Mini Cabrio: Iconic Convertible

Motoring Channel Staff - 1/December/2008

Oxford, England — Mini has released the first images of the new generation Mini Cabrio which is expected to continue the vehicle's sales success.

Except for the different wheels, only true Mini fans will be able to spot the differences between the previous Cabrio and this new drop top model, but BMWs claims the new models are a better vehicle.

Some of the changes to the new 2009 model Mini Cabrio include:

Upgraded suspension
New engines
Increased safety
Improved technology

Launching mid-way through 2009, the new Cabrio models will be available in 12 different colours and have room for four occupants: two in the front and two in the back.

Mini's new 2-door convertible features a folding roof made of cloth to improve storage efficiency.

The most important part of any convertible is always the roof mechanism and in the Mini Cabrio's case cloth soft top has an integrated sliding function for partial open-air driving.

Mini's parent company BMW has also made the roof a fully-automatic folding system. You hit a button and the soft top folds back in 15 seconds, and it can even be done while moving at up to 30km/h.

If you've dropped the top and are stopped at traffic lights and they turn green for example, you can pull away and it will still finish the process as you set off.

Another all-new feature of the 2009 Mini Cabrio is the automatic air conditioning which Mini claims will "provide a consistent set temperature under the influence of wind when the roof is opened" and thereby increasing the car's top-down dynamics.

Mini has even included a world-first on its iconic soft top, the Always-Open Timer.

Located next to the tachometer or rev counter, the Always-Open Timer is an "...unprecedented instrument [that] shows the driver and passengers the time they have spent driving with the roof down – motivating the driver to really enjoy the thrill of open-air motoring as frequently as possible".

This feature sounds like a waste of time to us, but it is an option so if you don't want it you don't have to spend money on it.

Some of the other features of the new Mini Cabrio include the seamless integration of external music players and direct Apple iPod connectivity. 

There's a USB port included, a Bluetooth hands-free telephone system and a new look interior layout with improved ergonomics to entice current buyers to upgrade.

Technical Stuff

Mini has increase the boot space by 5 litres so that with the roof open there is 125 litres of space and with the roof closed there is 170 litres of space.

BMW has also made sure the new Mini Cabrio is more practical than before, with the Easy-Load Function. The rear-seats can be folded down individually on either side making for 600 litres of space. 

Mini claims that this variability is "quite unique in the Cabrio segment" and is "made possible by the innovative design and construction of the rollbar".

In the advent of a rollover, the single-piece rollbar behind the rear seats extending across the entire interior width of the car.

Other safety features include dynamic stability control and a suite of airbags.

New 1.6-litre engines developed in conjunction with Peugeot will power the 2009 Mini Cabrio, and come in both turbo (Cooper S) and naturally aspirated (Cooper) forms which are as follows:

Mini Cooper Cabrio
Engine: 1.6-litre I4
Power: 88kW @ 6000rpm

Mini Cooper S Cabrio
Engine: 1.6-litre I4 turbo
Power: 128kW @ 5500

Mini has bumped up the power output compared to the previous models, but also says that fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been reduced by up to 19% compared with the cars' predecessors.

Detailed Engine Specifications

Mini Cooper S Cabrio:
- Engine: Four-cylinder petrol with Twin-Scroll turbocharger
- Capacity: 1,598 cc, max output: 128 kW/175 hp at 5,500 rpm
- Max torque: 240 Nm from 1,600–5,000 rpm (260 Nm with Overboost)
- Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 7.4 sec
- Top speed: 222 km/h
- Average fuel consumption: 7.2 litres/100 km
- CO2 rating: 171 g/km

Mini Cooper Cabrio:
- Engine: Four-cylinder petrol
- Capacity: 1,598 cc, max output: 88 kW/120 hp at 6,000 rpm
- Max torque: 160 Nm at 4,250 rpm
- Acceleration (0–100 km/h): 9.8 sec
- Top speed: 198 km/h
- Average fuel consumption: 6.1 litres/100 km,
- CO2 rating: 145g/km.

Related Links:
- Mini E (2009)
- Mini Crossover Concept (2008)
- Mini John Cooper Works (2008)
- Mini Clubman (2008)
- New Mini (2007)
- Mini Concept Tokyo (concept)
- Mini Concept Frankfurt (concept)
- Mini Cooper Cabrio (2005)