Description
The New MINI Cooper Convertible
Always Open: Unmistakable driving fun in the new MINI Cooper Convertible.
Munich, 9/10/2024 - The new MINI Cooper Convertible adds to the MINI lineup with its unique features and open-air design. The fully automatic soft top opens in just 18 seconds, offering a smooth, breezy ride whether in the city, countryside, or on highways. The convertible’s compact design ensures space efficiency while delivering classic open-air driving pleasure.
Its soft top can be used like a sunroof or fully retracted, fitting neatly behind the rear seats for extra storage space. The Always Open Timer tracks time spent with the roof down for added fun. Three four-cylinder petrol engines provide the signature MINI go-kart feel. The design blends classic elements like round LED headlights with modern touches, offering various customization options. The soft top operates at speeds up to 30 km/h, and a wind deflector enhances comfort. Enhanced driver assistance and digital tech make the MINI Cooper Convertible safer and more user-friendly.
THE EXTERIOR
CHARISMATIC CONVERTIBLE WITH PURIST DESIGN.
The MINI Cooper Convertible combines compact proportions, short overhangs, and larger 620 mm wheels for enhanced agility and driving fun. Its expressive front design and new exterior details give it a distinct and charismatic look, unique in the premium small car segment. The black soft top, with an optional grey Union Jack design, complements the sleek, three-part body design typical of MINI, emphasizing its British heritage.
HALLMARK DESIGN WITH EXPRESSIVE HIGHLIGHTS.
The MINI Cooper Convertible features the brand's signature round headlights and a new octagonal front grille with wide air inlets in either Vibrant Silver or Jet Black. Standard LED headlights, available in three styles, include a welcome animation with MINI logo projections, adding to its charm.
Its sporty side profile showcases clean lines, short overhangs, and a long wheelbase, giving it a sleek, spacious look despite compact dimensions (3,879 mm length, 1,431 mm height, 1,744 mm width). Aerodynamic wheels range from 16 to 18 inches. At the rear, vertically aligned LED lights and a horizontal badge emphasize the car’s wide, confident stance.
FULLY AUTOMATIC FABRIC SOFT TOP FOR SAFE DRIVING FUN.
The high-quality soft top of the MINI Cooper Convertible offers weather protection and operates quietly, opening fully in 18 seconds at speeds up to 30 km/h. It also features a sunroof mode with a 40 cm opening for fresh air. The roof closes in just 15 seconds with a touch of a button, providing an unobstructed view by lowering the window bars and side windows.
Safety is enhanced with an automatic rollover protection system hidden behind the rear headrests. The soft top’s space-saving design allows for a 160-liter luggage capacity when open, expanding to 215 liters when closed. The tailgate opens downwards for easier loading, and a wind deflector reduces noise and turbulence for a smoother ride.
A DOZEN BODY FINISHES AND THREE INDIVIDUAL TRIMS.
The new MINI Cooper Convertible offers 12 paint finishes, including the exclusive Copper Grey. Optional mirror caps in Jet Black or Glazed White add a bold touch. Three trims enhance its sporty-elegant style:
- Classic Trim: Features a black-trimmed front grille for a clean look.
- Favoured Trim: Includes a Vibrant Silver grille with a choice of 17- or 18-inch wheels.
- JCW Trim: Inspired by motorsports, this trim offers a sporty design with a unique front and rear look, high-gloss black details, and a muscular rear.
THE INTERIOR
MINIMALIST, OPEN FEEL THAT MAKES YOU FEEL AT HOME.
The interior of the new MINI Cooper Convertible emphasizes minimalist design and high-quality materials, following the "Charismatic Simplicity" approach. The cockpit is structured around three main elements: a sporty steering wheel, a central OLED display, and a redesigned toggle switch bar. A Head-up Display projects key information directly into the driver's view, eliminating the need for an extra instrument panel and providing a clear forward view.
Textile surfaces in the cabin use a newly developed knitted material made from recycled polyester, offering a cozy atmosphere. Seating options include grey or black seats with a blend of artificial leather and blue textile, or sportier JCW seats in beige, Nightshade Blue, or black leather with contrasting details.
HIGH-RESOLUTION OLED DISPLAY WITH TOUCH FUNCTION.
The new central instrument in the MINI Cooper Convertible features a sleek 240 mm glass display with advanced OLED technology, ensuring high contrast visibility, even in bright sunlight. This touchscreen allows easy control of vehicle functions by touch or voice, while the MINI Operating System 9 enhances connectivity, bringing apps and digital content directly from your smartphone.
The display shows speed prominently, with a full-screen speedometer accessible by tapping the speed display. Other widgets appear as thumbnails on the home screen, which can be selected with a swipe. Navigation, Media, Phone, and Climate controls are always accessible from the lower part of the screen for quick adjustments.
MINI EXPERIENCE MODES CREATE IMMERSIVE DRIVING EXPERIENCES.
The MINI Cooper Convertible offers seven Experience Modes that adjust the interior ambiance, even with the top down. Each mode customizes the OLED display, dashboard, and lighting to create unique driving experiences. For example, Go-Kart Mode emphasizes MINI's racing heritage with anthracite and red colors, paired with dynamic driving displays inspired by John Cooper Works.
Two projectors behind the instrument panel project illuminated graphics onto the dashboard when the top is closed, adjusting light patterns and ambient colors based on the selected mode. Personal Mode allows drivers to upload a photo through the MINI app, using the image’s colors to personalize the dashboard projection and interior lighting.
MODERN CLASSIC: NEWLY DESIGNED TOGGLE SWITCH BAR.
The toggle switch bar in the MINI Cooper Convertible's cockpit is a signature feature, blending classic design with modern functionality. It offers a tactile connection between driver and car while updating the look for a contemporary feel. The bar includes five switches for essential functions like the parking brake, gear selector, start/stop button, Experience Mode toggle, and volume control, simplifying access and eliminating the need for a separate gear selector. This redesign also creates more storage space in the center console, with room for cup holders and a dedicated shelf for wireless smartphone charging.
INDIVIDUAL TRIMS FOR THE INTERIOR.
The MINI Cooper Convertible offers three interior trim options, each creating a unique atmosphere:
1. Classic Trim: Features a three-spoke steering wheel with a leather-look band and accent stitching, along with a black-and-blue knitted surface on the instrument panel and doors. The seats come in premium fabric or Vescin synthetic leather.
2. Favoured Trim: Highlights a grey-beige houndstooth fabric on the instrument panel, extending into the door panels. It includes JCW sport seats in perforated synthetic leather, with accent stitching and a two-tone embroidered MINI logo.
3. JCW Trim: Focuses on a sporty feel, with multi-colored knitted fabric and black synthetic leather with red stitching. The JCW sport steering wheel includes a black leather band with red stitching, matching the interior’s dynamic color scheme.
THE DRIVE
THREE EFFICIENT FOUR-CYLINDER PETROL ENGINES.
The new MINI Cooper Convertible offers three advanced two-litre petrol engines, each designed to enhance the joy of open-air driving:
1. MINI Cooper C Convertible:
- Power Output: 120 kW (163 hp)
- Maximum Torque: 250 Nm
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 8.2 seconds
- Top Speed: 220 km/h
- Fuel Consumption: 6.6 - 6.5 l/100 km
- CO2 Emissions: 149 - 147 g/km (CO2 class: E)
2. MINI Cooper S Convertible:
- Power Output: 150 kW (204 hp)
- Maximum Torque: 300 Nm
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 6.9 seconds
- Top Speed: 237 km/h
- Fuel Consumption: 6.6 - 6.5 l/100 km
- CO2 Emissions: 150 - 148 g/km (CO2 class: E)
3. MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible: This variant emphasizes sportiness and maximum driving pleasure, offering a thrilling driving experience tailored for enthusiasts.
Each engine variant promises to elevate the driving experience, making the MINI Cooper Convertible a dynamic choice for those seeking fun on the road.
OPEN-AIR RIDES WITH OUTSTANDING DRIVING DYNAMICS.
The MINI Cooper Convertible is equipped with a suspension and damping system specifically designed for agile handling, making it a delight on the road. Its precise steering enhances its reputation as an exceptional cornering performer, contributing to both driving fun and safety. The highly preloaded anti-roll bar mounts on the axles ensure a well-balanced ride during cornering, providing stability and confidence in various driving conditions. Additionally, the selective tuning of the steering and stability control systems guarantees optimal safety and performance, whether navigating tight corners or cruising at higher speeds. Overall, the MINI Cooper Convertible combines agility with comfort, making it an engaging choice for drivers who appreciate spirited driving experiences.
DIGITAL SERVICES
THE NEW MINI INTELLIGENT PERSONAL ASSISTANT.
The MINI Cooper Convertible features the first fully-fledged voice assistant of the brand, activated by a simple "Hey MINI!" or via a push-to-talk button on the steering wheel. This virtual travel partner, represented by a stylized MINI or the character “Spike,” allows for fluent and intuitive communication, enhanced by improved speech recognition capabilities. Interaction is visually supported by animated graphic elements and typography on the OLED display, making it easy to control navigation, telephony, entertainment, and various vehicle functions through voice commands. The MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant continuously learns through dialogue, allowing it to take on day-to-day tasks on familiar routes. For instance, it can recognize the entrance to a parking lot using geospatial data and automatically open the window at the right moment, streamlining individual routines and enhancing convenience for the driver.
PROGRESSIVE ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS INCREASE SAFETY.
The MINI Cooper Convertible can be equipped with the optional Driving Assistant Plus Package, which enhances the driving experience with an additional Steering and Lane Assistant for lateral guidance. This system offers adaptable and cooperative steering, helping drivers maintain their lane and stay on track, while also relieving them of the monotonous aspects of driving for added comfort. The package features a clear, uncluttered design for displays and controls, ensuring high reliability with easy-to-understand functions.
Additionally, the Parking Assistant Professional, supported by twelve ultrasonic sensors and four Surround View cameras, enables the MINI Cooper Convertible to automatically detect available parking spaces and initiate parking maneuvers, especially in tight areas. The Panorama View feature enhances visibility of the surroundings when obstructed by other vehicles, and the Remote 3D View allows images to be sent to a mobile device, providing the driver with additional control and awareness of their environment.
EASY-TO-USE CONNECTIVITY AND INTUITIVE INTERACTION.
The newly designed user interface in the OLED display of the MINI Cooper Convertible merges functional and emotional elements seamlessly. Its minimalist aesthetic adapts the graphics to the circular shape of the MINI Interaction Unit, allowing for simplified operation through a clear structure. The interface features a combination of static and dynamic elements alongside micro-animations, creating a harmonious and intuitive interaction between the driver and the central instrument. This design, part of the MINI Operating System 9, imbues the MINI Cooper Convertible with a distinctly digital character.
At the center of the screen lies the start menu, where users can select and launch personalized content through horizontal swiping motions. A fixed status bar at the bottom provides direct access to menu items such as “Navigation,” “Media,” “Telephony,” and “All Apps,” with the option to view the “Home” screen depending on the situation. A toolbelt can be summoned by swiping up from the bottom edge, enabling quick access to favorite functions, such as navigation destinations and radio stations, much like a smartphone.
This toolbelt can also be activated using the star button on the multifunction steering wheel. The upper portion of the screen is dedicated to displaying driving-related information, including speed and critical vehicle status. The optional Head-up Display further presents essential information directly in the driver’s line of sight. Depending on the Experience Mode, tapping the speed display can transform the entire MINI Interaction Unit into a classic MINI speedometer, while temperature readings for the driver and front passenger are shown at the edges of the screen.
Climate settings are always accessible at the top level of the interface and can be operated by touch or voice. Additionally, MINI Connected upgrades allow for flexible activation of further driving functions, including an optional augmented reality feature that realistically visualizes complicated turning situations in three dimensions. With the MINI Connected Package, the digital MINI Connected Store provides access to a continually evolving selection of practical and entertaining apps across gaming, music, and video streaming.
SOURCE: BMW PRESSCLUB GLOBAL
