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Auto news; MINI Convertible MINI cabrio goes topless in first official pictures.
The new MINI Convertible has broken cover, and given the success of the previous drop top it’s no surprise that BMW has lifted the lid on the current generation.

Due to reach showrooms in March, the new MINI comes two years later than its hatchback equivalent. These are the first official pictures of the soft-top and it looks like it’s been worth the wait.

The second version of the best-selling convertible will make full use of MINI’s ‘Minimalism’ package, BMW’s clever term for its EfficientDynamics systems. The result is a cleaner more frugal beast. Performance has also been improved and the range-topping Cooper S
ow pumps out 175bhp from its turbo-charged 1.6-litre unit.

The new cabrio gets a healthy makeover too. A raised shoulder line and added chrome strip surrounding the car, highlight the cars sporty nature. While the trademark circular headlamps and hexagonal grille both remain. There are also two all-new colours making their debuts; Interchange Yellow and Horizon Blue.

Opting for the same two-stage electronically-operated canvas roof as the previous car, the top can be partially opened to act as a sunroof as well as fully retracted.

Another accessory making its debut is MINI’s ‘Openometer’, the add-on records howlong the top has been down, letting passengers know how long they’ve been ‘cool’ for, air conditioning also now comes as standard.

Prices start at £15,995 for the standard Cooper rising to £18,995 for the Cooper S.

Auto news; MINI Convertible Images leak of the brand new MINI Convertible - way ahead of its Detroit Motor Show debut.
The new MINI convertible has sprung a leak! These low-res images have appeared on MINI blog website MotoringFile - presumably leaked by an insider at MINI, because they appear to be brochure scans.

The open top MINI isn’t due to make its debut until the Detroit Motor Show in January (leaving the Paris show limelight for the MINI Crossover Concept), but the car is evidently ready to hit showrooms now.

As you can see, the look is very similar to the outgoing first-generation car, which has lasted well into the second-generation because it continues to sell well. MINI will, of course, point out the raft of changes that have been made when the car is unveiled, but the winning formula of the current Convertible remains largely intact - most notably the ‘pram roof’ that stows on top of the rear bulkhead.

Major changes include a new pop-up roll bar in place of the fixed pair on the current car, and a new ‘Always Open’ display, which tells the driver how many miles they’ve done with the roof down.

These pictures show Cooper and Cooper S Convertibles, but the complete range of engines powering the fixed head will appear in the rag top, meaning MINI One and Cooper D versions will appear too.