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The new MINI will at last be available in convertible form in March 2009. And even better, this time round EfficientDynamics technologies are featured, meaning the new Cooper Convertible can manage 49.6mpg and 137g/km CO2.
Auto Start Stop and Brake Energy Regeneration result in the fuel economy being almost 11mpg, or 22%, better than the previous model, with emissions being 37g/km or 21% lower.
There will be MINI Cooper and Cooper S derivatives – the S comes with a Twin-Scroll turbocharger – however there’s no diesel. Both models are available as an option with a six-speed automatic transmission. The MINI Cooper Convertible will be priced at £15,995 OTR and the MINI Cooper S Convertible will be offered from £18,995 OTR.
For the first-time in a MINI Convertible, Air Conditioning will be fitted as standard, along with a cooled, lockable glovebox.
The automatic canvas roof can be fully retracted or closed using a roof-frame mounted toggle switch in just 15 seconds, and can be operated with the car travelling at speeds of up to 20 mph.
If you don’t want the entire top down, it even comes with a sunroof feature. A strange feature is the ‘Openometer’, which records the time spent by the owner driving with the top down.
The body structure, floorplan, A-pillars and side sills have all been strengthened to offer greater crash protection and reduce ‘scuttle shake’, and a single-piece roll bar situated behind the rear seats extends in milliseconds in the event of a crash.
Luggage space is improved, with a capacity of 125 litres (up from 120) with the roof open and 170 litres with the roof closed (previously 165). With the rear seat folded down and roof closed, luggage space totals 660 litres, 55 litres more than the previous MINI Convertible.
Bike rack preparation will be supplied with the car as standard. The mounting points are obscured from view and positioned behind the rear bumper, meaning owners are able to easily affix multi-function carriers as and when required.
