MINI Roadster Overview: Specs, Generations, and Which One to Buy
MINI Roadster specs and buying guide for the 2011–2015 two-seater: one generation, 122–211 hp, eight modifications, with the versions worth picking out.
The MINI Roadster is a two-seat roadster built from 2011 to 2015 in a single generation, with outputs spanning 122 to 211 hp across eight modifications, all front-wheel drive with manual or automatic gearboxes. Anyone checking mini roadster specs before buying gets a compact open-top car that suits drivers who want nimble handling in a small footprint rather than rear seats or cargo space.
MINI Roadster generations
1 generation (2011–2015)
The first and only generation of the MINI Roadster was produced from 2011 to 2015 exclusively as a roadster body. Power ranges from 122 to 211 hp across 8 modifications, every one of them front-wheel drive, offered with both manual and automatic transmissions. The lineup includes 1.6-litre (1598 cc) petrol versions and a 2.0-litre (1995 cc) diesel. The MINI Roadster 1.6 MT (184 hp) reaches 100 km/h in 7.0 seconds, while the range-topping 1.6 AT delivers 211 hp from the same 1598 cc displacement. The 2.0 MT diesel produces 143 hp and consumes just 4.5 l/100 km.
Which MINI Roadster to buy
- 1.6 MT (184 hp) (1 generation): the volume choice — 7.0 seconds to 100 km/h with 6.0 l/100 km consumption, the quickest sprint figure in the data.
- 1.6 AT (211 hp) (1 generation): the most powerful version at 211 hp from its 1598 cc engine, paired with an automatic gearbox.
- 2.0 MT (1 generation): the efficiency pick — a 1995 cc diesel with 143 hp, 8.1 seconds to 100 km/h, and 4.5 l/100 km, the lowest consumption in the range.
- 1.6 AT (184 hp) (1 generation): the same 184 hp as the manual with automatic convenience — 7.2 seconds to 100 km/h and 6.6 l/100 km.
Since every MINI Roadster on the used market comes from the single 2011–2015 generation, there are no cross-generation differences to weigh: the choice comes down to engine, gearbox, and condition. With only eight modifications and one drivetrain layout, comparing candidate cars is straightforward.
Which MINI Roadster to avoid
The MINI Roadster 1.6 AT (184 hp) is dominated by the 1.6 MT (184 hp) on the numbers: identical 184 hp and 1598 cc, but the manual is quicker (7.0 vs 7.2 seconds to 100 km/h) and thriftier (6.0 vs 6.6 l/100 km). Choose the automatic only if a self-shifting gearbox is a requirement in itself.