Performance Review: Mini Cooper S Convertible 1.6 - [2004]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mini Cooper Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mini Cooper S Convertible 1.6 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2004. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 and the 2005 SSC Aero SC 8T 6.3L.This particular Mini Cooper has a 1598cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Cooper shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Cooper's Front Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1240 kgs (2733 lbs) this makes the Mini Cooper S Convertible 1.6 in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Mini Cooper shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 1598cc 16V St4 engine produces 168 bhp (125 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 162 lb-ft (219.6 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mini Cooper you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (160.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mini Cooper.

The Mini Cooper has a Power to weight ratio of 135.4 bhp per ton and 130.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2004 Cooper competing with the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (160.3 bhp per ton) or the 1984 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo (160.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mini Cooper generating around 130.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1971 Ford Capri Mk1 RS2600 (155.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1975 Lotus Esprit S1 2.0 (155.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.9 secs, this made the Mini Cooper S Convertible 1.6 as fast as the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the or the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs). This Mini Cooper S Convertible 1.6 is also faster than the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Polo 1.8T GTi (7.70 secs) the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (7.70 secs) the and the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (7.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cooper and the 2003 Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Mini Cooper on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.66 secs @ 87.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2003 Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo (15.59 secs), the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V 182 Cup (15.60 secs), and the 1997 Honda Civic Type R 1.6 16v - EK9 (15.61 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2004 version of the Mini Cooper S Convertible 1.6 has a maximum speed of 134mph.

Top Speed of the 2004 Cooper equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2004 Mini Cooper S Convertible 1.6 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph), the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster 3.5 V6 (145 mph), or the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (145 mph).

Related Links:

2004 Cooper Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mini

Car Comparison