Runflat Technology

Both the MINI Cooper Convertible and the MINI Cooper S Convertible offer runflat tire technology. The reinforced sidewalls of the runflat tires, along with heat-resistant rubber compounds help maintain the tire's integrity even with a loss of air pressure. This technology helps to keep the deflated tire from completely collapsing or jumping off the rim while keeping frictional heat at a minimum.

The MINI Cooper Convertible comes with runflat tires when the vehicle is equipped with the optional 16-inch wheels. The MINI Cooper S Convertible comes standard with runflat tires when the car is equipped with either the standard 16 inch wheels of the optional 17 inch wheels. The MINI Convertible can continue for up to 90 miles at speeds up to 50 mph with no air pressure in the tires.

As an additional tire safety measure, the MINI Cooper Convertible and the MINI Cooper S Convertible both come standard with a tire monitoring system. This system alerts the driver to any potential issue with regard to integrity of one or more tires. 

When a tire loses pressure, its roll radius and circumference changes, which causes the wheel to rotate at a higher speed. The tire monitoring system uses the ABS sensors to compare the average rotational speed of each wheel in relation to the other wheels. If the average rotational speed of one wheel differs enough to fall out of the rotation average of all wheels - such as in the event of a loss of pressure - the tire monitoring system will alert the driver. The alert comes in the form of an audible chime and an amber blinking indicator light in the gauge cluster.


POWER TO THE PEOPLE

Get Your Motor Running

The 1.6 liter four cylinder engines that power the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S hardtops are shared with their Convertible counterparts.

The engine block in both models is constructed of sturdy cast iron, which reduces engine noise and vibration. The cylinder head is aluminum, and features four hydraulically compensated valves per cylinder that are driven by an overhead camshaft with roller-type rocker arms.

Proven in the MINI Cooper hardtop, the engine in the MINI Cooper Convertible provides responsive power and motoring fun. The normally aspirated 1.6-liter unit in the MINI Cooper Convertible generates a maximum output of 115 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and develops maximum torque of 111 lb.-ft. at 4,500 rpm


Convertible "S" Power

2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible features a 1.6 liter supercharged power plant. Performance output with its low-restriction exhaust and modified gear ratios is 168 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. This allows the S Convertible to accelerate from zero to 60 in just 7.0 seconds and achieve a top speed of 138 mph.

In the MINI Cooper S, this 16-valve unit's performance is further enhanced by a mechanically driven supercharger and intercooler. The supercharger compresses the fresh air drawn in by the engine to a pressure of 0.8 bar. Since the air warms up in this compression process, it is then cooled by an intercooler before entering the combustion chambers, thus ensuring a significant increase in engine charge, output, and performance.

Delivering the performance required in a MINI Cooper S results in increased thermal and mechanical loads on the power unit. Therefore a number of components such as the crankshaft, pistons, valves, radiator, and engine management parameters have been specially modified for this model.

Driven by a toothed belt, the compressor, unlike an exhaust gas turbocharger, does not have the usual time-lag in its response, but rather builds up torque until peaking at 162 lb-ft at a very useable 4,000 rpm.

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