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2013 MINI Cooper Coupe Preview

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Justin Pritchard
Price Range: $25,950 and up

Description: With an eye for sporty driving, the two-seater MINI Cooper Coupe is the lightest and most agile model in the MINI lineup. Iconic MINI design elements are applied to this striking new model, which features a steeply raked rear windshield, tapered roofline and self-deploying rear spoiler. Projector lights, large alloy wheels and any combination of stripes, colours and chrome the owner likes are all part of the package.

Best of all, with three models to choose from (MINI Cooper Coupe, MINI Cooper S Coupe or MINI John Cooper Works Coupe), there’s a model that’s just right for virtually any need or budget. Of course, MINI’s exhaustive range of accessories and custom touches are available to shoppers after added exclusivity.

Photo: MINI

Drivetrain: All 2013 MINI Cooper Coupe models are powered by a 4-cylinder that drives the front wheels. Standard is a proven 1.6L, 121 horsepower mill that’s available paired with manual or automatic transmissions. Step up to the Cooper S Coupe, and MINI tosses a turbocharger into the mix, bumping output to 181 horsepower and enabling 0-100 km/h sprints in as low as 6.9 seconds. The top-performing MINI John Cooper Works Coupe sees output dialed up even further, with output rated at 208 horsepower.

Consider it if: good on gas, fun to drive, instantly recognizable, and extremely sporty are descriptors on the wish list for your next ride. Also, especially in John Cooper Works trim, the MINI Cooper Coupe is ready for motorsports activities.

Skip it if: you need more than two seats, more than 208 horsepower or a highly spacious cabin.

Other Notes: Feature content? Oh, yes. Outside, look for chrome accents, projector headlights, a heated rear window, and fog lamps. On board, leather-wrapped accents, automatic climate control, mood lighting, and a full range of power accessories can be specified. Auxiliary audio inputs, Bluetooth, push-button start, and colour-keyed accents add connectivity, convenience, and style. Performance and visual upgrades from John Cooper Works can be added to any model.

Don’t Miss: The twin-scroll turbocharger. This kicks in at a moment’s notice with near-nil lag, translating into a seamless and robust power curve.

Torsional reinforcements have been incorporated into the bulkhead behind the front seats, which stiffens up the Cooper Coupe’s body structure and increases agility and ride quality. The trunk behind this bulkhead is rated for 280 litres of storage space, and features a pass-through compartment for easy loading of larger or longer items.

A Sport button, available on select models, instantly dials in a more responsive steering calibration, more aggressive throttle-pedal response and a louder exhaust note.

The rear spoiler on the 2013 MINI Cooper Coupe auto-deploys to create additional downforce when drivers exceed 80 km/h.

Available bi-xenon headlamps provide world-class illumination after dark, utilizing xenon technology on both low and high-beams. Xenon produces a crisp, white light that’s easier on the driver’s eyes, translating into reduced vision fatigue on long trips after dark.

Justin Pritchard
Justin Pritchard
Automotive expert
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