By: Joshua Lee
September 4, 2023
It’s hard to believe that autumn is just around the corner when we’ve been enjoying these hot summer days. Backyard barbecues, camping, and countless outdoor festivals are some of the ways we relax and spend time with our friends and family. Summer is also the time when convertibles reappear, and we have one that’s sure to entice you to soak up the sun.
Celebrating 30 years of drop-top fun, MINI has released a special edition model for their Cooper S Convertible, the Seaside Edition. This coast-inspired convertible is sure to turn heads with a striking Caribbean Aqua paint finish, unique ‘Seaside 30’ insignia, two-tone 18-inch Pulse Spoke alloy wheels, and floating Seaside Edition wheel caps. It’s nicely accented with Aspen White door handles, a fuel cap, MINI logos, exterior light surrounds, and double stripes along the side of its body.
The Cooper S Convertible is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. The Seaside Edition is only available in the Cooper S trim, and it’s preppy enough to drive around town. This is particularly great for those who don’t necessarily want to go up to the John Cooper Works level, as it’s tuned stiffer. The seven-speed automatic dual clutch transmission is quick to shift and keeps up when you floor it. We recommend putting the car into Sport Mode, as it sharpens throttle and steering response. Usually, you will be able to hear some pops from the exhaust in this mode, but we just had more pumped-in engine noise, which isn’t bad when the top is down.
Speaking of the top, MINI convertibles offer flexibility with their 3-in-1 soft top. In 18 seconds, you can raise or lower the top completely, and it’s operable up to 30 km/h. There is also a sunroof mode for when you want a bit of sun. Just remember to bring a hat, as there is no wind deflector up top, so hair will be pushed into your face as you drive in this mode. MINI does include a wind deflector for the rear seats, which helps with buffeting when the top is fully down.
You are able to seat four in the Cooper S Convertible; our model has the MINI Yours Leather Lounge Carbon Black interior with heated front seats. It’s quick to find your driving position, while the newly updated 8.8″ touchscreen infotainment system is responsive and fun with its ‘Openometer’ which records how long you’ve spent driving with the top down. There is an outer LED ring that acts as a rev counter, has ambient lighting, and has different animations when selecting menu items. Seaside Edition door sill finishers and floormats, a Walknappa steering wheel, and ’30 Years of Convertible’ on the dashboard trim add to the exclusivity of this model. The 5.5″ digital driver’s display and head-up display are straightforward, so you can keep your eyes on the road and enjoy the driving experience.
The rear seats are tight for adults and feel a little claustrophobic when the top is up, but for short rides, there shouldn’t be much to complain about. The rear seats also fold down 50/50, offering up to 215L of cargo capacity. MINI has its Easy Load Function, which only works when the top is up. This function lets you push up on the roof base so there is more space to load cargo.
For a vehicle this size, it’s incredibly easy to park. MINI does give you a backup camera and parking sensors, just in case. Our model is fitted with the Driver Assistant system, which uses its camera system to monitor traffic. It comes with forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. In the event of a rollover, the discreetly designed safety bar is frame-mounted and is located behind the rear seats.
According to National Resources Canada, the fuel economy rating for the Cooper S Convertible is 8.8L/100KM city, 6.5L/100KM highway, and 7.8 L/100 km combined, 7.8L/100KM. During our week, we’ve achieved 7.4L/100KM.
The price for the MINI Cooper S Convertible starts at $38,290. The Seaside Edition is a $3400 package, and it’s tagged on to the Premier+ 2.0 package, which is an additional $9300. The total cost for this special edition convertible is $50,990.
MINIs are known to provide a fun go-karting experience, and it always brings a smile when you know the car is performing the way you want it to. The MINI Convertible is playful and attractive; it’s instantly recognizable with its iconic design. It’s surprisingly practical and premium-feeling, which matches the price tag. The Seaside Edition is a great celebration of 30 years and is extremely limited, as 500 units are available for the U.S., 300 units for the U.K., and only 60 units for Canada! It was delightful picking up that blue 3D-printed key and relishing the remaining days of summer.
