► All-new Mini Convertible
► Launches March 2016
► Prices start from £18,475
Designer sunglasses at the ready: this is the brand new Mini Convertible, revealed in official pictures ahead of its public debut at the 2015 Tokyo motor show. It’ll be launched in the UK in March 2016.
This ‘F57’ model is the third Mini Convertible. Its predecessors were launched in 2004 and 2009. No surprise on the styling front – its appearance hasn’t changed dramatically since we published spyshots of a pre-production prototype in spring 2015. Scroll through the gallery above to see the new cabriolet from every angle.
The 2016 Mini Convertible line-up
Pick from three model lines at launch, all badged as Coopers:
- Mini Cooper Convertible: from £18,475. 1.5-litre 3-cyl petrol engine, 134bhp, 55mpg, 114g/km CO2, 0-62mph in 8.8sec
- Mini Cooper D Convertible: from £20,225. 1.5-litre 3-cyl diesel engine, 114bhp, 70mpg, 100g/km CO2, 0-62mph in 9.9sec
- Mini Cooper S Convertible: from £22,430. 2.0-litre 4-cyl petrol engine, 189bhp, 46mpg, 139g/km, 0-62mph in 7.2sec
A six-speed manual gearbox is standard in all variants, with a six-speed auto an option.
Talk me through the new Mini Convertible’s roof
It’s a fabric soft top, powered by electric motors and folding into a pram-style bundle on top of the bootlid. Designed to be quieter and smoother than that of the previous Mini Convertible, it takes 18 seconds to retract. Oh, and you can now have a Union Jack woven into it as an option, if you really must.
When the roof’s down, the rollover protection bars are fully hidden, automatically popping up when called for. Because the Mk3 Mini has grown in overall size, there’s a little more space in the back than before, but it’s all relative. Keep any luxurious legroom expectations well in check.
Boot space is a handy 25% bigger than that of the old drop-top Mini, measuring 215 litres with the roof closed, and 160 litres when it’s retracted. If the roof’s up a standard-fit ‘Easy Load’ function can free up a little more space, with two locking handles enabling the roof frame to be swung upwards. There’s also a through-hatch in the centre of the rear seat backs.
What standard equipment do I get for my money in a new Mini Convertible?
Plenty: air-con, Bluetooth, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are standard, along with a 6.5in display screen. A larger display with sat-nav is an option. Pick the ‘Mini Connected XL’ option and should you park the car with the roof open, it can even text you automatically if rain’s forecast…
The new Mini Convertible is on display at the 2016 Tokyo motor show. Check out CAR’s A-Z of the most important cars at the show here.