2009 Mini Cooper convertible. Click image to enlarge

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2009 Mini Cooper convertible

Whitby, Ontario - Following the redesigned Mini Cooper and Cooper S hatchback and Clubman models, a redesigned Mini Convertible will go on sale in the Spring of 2009, announced BMW Canada. The body of the 2009 Mini Convertible is all-new, integrated with a reinforced floorpan, A-pillars and side-sills. Passenger cell stiffness has increased some 10% over its predecessor, and it is also lighter by 10 kg.

The new Convertible has a one-piece rollbar that, unlike the dual hoops of its predecessor, integrates into a cavity behind the rear seat backrest, ensuring unobstructed rearward visibility - and pops up within 150 milliseconds in the event of a rollover.

The 2009 Mini Convertible includes a standard electrohydraulically-operated convertible roof that features a glass rear window with electric defroster. It fully retracts in just 15 seconds and can be operated with the vehicle in motion up to a speed of 30 km/h. The top can also be opened remotely via the ignition key. As well, an integrated sliding function can open the front section of the soft top in “sunroof” mode and can be operated at speeds of up to 120 km/h.

A new feature is the Always-Open Timer: positioned to the left of the tachometer, the Always-Open Timer measures how long the driver and passengers have enjoyed their car with the roof down. The Always-Open Timer is activated as soon as the driver starts the engine and the soft top is fully open. An analogue indicator moving on a scale from 0 – 60 then counts the time spent driving in the open air in minutes. After one hour of open-air driving pleasure, the indicator moves back to its starting point and the first LED light on a six-light scale will come on within the circular instrument. In all, the Always-Open Timer tracks an overall driving period in the open air of 6 hours and 59 minutes.

Like its predecessor, the new Mini Convertible is equipped with an Easy-Load system with the luggage compartment capacity increased to 125 litres with the roof open and 170 litres with the roof closed – 5 litres more than its predecessor. With the rear seat backrest folded down, the cargo capacity has been increased to 660 litres, an increase of 55 litres over its predecessor. The trunk lid also serves as a storage tray able to carry a load of up to 80 kg.

The 2009 Mini Cooper Convertible has a 1.6-litre four cylinder engine with fully variable valve management and output of 118 hp at 6,000 rpm and 114 ft-lb of torque at 4,250 rpm. Capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds, the 2009 Mini Cooper Convertible equipped with manual transmission also achieves a thrifty fuel economy rating of 5.3 L/100km (highway).

The 2009 Cooper S Convertible will be powered by the 1.6-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine with direct fuel injection, producing 172 hp @ 5,500 rpm and 177 ft-lb of torque from 1,600 through 5,000 rpm. Mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission, the new Cooper S Convertible will launch from 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, sipping only 5.7 L/100km (highway).

“Like its predecessor, the new Mini Convertible combines all the exciting elements of the current MINI hatch models with the exhilaration of open-air motoring,” stated Stephen McDonnell, Director of Mini Canada, adding: “The most sophisticated Mini Convertible yet is poised to continue the popularity of this model, offering exceptional performance, safety, economy and unprecedented fun-factor.”

Pricing, along with standard and optional equipment for the new Mini Convertible will be announced closer to the market launch in the spring of 2009.