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Eric's Autos: Reviewing the 2012 Mini Coupe JCW

Eric Peters on

Which isn't surprising, given the engines are identical. Even the curb weight is identical - or nearly so. The hardtop Mini coupe is actually a bit heavier than the standard Mini. It specs out at 2,557 lbs. vs. 2,535 lbs. for the regular Mini hardtop.

Gas mileage is also virtually identical: The base coupe with 1.6 engine and six-speed stick gets 29 city, 37 highway. Even the high-performance JCW manages a very respectable 25 city, 33 highway.

One fly in the pie, though. All the Mini's engines - including the base non-turbo 1.6 engine - require premium fuel.

ON THE ROAD

If you've driven the regular Mini, then you already know how the Mini coupe drives. Acceleration and handling is indistinguishable. Both are as agile as a greased trout in a cold stream - and just as capable of darting around obstacles and passing through what in almost any other car would be an impossibly small space. Parking is point-and-click easy; in - and out. No backing in, then out - then in and out again. You will have room left over in your garage, too.

The major difference between the two is visibility. In the regular Mini, you've got an almost panoramic view all around, thanks to the high glass that envelopes you. This makes the car easy to drive fast in traffic without second guessing. You know where you are - and you know where other cars are. It also makes the regular Mini's cabin feel even roomier than it is. Like the original 1960s Mini, it's a small car that even very big people can drive - comfortably.

 

But the coupe is a different story. The windshield is much more steeply raked - and the roofline about an inch lower. So far, no problems. Even very tall people (like me - I'm 6 ft. 3) still fit inside with room to spare, including airpsace between the top of my head and the Mini's ceiling. Forward visibility is still ok, too - although not as expansive as in the regular Mini.

The problem comes when you turn your head to see what's coming down the road before pulling into traffic. Because much of what you'll see is the Mini coupe's passenger seat headrest (to your right) which almost entirely occludes the tiny rear quarter window. The unusually shaped roofline conspires to make matters worse.

It tapers backward and then just behind the driver's door, each side of it begins to extend down several inches, kind of like a baseball batter's helmet, as the leading edge of the molded-in roof spoiler sprouts toward the back of the car. It looks neat from the outside, but the downside is that from inside the car, you won't see much to your sides. The view behind is also compromised. You learn to use your mirrors - and your front seat passenger - to confirm what's coming. Have him or her lean out the window and look - before you leap.

AT THE CURB

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