First look at the new MINI Convertible. Image: BMW.Having already successfully revived something of an ailing brand through its updated Mini and Mini Clubman, parent company Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) has this week revealed the first glimpse at its brand new front-wheel drive Mini Convertible. According to AutoWeek, the revised version of BMW's popular compact soft top will arrive with revised bodywork and fresh detailing, while, beneath the outward aesthetic updating, the car will also boast an enhanced chassis and a tweaked engine bay. While the design of the new Mini's front end remains faithful to the existing product line, the back end has received substantial alteration in order to allow for an Edscha-made soft roof canopy that folds in behind the car's rear seats. The roof retracts and extends in a mere 15 seconds and can be deployed while the vehicle is travelling at speeds up to 20mph; and, for those not looking to be completely barracked by the whistling winds, the roof can also be retracted partially to create a breezy sunroof effect. According to BMW, the total weight of the new Mini Convertible is around 2,690lbs, which is a reduction of some 22lbs (approx. 10kg) when compared to the original Cooper S soft-top model. That weight loss comes despite the new model receiving the benefit of enforced rigidity along with added safety thanks to the installation of sensor-equipped roll bar tubing directly behind the rear passenger seats. Interestingly, the roll tube actually extends to protect occupants if the car should be rolled during an accident. Other new or revised features include BMW Efficient Dynamics technology such as stop-start and brake energy regeneration for improved fuel consumption and reduced emissions – along with rumours of the somewhat odd and seemingly pointless Openometer dashboard gauge, which records how far the vehicle has travelled with the top down. Expected to arrive in a total of five different specification flavours, the new Mini Convertible line will consist of the entry level 1.4 litre, four-cylinder One (110 bhp), the 1.6 litre, four-cylinder Cooper D diesel (110 bhp), the 1.6 litre, four-cylinder Cooper (120 bhp), the turbo-equipped 1.6 litre, four-cylinder Cooper S (170 bhp), and the turbocharged 1.6-litre, four-cylinder John Cooper Works model (211 bhp). Note: The two 110 bhp models and the 211 bhp John Cooper model are not likely to arrive until the latter part of 2009. Set to roll off production lines in the U.S. in the spring of 2009, just in time for perfect top-down weather, the newest entrant to BMW's Mini line will be given its public début during January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.
First look at the new MINI Convertible. Image: BMW.
Having already successfully revived something of an ailing brand through its updated Mini and Mini Clubman, parent company Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) has this week revealed the first glimpse at its brand new front-wheel drive Mini Convertible.
According to AutoWeek, the revised version of BMW's popular compact soft top will arrive with revised bodywork and fresh detailing, while, beneath the outward aesthetic updating, the car will also boast an enhanced chassis and a tweaked engine bay.
While the design of the new Mini's front end remains faithful to the existing product line, the back end has received substantial alteration in order to allow for an Edscha-made soft roof canopy that folds in behind the car's rear seats.
The roof retracts and extends in a mere 15 seconds and can be deployed while the vehicle is travelling at speeds up to 20mph; and, for those not looking to be completely barracked by the whistling winds, the roof can also be retracted partially to create a breezy sunroof effect.
According to BMW, the total weight of the new Mini Convertible is around 2,690lbs, which is a reduction of some 22lbs (approx. 10kg) when compared to the original Cooper S soft-top model.
That weight loss comes despite the new model receiving the benefit of enforced rigidity along with added safety thanks to the installation of sensor-equipped roll bar tubing directly behind the rear passenger seats. Interestingly, the roll tube actually extends to protect occupants if the car should be rolled during an accident.
Other new or revised features include BMW Efficient Dynamics technology such as stop-start and brake energy regeneration for improved fuel consumption and reduced emissions – along with rumours of the somewhat odd and seemingly pointless Openometer dashboard gauge, which records how far the vehicle has travelled with the top down.
Expected to arrive in a total of five different specification flavours, the new Mini Convertible line will consist of the entry level 1.4 litre, four-cylinder One (110 bhp), the 1.6 litre, four-cylinder Cooper D diesel (110 bhp), the 1.6 litre, four-cylinder Cooper (120 bhp), the turbo-equipped 1.6 litre, four-cylinder Cooper S (170 bhp), and the turbocharged 1.6-litre, four-cylinder John Cooper Works model (211 bhp).
Note: The two 110 bhp models and the 211 bhp John Cooper model are not likely to arrive until the latter part of 2009.
Set to roll off production lines in the U.S. in the spring of 2009, just in time for perfect top-down weather, the newest entrant to BMW's Mini line will be given its public début during January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.
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