The rear seats are quite high and the roll bars make it even more difficult to see rearward. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

Perhaps the "S" in Cooper S stands for safety (OK, I know it really doesn't but work with me on this one). After all, safety is a top priority with the German auto manufacturer. You could even say, safety is first; F.I.R.S.T. meaning Fully Integrated Road Safety Technology, a combination of safety features that include intelligent front airbags, head and thorax side airbags, and a structure designed for crash protection, including rollovers, with a reinforced windshield frame and rear roll bars. Hands down, it's as safe as convertibles come.

While safety and performance are on the top of the Cooper S' characteristics sheet, visibility isn't. I can honestly say that visibility out the back is pretty bad. The rear seats are quite high and the roll bars make it even more difficult to see rearward. I don't think anyone will disagree with me on this one, but to make matters better the park distance control (PDC) feature is standard on each convertible, to aid parallel parking and backing up. It beeps when the car's bumper is in close proximity to another vehicle, curb, or even a child.

To summarize, MINI's Cooper S Cabriolet is as fun and rejuvenating as cars come. It's so refreshing to have an automobile on the market that triggers the happy vibes when the grumpy, tired and hungry ones are dominating. It's a breath of fresh air, especially with the top down.

Specifications (Cooper S Cabriolet):

Price Range (MSRP):$36,500 - $38,250
Body Type: 2-door convertible
Layout: front engine, FWD
Engine: 170-hp, 162 lb-ft of torque, 1.6L, 16-valve, DOHC, supercharged I-4
Transmission: 6-spd manual (optional 5-spd auto with manual mode)
Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, CBC, EBD
Seating Capacity: 4
Cargo Volume (seats folded): 603 L (21.3 cu ft)
Curb Weight: 1,290 kg (2,844 lbs)
Optional (S) Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 7.4 seconds
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 9.5 / 6.7 L/100 km (6-spd manual)
Warranty (mo/km): 48/80,000 comprehensive
Competitors: Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible, PT Cruise Convertible, MazdaSpeed Miata
Web Site: www.mini.ca