The third generation of the modern Mini Convertible is here, and it’s ready to put the wind in your hair, British style
Unveiled at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, the 2016 Mini Convertible is the kind of car you would think belongs in the sunshine. And you'd be right because although Mini chose to launch this car right before winter shows its teeth, it will go on sale in the US in March 2016, so right at the beginning of cabriolet season.
Compared to the usual 3-door hardtop Mini, the new Convertible is basically the same, the biggest difference being the electrically foldable fabric roof, of course, which takes 18 seconds to retract and let the wind in your hair. You can raise or lower the top while driving at speeds of up to 18 mph, and you can also drive with the roof half opened like you would if the car had a sunroof.
This being Mini, individualization is important, so there's an option to get a soft top with the Union Jack embroidered on it, and another option to get seats that are covered in Malt Brown leather with diamond stitching reminiscent of classic English Chesterfield sofas.
Cargo space isn't this car's biggest selling point, but – that being said – it's still better than the model it replaces, with 7.6 cubic feet of storage when the top is up, and 5.6 cubic feet with the top down.
Infotainment options remain the same as in the hardtop version of the Mini, with a standard 6.5-inch color display on the center console, and an optional 8.8-inch screen with GPS navigation.
In the US, engine choices are limited to two petrol models, the Cooper and the Cooper S. The first one comes with a 3-cylinder 1.5-liter unit delivering 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels while the latter features a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter engine that pushes out 189 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. With the Cooper S Convertible, you can get from zero to sixty miles per hour in 6.7 or 6.8 seconds, depending on the transmission.
Standard trim includes a 6-speed manual gearbox, but if you prefer an automatic, you can get a 6-speed one from the options list, regardless of engine choice.
Pricing will be announced in January 2016, and sales will begin in March 2016.