Mini Coupe Roadster. Travel Blog. Una Mini Aventura, Part Two

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It is some considerable time before we realize that the pursuing Cooper has dropped back. Having hit the mid-point watering hole, we pull over to swap places and wait for the rest of our convoy to catch up.

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Priced around the $30,000 mark, neither the Roadster nor the JWS Cooper hits supercar territory. Yet the identifiable quirkiness of both Minis clearly has an effect on the locals, several of whom wander over for a closer look.

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Back on the road and now in the passenger seat, my thoughts turn to the interior, where Mini’s heritage is clear to see. The Centre Speedo – which, thanks to a digital display behind the wheel, I had ignored while driving – doubles up as the onboard monitor, retro styling melding neatly with satnav and cruise control readouts.

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On the centre console, switches pulled straight out of a fifties car brochure sit affixed to high quality BMW Group trim. Though often it is the passenger who spends time looking for the necessary buttons.