First look at new Mini Cabrio 23 | 10 | 2015
THIS IS OUR first look at the all-new Mini Convertible which will make its public debut at the Tokyo Motor Show next week, ahead of arriving in Scottish showrooms next March. Prices will start at £18,475.
This third-generation cabrio is larger and more comprehensively equipped than its predecessors, and is the latest of four models to join the current Mini line-up. The range already includes three-door hatchback, five-door hatchback and recently introduced Clubman.
The soft-top, like its siblings, benefits from fresh new exterior styling, including more distinctive front end — featuring a larger single-frame grille — and altered headlamps.
The newcomer — which is 98mm longer, 44mm wider and 7mm higher than its predecessor, making it 3821mm, 1727mm and 1415mm respectively — also gets a more heavily raked windscreen, larger tail-lamps and wider boot.
Boasting a heavily revised automatic cloth hood, BMW-Mini bosses say it can be opened or closed in 18 seconds at the press of button at speeds of up to 19mph.
As in previous models, the multi-layer structure folds and stows in an exposed position above the boot. Safety enhancements include a single-piece roll bar that extends from behind the rear seats when sensors detect a possible rollover.
The new cabrio benefits from a 28mm increase in wheelbase, plus wider tracks that are up by 42mm at the front and 34mm at the rear: the result is an improvement in interior space.
Related: Teaser image of new Mini Clubman
The front seats receive added longitudinal adjustment, the width of the rear seats has increased by 34mm at shoulder height and by 112mm in the elbow area, and there's an added 36mm of rear leg room.
There's also more stowage space, with luggage capacity up by 35 litres to 215 litres. With the hood stowed, boot space is reduced to 160 litres. Rear seats receive standard split-folding backrests and an 8mm wider through-loading facility for easier stowage of longer items.
Standard equipment on UK-spec models will include a 6.5in multimedia screen, Bluetooth connectivity with a USB audio connection, rear parking distance control and a reversing camera.
At launch, the new Mini Convertible range will be available with the choice of three powerplants: a 134bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol unit in the Cooper, a 189bhp 2.0 petrol four-cylinder in the Cooper S, and a 114bhp 1.5 three-cylinder diesel in the Cooper D.
In due course, the range will be further supplemented by the addition of a base 101bhp 1.2 petrol three-cylinder in the One, plus a 168bhp 2.0 diesel in the Cooper SD.
Buyers also get the choice of a standard six-speed manual and a £1270 optional six-speed automatic: the latter available with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. All models also benefit from an electronic differential lock, along with Dynamic Stability Control and traction control, fitted as standard.
Mini claims the initial range-topping Cooper S, fitted with the manual six-speeder, will hit 62mph from standstill in 7.2sec and reach a top speed of 143mph: that outperforms its predecessor by 0.1sec and 3mph. The Cooper S will also return a claimed 47.1mpg, and emit 139g/km CO2.
Prices will start at £18,475 for the entry-level Cooper and rise to £22,430 for the Cooper S. The entry-level Cooper D is priced £20,225.
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Jim McGill