Now the long period of waiting is finally
coming to an end: A very special version of the MINI is making its world
debut at the Geneva Motor Show, injecting a fresh breeze into the world
of motoring – the new MINI Convertible. Introducing this versatile four-seater,
MINI is combining the distinctive pleasure of driving an open car with
the unique enjoyment you can only feel at the wheel of a genuine MINI.
Combining supreme fun with practical
value.
The MINI Convertible is a fully-fledged
four-seater clearly standing out from the start as a genuine MINI
regardless of whether the roof is up or down. For the design features
and proportions so characteristic of the MINI have been consistently
carried over to the MINI Convertible: The steeply raked windscreen and
the optimum seating position enjoyed by the driver ensure an
unforgettable open-air experience also when driving with the roof down.
So the new model version leaves no doubt that motoring pleasure is an
outstanding factor on all four seats of this uniquely popular cult car.
Clearly, the MINI Convertible boasts a
clever all-round concept with supreme function and optimum use of space
available.
Striking profile.
With its roof down, this classy
convertible really looks at its best. The waistline gradually rising to
the rear gives the car a strong and distinctive profile further
accentuated by the chrome strip continuing along the complete window
line. The steeply raked windscreen, complete absence of a B-pillar, the
rollbars made of extra-strong aluminum pipes behind the rear-seat
backrest, as well as the compact, folding roof all bear testimony to the
unique style of a classic convertible.
The new MINI Convertible is entering the
market initially in the guise of the 66 kW/90 bhp MINI One and the 85
kW/115 bhp MINI Cooper. The top-of-the-range MINI Cooper S Convertible
will be following later.
In standard trim the MINI
Convertible comes on 15-inch steel or, respectively, light-alloy rims
(MINI One/MINI Cooper) running on 175/65 R15 tyres. As an option, both
models are available with attractive 16- and 17-inch light-alloy wheels,
with the 17-inch five-star Bullet light-alloy wheels developed
exclusively for the new open-air version.
A convertible with a
sliding roof all in one.
The roof available in three colours opens
up fully automatically within just 15 seconds: Pressing a button, you
first open the integrated sliding roof, then the complete soft roof as
such. With the soft roof folding to the rear, the roof columns are
automatically retracted and the rear side windows move down at the same
time. The intelligent Z-folding mechanism allows the complete roof to
fold up in compact arrangement behind the rear seats, with no need for a
tonneau cover.
The sliding roof integrated in the soft
top can be opened infinitely up to 40 cm or 15¾´´ while driving, up to a
speed of 120 km/h or 75 mph. Clearly, a feature quite unprecedented in
the convertible market.
Optimum utilisation of
space available.
Folding out to the back, the rear lid is
held in position when open by two steel cables with a spring-mounted
retractor system. This allows use of the rear lid with its hinges facing
to the outside as a practical loading panel able to carry a weight of up
to 80 kg or 176 lb.
The MINI Convertible is able to carry a
maximum of 400 kg or 882 lb, and the luggage compartment accommodates
165 litres with the roof closed. And even with the roof down, driving in
the open air, luggage compartment capacity remains a substantial 120
litres.
The Easy Load system offers generous
through-loading capacity: With the roof closed, all you do is turn two
levers in the luggage compartment to fold up the bottom section of the
cover fastened on a tightening bracket and attach it in position. Then,
with the rear lid open, you have very convenient access to the luggage
compartment through a large opening able to accommodate even bulky
objects. And in conjunction with the rear seat backrests folding forward
and fastened securely in position, luggage compartment capacity can be
increased to no less than 605 litres.
Boasting features such as its highly
functional roof, the variable luggage compartment even with the roof
open, an ultra-strong and stiff bodyshell, as well as the chassis with
its multi-arm rear axle, the MINI Convertible sets the standard in its
market segment in many other other respects too.
That go-kart feeling so
typical of the MINI.
Combining a very stiff bodyshell with
superior chassis and suspension features, the open-air models, like
their fixed-roof counterparts, once again offer a unique symbiosis of
superior agility and handling. The drive concept as such, the long
wheelbase, a low centre of gravity, wide track, the multi-arm rear axle
and the direct, electrohydraulic power steering all go together to
provide the foundation for the excellent driving behaviour and go-kart
feeling so typical of the MINI Convertible.
Sporting performance
wherever you go.
Both versions of the MINI Convertible
feature a 1.6-litre four-cylinder power unit developing maximum output
of 66 kW/90 bhp in the MINI One and 85 kW/115 bhp in the MINI Cooper.
Maximum torque of 140 Nm/103 lb-ft and, respectively, 150 Nm/111 lb-ft
comes at just 3000 and, respectively, 4,500 rpm. A smooth-shifting
five-speed manual gearbox is standard on both models. Top speed of the
MINI One Convertible is 175 km/h or 109 mph, with acceleration to 100
km/h in 11.8 seconds. Fuel consumption in the composite EU cycle is 7.2
litres premium/100 km, equivalent to 39.2 mpg Imp.
Maximum output of 85 kW/115 bhp gives the
MINI Cooper Convertible a top speed of 193 km/h or 120 mph. Acceleration
to 100 km/h from a standstill comes in just 9.8 seconds, fuel
consumption in the EU cycle is 7.3 litres/100 km, equal to 38.7 mpg Imp.
High standard of
safety.
Benefitting from its stiff body structure
and restraint system comprising, inter alia, two “intelligent” frontal
airbags and two seat-integrated head/thorax side airbags as standard,
the MINI Convertible naturally complies with the world’s strictest crash
standards required by law. A wide range of constructional improvements
and features ensures a particularly high standard of torsional stiffness
preventing the door-sills from bending in in the event of a head-on
collision and offering the occupants optimum protection in an impact
from the side.
Should the MINI Convertible ever be
involved in a rollover, the A-pillars encompassing a tube made of
ultra-strong steel guarantee a strong load-bearing function. And at the
rear double rollbars made of high-strength aluminium tubes, complete
with integrated headrests, afford superior passenger safety.
A high standard of active safety is ensured, inter alia, by four disc
brakes, four-sensor ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), as
well as Cornering Brake Control (CBC). Available as an option, Automatic
Stability and Traction Control (ASC+T) as well as Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC) help to provide superior driving and tracking stability in
an extreme situation.
MINI in colour.
The MINI Convertible is available in 10
exterior colours, two of which are reserved exclusively to this open-air
model: Hot Orange and, to provide a particular effect, Cool Blue. And
while the MINI One Convertible comes only with a black roof, the roof of
the open-air MINI Cooper is available in Black, Blue, and Green. The
exterior mirror housings, in turn, are again finished in Black on the
“basic” model and come in body colour on the MINI Cooper Convertible.
High-quality textile materials and
surfaces give the interior special harmony and balance. The dashboard
and door linings are available in Silver and Anthracite and also come as
a further choice in wood and aluminium trim.
The seat upholstery is available in 3
different types of cloth, 3 combinations of cloth and leather, and with
three different choices of all-leather upholstery.
Everything goes.
The wide range of standard equipment
featured from the start on the new Convertible comprises, inter alia, an
electrically operated roof complete with sliding roof function, a heated
glass rear window, two frontal and two head/thorax side airbags,
four-sensor ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Cornering
Brake Control (CBC), BMW’s Tyre Defect Indicator (TDI), electrically
operated rear-view mirrors and window lifts, power steering, Park
Distance Control (PDC), a rev counter, height adjustment on the both
driver’s seat and steering column, as well as central locking with
remote control plus comfort opening.
To fulfill all kinds of individual and
personal wishes, the MINI Convertible comes with an equally wide range
of special equipment comprising features such as xenon headlights, a TV
navigation system with a 16:9 colour display, high-quality HiFi audio
systems, a heated rear window, automatic air conditioning, a wind
deflector, a wide range of light-alloy wheels, a multifunction steering
wheel, a rain sensor, and the interior mirror complete with anti-dazzle
function.
Successful and popular.
Apart from the MINI Convertible making
its debut in Geneva, the four existing fixed-roof models already very
successful in the market are naturally also to be admired at the Show:
the MINI One, MINI One D, MINI Cooper, and MINI Cooper S. And “popular”
is indeed the right word to describe these successful models already
delivered to more than 176,000 thrilled customers the world over. |
