feel the bumps, but you’ll appreciate that extra feel when you get to the corners.
Power from the 1600cc twin scroll turbo engine comes in manageable doses, and at usable revs. Stretch those revs towards the red zone, and you’ll be rewarded with a notable burble from the twin exhausts. Overtaking on the highway was a breeze – take a run up in 6th where 100kph equals 2000rpm, or knock it back to 5th and get excited by the way this car picks up its skirts and runs!
Oddly the Coupe weighs more than the Hatch, but the brakes are more than a match and will pull you up safely and predictably. And if they don’t you’re well protected with all the best in safety gizmos, from airbags to pretensioned seat belts, and plethora of acronyms like EBD, ESP,etc.
And the Winner Is…
Anyone who gets to have one. Seriously, it’s the funnest way to get to work, and you won’t be lost for things to talk about in the car park.
Nothing comes close for looks, and few can match it’s handling out of the box. It’s economical to run, and with the huge boot it’s practical.
But you won’t buy it for that. This is a purchase of the heart, and your brain won’t get a look in. You’ll want it because it says everything about you, and your take on the world. No other car can express attitude like this one.
And it comes in Rum! Take a drive to Bundy; see for yourself.
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