Review: MINI F57 Convertible (2016-on)

Review: MINI F57 Convertible (2016-18)

Overview

Officially released in Australia in April 2016, the MINI F57 Convertible was a two-door, four-seat convertible. Manufactured in England, the front-wheel drive MINI Convertible range consisted of Cooper and Cooper S variants that were powered by 1.5-litre three-cylinder and 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines, while six-speed automatic transmissions were standard.

In May 2016, the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible was released.

Engines and transmissions

Of the engines,

• For the Cooper Convertible, the 1.5-litre B38 B15 three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine had an alloy block and cylinder head, direct fuel injection, double overhead camshafts, variable intake and exhaust camshaft control (‘double VANOS’), four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve lift (‘Valvetronic’) and a compression ratio of 11.0:1;
• For the Cooper S Convertible, the 2.0-litre B48 A20M0 four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine has the same alloy construction and technologies, albeit with a twin scroll turbocharger and an 11.0:1 compression ratio; and,
• For the Cooper JCW, the 2.0-litre B48 B20 turbocharged petrol engine is understood to have higher boost pressure and a compression ratio of 10.2:1.

All engines were compliant with Euro 6 emissions standards and had an ‘auto start/stop’ function which enabled them to shut down when the vehicle was stationary. To further minimise fuel consumption, the MINI F57 Convertible has on-demand operation of the alternator, fuel pump, coolant pump and other ancillary units. The Cooper S also had selectable drive modes – MID, Sport and Green – which provided distinct settings for throttle response, steering sensitivity and engine acoustics; Cooper S models with automatic transmissions, the Green driving mode included a coasting function which could decouple the drivetrain to reduce engine braking.

Body and dimensions

Compared to the MINI F55/F56 Cooper with which it shared its architecture, the body of the MINI F57 Convertible had torsion struts in the front and rear areas of the underbody, reinforced side sills and a stiffening plate underneath the engine.

Compared to the MINI R57 Cabrio which it replaced, the MINI F57 Convertible was 98 mm longer (at 3821 mm), 44 mm wider (1727 mm), 1 mm taller (1415 mm) and had a 28 mm longer wheelbase (2495 mm); with its roof up, the MINI F57 Convertible has a drag coefficient of 0.34 Cd. Furthermore, track width was increased by 42 mm at the front and 34 mm at the rear to 1501 mm and 1485 mm, respectively.

The MINI F57 Convertible had boot space of 215 litres with the roof up and 160 litres with the roof down. The MINI Convertible’s tailgate opened downwards and could support a weight of up to 80 kg and, when the soft top roof was closed, the MINI Convertible’s luggage compartment opening could be expanded by using the ‘Easy Load’ function whereby two locking handles enable the soft top frame to be raised so that large luggage items can be stowed. Furthermore, the 50:50 split and folding rear backrest had a through-loading facility.

Soft-top roof

The MINI F57 Convertible hads a fully automatic, power-operated soft-top roof that could be opened or closed in 18 seconds and while travelling at speeds of up to 30 km/h. The soft-top roof also had a sliding function which allowed the front section of the top to be retracted ‘to continuously variable levels by up to 40 centimetres.’ As an extra-cost option, the MINI Convertible was available with a wind deflector that could be locked into position behind the driver and front passenger seats to reduce air turbulence during open-top driving.

Suspension and steering

The MINI F57 Convertible had a single-joint MacPherson strut front axle and multi-link rear axle with trailing arms. The MINI Convertible was also available with electronically-controlled dampers (‘Dynamic Damper Control’) which enabled the driver to select from standard and sports settings; for the MINI John Cooper Works Control, Dynamic Damper Control was fitted as standard.

The MINI F57 Convertible had electromechanical power steering with speed-sensitive power assistance (‘Servotronic’) and a 14.0:1 steering ratio. Furthermore, the MINI Convertible had a turning circle of 10.8 metres.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the MINI Convertible included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted airbags with pelvis/thorax protection, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, corner braking control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

The MINI F57 Convertible had fully integrated rollover bars – made of high-strength aluminium – which could deploy within 150 milliseconds by means of a pyrotechnic trigger once a rollover risk is detected.

Features: MINI F57 Convertible Cooper

Standard features for the MINI Convertible Cooper included 6.5J x 16-inch ‘Loop Spoke’ alloy wheels with 195/55 R16 tyres, ‘MINI Visual Boost’ multimedia system with four speakers, a 6.5-inch display, USB connectivity, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, cloth ‘Firework’ upholstery, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, halogen headlights, a rear fog light, rear parking sensors, rear view camera with guidance lines, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, leather steering wheel, 50/50 split fold rear seats, power adjustable mirrors, power windows, a height and reach adjustable steering column, push-button start, velour floor mats, ‘Hazy Grey’ interior trim, tyre pressure monitoring, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

As standard, the MINI Convertible Cooper was fitted with the ‘MINI Mobility System’ which consisted of a tyre repair kit.

Features: MINI F57 Convertible Cooper S

Compared to the MINI Convertible Cooper, the Convertible Cooper S was further equipped with 7.0J x 17-inch ‘Tentacle Spoke’ alloy wheels with 205/45 R17 tyres, MINI Navigation System, combination cloth/leather upholstery (‘Diamond Carbon Black’), sports front seats, LED headlights (including LED daytime running lights), LED front fog lights, John Cooper Works steering wheel with perforated leather and gearshift paddles and ‘Black Chequered’ interior trim.

Visually, the MINI Convertible Cooper S could be identified by its bonnet scoop, black honeycomb insert for the radiator grille, chrome side scuttles and dual central exhaust pipes with chrome finish.

Features: MINI F57 John Cooper Works Convertible

Compared to the Cooper S, the John Cooper Works Convertible was fitted with 18-inch John Cooper Works Race Spoke alloy wheels with 205/40 R18 run-flat tyres and upgraded brakes with four-piston Brembo calipers for the front wheels. The John Cooper Works Convertible also had retuned suspension and electromechanical power steering.

Inside, the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible featured bucket seats with integrated headrests in Dinamica/fabric, a 410 watt Harman Kardon HiFi system with an eight-channel amplifier and twelve speakers, digital radio tuner (DAB+), MINI’s ‘Professional’ navigation system (included an 8.8-inch screen with split view function, 3D maps, touchpad controller, voice recognition and 20 GB hard drive), front parking sensors, reversing camera with guide lines and head-up display (HUD). The John Cooper Works Convertible also had a ‘Park Assist’ function which could provide automated steering inputs for parking manoeuvres.

Visually, the John Cooper Works Convertible could be identified by its front apron with large cooling air inlets, unique radiator grille, wheel arch surrounds, side scuttles and rear apron with ‘JCW’ badging.

Related links

• BMW Group: The new MINI Convertible

Review: MINI F57 LCI Convertible (2018-on)

Overview

Released in Australia in July 2018, the MINI F57 LCI Convertible introduced seven-speed double clutch transmissions, an eight-speed automatic transmission for the John Cooper Works variant and subtle styling changes. For the engines,

• FFuel efficiency was improved through enhancements to engine electronics, oil supply, intake air ducting, the cooling system and the exhaust systems. The engine covers were also be made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) to reduce mass; and,
• For the petrol engines, maximum pressure for direct fuel injection increased from 200 bar to 350 bar.

Like the automatic transmissions in the F57 Convertible, the double clutch transmissions for the F57 LCI Convertible supported the ‘auto start/stop’ and ‘coasting’ functions in the ‘MID’ and ‘GREEN’ drive modes.

Visually, the MINI F57 LCI Convertible could be identified by an outer black panel for the standard halogen headlights and a new ‘flat design’ MINI logo which appears on the bonnet, tailgate, steering wheel and central instrument display; the Cooper S and John Cooper Works variants also had:

• LED headlights which had integrated LED daytime running lights and LED turn indicators; and,
• A ‘Union Jack’ design for the LED tail-lights.

The F57 LCI Convertible was available with five new paint finishes (Solaris Orange, Emerald Grey metallic, Starlight Blue metallic, Melting Silver and Chili Red) and three new alloy wheel designs (Roulette Spoke 2-tone, Propeller Spoke 2-tone and Rail Spoke 2-tone).

Inside, the MINI F57 LCI Convertible had a new three-spoke steering wheel with multi-function buttons, while the standard audio system had a 6.5-inch colour screen, USB input and Bluetooth interface.

April 2019 update

From April 2019, the MINI F57 LCI Convertible was fitted – as standard – with a ‘Driver Assistant Package’ which consisted of the following technologies –

• Forward Collision Warning: a camera-based system which could anticipate collisions with vehicles or pedestrians ahead. If this occurred, a visual warning would first appear in the instrument cluster, followed by an acoustic warning if the collision risk persisted. Furthermore, the braking system would be prepared for rapid response;
• City Crash Mitigation (CCM) if the driver failed to react to the collision warnings, the brakes would be automatically applied to reduce vehicle speed and the severity of the collision;
• High Beam Assistant: controlled the high beam headlights according to prevailing light levels and oncoming vehicles to avoid dazzling other drivers; and,
• Speed Limit Info: a camera-based system which could detect road signs and display the current speed limit to the driver.

Features: MINI F57 LCI Convertible

For the MINI F57 LCI Convertible, standard features were extended to 16-inch alloy wheels (previously 15-inch wheels) with 195/55 R16 tyres, a six speaker HiFi system (previously four speakers) with digital radio tuner, a 6.5-inch touchscreen display with navigation and real-time traffic information, Bluetooth connectivity with wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, a USB audio interface, a front armrest with secondary USB port, dusk-sensing headlights and a reversing camera with guidance lines.

The MINI Cooper S and John Cooper Works gained LED headlights, while Cooper S models with the double clutch transmission were also equipped with a John Cooper Works sports leather steering wheel and launch control function.

April 2019 update

From April 2019,

• The MINI F57 LCI Cooper, Cooper S and JCW Convertibles were fitted with ‘Comfort Access’ (i.e. proximity key) as standard; and,
• The MINI Cooper S Convertible was fitted – as standard – with a ‘Professional Navigation System’ which had an 8.8-inch touchscreen.

Specifications

• Specification Guide: MINI F57 LCI Convertible (March 2018)

Related links

• BMW Press: the new MINI 3 door, 5 door and Convertible (January 2018)
• BMW Press: double clutch transmissions in the MINI (December 2017)
• Wikipedia.org: MINI F55 and F56 Cooper