MINI is maintaining busy this month by introducing no fewer than three new fashions. Earlier than we see the John Cooper Works scorching hatches with gasoline and electrical energy on the 2024 Paris Motor Present, right here comes the Cooper Convertible. Not like its predecessor made by the VDL Nedcar firm in Born, Netherlands, the “F67” carries the “Made in Oxford” label. That’s proper – the droptop MINI is as soon as once more made at residence within the UK.
Having seen the 3-Door hatchback (F66), its “roofless” counterpart appears solely predictable. Don’t get us flawed – it’s not a nasty factor since we expect it is a trendy little automobile. It takes 18 seconds to electrically fold down the roof and 15 seconds to carry it again up. You don’t must be stationary to open the roof for the reason that process may be accomplished at speeds of as much as 19 mph (30 km/h). No matter how briskly you’re going, you possibly can open the sunroof by sliding the highest backward by 40 centimeters (15.7 inches).
Cargo House
With the MINI Convertible being such a tiny automobile, it’s removed from being the very best when it comes to carrying cargo. Depart the roof up and the trunk can accommodate 215 liters (7.59 cubic ft). Drop the highest and the capability decreases to simply 160 liters (5.65 cubic ft). Similar to on a pickup truck, the tailgate opens downwards. It’s straightforward to see the opening is kind of small, however practicality isn’t the robust level of a convertible.
Dimensions
However how small is it anyway? It’s 3879 millimeters (152.7 inches) lengthy, 1744 millimeters (68.6 inches) broad, and 1431 millimeters (56.3 inches) tall. You may have it with 16-inch wheels or splurge on greater units as much as 18 inches in dimension. The brand new MINI Convertible will get a wind deflector behind the motive force and passenger seats to scale back air turbulence. It’s additionally good at lowering wind noise when the roof is totally folded.
Situated behind the rear headrests, the built-in rollover safety system is triggered immediately when the automobile’s sensors detect a possible rollover. MINI intends to promote its stylish cabrio in a dozen colours similar to this unique Copper Gray. You may mix the primary physique paint with Glazed White or Jet Black facet mirror caps for a contrasting impact. As with different fashions, there are Basic, Favoured, and JCW trim ranges. For the US market two particular person trims or what are in any other case known as “types” together with Basic Fashion and Favoured Fashion can be found, together with a complete of 11 paint colours.
A Acquainted Inside
In the event you’ve seen the newest MINIs, the inside ought to look immediately acquainted. The minimalist dashboard is dominated by the identical OLED spherical show with a 9.4-inch diagonal. The digital instrument cluster is gone however a minimum of there’s an optionally available head-up show. A number of bodily controls have survived, situated under the show.
Beneath the hood, you’ll discover the same old suspects. The bottom Cooper C Convertible makes do with a three-cylinder engine. It’s a turbocharged 1.5-liter mill with 161 hp and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft). It’s sufficient punch for a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) run in 8.2 seconds and a high velocity of 137 mph (220 km/h). Step as much as the Cooper S Convertible and MINI rewards you with a bigger turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. It’s good for 201 hp and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft), enabling a dash in 6.9 seconds earlier than maxing out at 147 mph (237 km/h).
On the prime quality would be the Cooper JCW Convertible however technical specs stay shrouded in thriller. Sadly, none of those variations could have a handbook gearbox as MINI has pledged to go automatic-only throughout its total lineup.
Though the BMW-owned model says the brand new Convertible completes the lineup, that may not be essentially true. We’ve been listening to rumors of a absolutely electrical Convertible (“J03”) believed to enter manufacturing in Oxford in 2027. Nonetheless, MINI hasn’t confirmed the studies.
We do know the mechanically associated 3-Door electrical hatchback (“J01”) and the Aceman (“J05”) will probably be made in Oxford beginning in 2026, so the rumor has some substance. It wouldn’t be the primary electrical MINI with a folding roof contemplating there was a Cooper SE Convertible particular version in Europe final yr capped at 999 items.
US Pricing
For the U.S. market, the MINI Cooper Convertible begins at a base MSRP of $33,950, plus a $995 vacation spot and dealing with charge. The sportier MINI Cooper S Convertible is priced from $37,200, additionally with a $995 vacation spot cost. Each fashions are set to reach at U.S. dealerships in early January 2025. Particulars on the MINI JCW Convertible, together with pricing and availability, will probably be introduced at a later date.
Supply: MINI
