Lid lifted on latest MINI cabrio

By Conor Mills

03rd December 2008

It’s not only Audi that’s looking to make the news with a drop-top stunner. MINI’s new Convertible has also broken cover – and given the success of the previous model, it’s no surprise bosses have high hopes for the stylish machine.

These first official pictures of the soft-top – due in dealers in March – reveal an evolutionary design. The makeover includes the addition of a raised shoulder line, plus a chrome strip around the car. But the trademark circular headlamps and hexagonal grille remain. A large bonnet vent marks out the Cooper S model in our pictures, as do a rear diffuser and twin exhaust pipes. Its Interchange Yellow finish is one of two new colours, alongside Horizon Blue.

The new cabriolet will make full use of parent firm BMW’s EfficientDynamics eco-friendly tweaks. On MINIs the package is called Minimalism, and it sees CO2 cut by 18 per cent on the Cooper and 15 per cent on the Cooper S – even though both have more power, at 120bhp and 175bhp respectively.

One thing that remains is the two-stage electrically operated canvas roof. As before, it can be opened partially to act as a sunroof, as well as retracted fully. What’s more, the soft-top is available in black, denim blue and chocolate fabrics.

Crucially, the previous MINI’s twin roll hoops are replaced by a new single-piece unit which runs the entire width of the car, below the rear headrests. This extends in milliseconds in the event of an impact to protect occupants – plus, it no longer obscures the rear view.

Owners can measure how long they’ve had the roof down, using the optional ‘Openometer’, while air-con is standard. Prices start at £15,995 for the Cooper, with the Cooper S at £18,995.

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