MINI showcases the new Convertible in Detroit

The new MINI Convertible is scheduled to enter the market in March 2009. Out of a total production volume of some 164,000 MINI Convertibles in the first generation, more than 37,000 units - about 24 per cent - were sold in the United States.

The new MINI Convertible is based on the qualities of its predecessor, giving even greater emphasis to the characteristic strengths of the open-air MINI. And thanks to new engines as well as the upgraded suspension, this convertible offers all the driving pleasure so typical of MINI.

At the same time the Convertible comes with a new, retractable rollover safety system and a wide range of detailed solutions for exceptional all-round functionality. To open the soft roof, for example, all you have to do is press a button. The roof opens fully automatically within just 15 seconds (and closing again just as fast). It can even be operated on the go at speeds of up to 30 km/h.

The new MINI Convertible is entering the US automobile market with two model variants - The MINI Cooper Convertible and the Cooper S Convertible.

The new MINI Cooper Convertible will be powered by a 120 hp 1.6-litre four-cylinder which produces 160 Nm of torque. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h takes just 9.8 seconds and it has a top speed of 198 km/h. Fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 5.7 litres/100 kilometres, and the CO2 rating is 127 grammes per kilometre.

The new MINI Cooper S Convertible will also feature a 1.6-litre four-cylinder power unit but with a maximum output of 175 hp and 240 Nm of torque (260 Nm with overboost), thanks to the twin-scroll turbocharger and direct gasoline injection. It will do 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, Top speed is an equally impressive 222 km/h.

Average fuel consumption of the MINI Cooper S Convertible in the EU test cycle is 6.4 litres, and the car's emission rating is 153 grammes per kilometre. Compared with their predecessors, therefore, both the new MINI Cooper Convertible and the new MINI Cooper S Convertible offer a significantly higher standard of performance on substantially less fuel and with much lower emissions.

Both the MINI Cooper S Convertible and the MINI Cooper Convertible come with DSC Dynamic Stability Control featured as standard. As an option, Dynamic Stability Control may be further upgraded by the DTC optimised traction mode available exclusively on the MINI as the only front-wheel-drive car with this technology and an electrical locking function on the drive wheel differential.

Safety is raised to an even higher standard, inter alia, by the new rollover safety system moving up electromechanically whenever required. This single-piece rollbar rests almost out of sight behind the rear seats, moving up within fractions of a second only when the electronic safety control registers the risk of a rollover.

Thanks to the design and structure of the single-piece rollbar, the through-loading between the luggage and passenger compartment is particularly large and generous in size, increasing the maximum loading capacity of the MINI Convertible by 55 to 660 litres.

The wide range of options for customising the new MINI Convertible has also been extended once again, new body colours, three different colour and trim variants on the roof and a large number of upholstery options, interior surfaces and trim bars enabling the customer to create his - or her - very own car in his personal style.

The new MINI Convertible will arrive in Singapore in the first quarter of 2009. Prices have not been announced yet. For more information, please call MINI Habitat at 6473 3777.