Zesty Yellow is the name of the exclusive color that the open Mini had as a test car. With the black bonnet stripes, which are subject to a surcharge, the driving machine resembles Maya the Bee a little. And is at least as manoeuvrable, but much faster.
At the delivery center in Garching near Munich there are numerous test cars from BMW and Mini in one of two halls. I didn’t know anything about the color when I picked up the car. At first I thought it was a brimstone butterfly, but Maya the Bee is better.
In contrast to Maya the Bee, who everyone loves, the color polarizes. I’ve heard everything from “really cool” to “can’t be done at all”. During the test drives, I caught myself greeting other Mini drivers with this color and also looking out for something even brighter on our roads. The winner was a bright green Lamborghini. It’s amazing what colors do.
The current version not only has new accents due to the exclusive color, but also minor adjustments: for example, the radiator grille has been modified somewhat and is slightly larger than before. And the rear lights were designed in a “Union Jack look”, i.e. based on the British flag.
Let’s get to “Mini Maja” and what you have to give BMW credit for: In contrast to the failed successor to the Beetle, the VW Beetle, the Mini is an all-round successful new edition of the cult vehicle. Only Fiat with the 500 managed that well.
However, in a different price range. For the test car as a Mini Cooper S Cabrio, 31,400 euros are called for in the basic configuration. There are also extras totaling 11,300 euros, so that we end up with a final price of 42,700 euros. A lot of money for a car that is more suitable as a chic second car. The navigation alone costs 2250 euros, the automatic with 2000 euros, the “Classic Trim” package (including light package, sports leather steering wheel, LED headlights, rear parking beeper and sports seats for driver and front passenger) even with 2300 euros.
Which brings us to the sports seats. The car is quite tightly tuned, the seats offer very good lateral support. But since the Mini doesn’t want to be a cruiser, but a go-kart, comfort takes a back seat to sportiness.
The nappa steering wheel (350 euros) is thickly coated and feels excellent. With 184 hp, the engine is excellent, the acceleration (about seven seconds to 100 km/h) is great, the car is very agile and whizzes through the corners. There is only praise on the freeway, too – the handling is absolutely safe, even at top speeds. Driving pleasure, the slogan of the parent company BMW also applies here.
But there are also a few things that didn’t completely convince me. One can argue about the round cockpit, it is cult and belongs to the Mini. A great idea is that the roof can also be used like a sunroof. It can be retracted by up to 40 centimeters – at any speed. However, it then pulls very hard on the head, at least if the driver is taller than 190 cm.
On the other hand, the opening time of the top is top. The process takes 18 seconds and is possible up to a speed of 30. However, the view to the rear is limited if the tarpaulin has not been installed. That’s a bit annoying. And one more thing: Chrome buttons look nice, but if you have to hold them for a long time on a hot day for the Mini to expose yourself, you risk getting really hot fingers.
The Mini, especially as the Cooper S, is an absolutely successful driving machine with a great engine. Driving with the top down is a pleasure when you open the roof completely. Even at the back it doesn’t particularly pull. The suitability for travel with more than two people can be argued because of the small trunk, but that’s not the goal of “Mini Maja”. Small, fast, manoeuvrable, that’s the world of the Mini Cooper Cabrio S.
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