Three versions of the Convertible will be available from launch: Cooper, Cooper D and Cooper S. Pricing will start at £18,475 for the Cooper, increasing to £20,225 for the Cooper D and £22,430 for the Cooper S.
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“The new MINI Convertible has a great balance of playful personalization and sophistication. It’s open-top driving without compromise”, said David Duncan, the vice president of MINI USA.
British marquee, Mini will be joining the very small club of topless hatchback makers when convertible versions of the Mini Cooper, Mini Cooper D and the Mini Cooper S go on sale in United Kingdom, in March, 2016. It also has larger tail lamps and a wider boot.
Mini is banking that its redesigned convertible – with a BMW architecture and engines and a host of new premium options – will push the model up and away from volume competitors. With BMW’s UKL platform, the new convertible was built using high-strength steel, which translates to improved rigidity, stiffness and auto handling. The wheelbase was also increased by 28 mm.
The new fully electric fabric roof, which can retract fully in 18 seconds, is quieter and more refined than that used for the previous Convertible, according to MINI.
The larger external dimensions are reflected within the interior with the front seats receiving added longitudinal adjustment, the width of the rear increased by 34mm at shoulder height and by 112mm in the elbow area, and an added 36mm of rear seat legroom.
When the roof is down, rollover protection bars are deployed to ensure the safety of the passengers.
The standard model is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 135 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 8.8 seconds for manual transmission and 8.3 seconds for automatic.
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In initial top-of-the-line Cooper S form with a manual gearbox, Mini claims its new Convertible hits 100km/h from standstill in 7.2sec and reaches a top speed of 230km/h, beating its predecessor by a scant 0.1sec and 5km/h. It will also come standard with the MINI Connected infotainment system including a 6.5-inch high-resolution screen. In addition, an optional larger 8.8-inch display includes naviation and a clever rain warning app, which notifies drivers of impending storms so they can prepare their vehicle for inclement weather. The convertible also has rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. It offers a choice of 11 exterior color options, including the new Caribbean Aqua, which harkens back to the classic MINI color palette, ideal for the fun-loving enthusiast, and Melting Silver, recently introduced on the new MINI Clubman, a cool and modern finish flawless for the open air thrill seeker.
