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First Drive: 2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Mini, First Drive

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible

As far as we can tell, the 2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible draws cold air wherever it goes. First came the drop-top's ironic unveiling in Detroit, where we had the misfortune of experiencing one of the coldest, snowiest shows in recent memory. Just over a month later, we found ourselves in the cabrio-friendly climes of Southern California, where temperatures in the mid-50s did their best to spoil our open-air fun. But in spite of the chilly atmosphere, we bit the bullet, dropped the top and put the new MINI 'vert to the test to see if the lil' British runabout lives up to its "Always Open" tagline. Make the jump to find out what drop-top Motoring is all about.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible

First Drive: 2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MINI gets its marketing on for new Cabrio

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Marketing/Advertising, Mini

Click above for gallery of upcoming MINI Cabrio marketing materials

Now that the 2009 Mini Cabrio has been unleashed onto the interwebs, expect to witness a full-court advertising press as the automaker tries to keep up the positive momentum in sales over last year. MINI has always had clever ads for its retro hatches, and that trend will continue with the latest 2009 Cabrio, which is officially set to debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month. Previous marketing attempts have humorously suggested that it's never a good idea to lower the top, and a similar theme is being used again, except in a much more eye-catching manner. Seriously, how disturbing is the ice-covered guy? That's the stuff of nightmares.

Besides print materials, some screen captures of upcoming UK commercials indicate that lowering the soft top is never permissible, even in the face of freezing temperatures, monumental rain puddles or, um, the occasional Ninja attack. Take a look for yourself in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2009 MINI Cabrio marketing materials

[Source: MINI Forum]

MINI gets its marketing on for new Cabrio originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Mini Cooper Cabrio unveiled! Detroit debut, hits showrooms in March

Alex Nunez — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:52:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Europe, Videos, Mini

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the MINI Cabrio

Well, here's one car we'll all be able to cover in Detroit come January. BMW has officially announced that the second-generation MINI Cabrio will make its debut at the North American International Auto Show. No need to wait to place orders; you can do that now. The Cooper ragtop is priced at $24,550 while the Cooper S convertible costs $3,000 more. Customer delivery kicks off on March 28.

So, what's new? Well, for one, the new Cabrio looks like the current-gen Cooper. Likewise, it shares the hardtop cars' 1.6L engines -- 118 hp NA for the Cooper, and 172 hp turbo for the Cooper S. The Euro-market cars get BMW Efficient Dynamics features including brake regeneration and stop/start. The U.S.? Not so much. Out back, the fold-down tailgate's hinges are now internal, giving the car's tush a smoother look. The fixed roll hoops of the current car have been replaced by a pop-up system behind the back seat. This makes for a good-looking, clean top-down profile and should improve rearward visibility for the driver. Speaking of the top, it can be operated at speeds up to 20 mph or so, and it fully disappears in just 15 seconds. The sliding sunroof feature can be utilized at even higher speeds -- up to 60 mph or so. Stability control is standard equipment.

Inside, the current MINI instrument panel is employed, and drivers with a hankering for extraneous gimmickery can order up the "Openometer", a secondary gauge that mounts next to the tach. It monitors how much time you clock with the top down. Yeah, yeah -- useless. You know people are gonna eat it up. Follow the jump for a video and MINI's full PR (now updated with the U.S. version).

Gallery: 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible

[Source: MINI]

Continue reading 2009 Mini Cooper Cabrio unveiled! Detroit debut, hits showrooms in March

2009 Mini Cooper Cabrio unveiled! Detroit debut, hits showrooms in March originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 MINI Cooper Convertible photos hit the web

Alex Nunez — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:25:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Budget, Mini

Click above for a gallery of the 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible

MotoringFile, ground zero on the web for all things MINI, has the scoop on the long-awaited 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible. Someone slipped MF seven official shots of the Detroit-bound R57 Cooper ragtop along with some additional inside information. Obviously, it's based on the current chassis and powertrains, so you know what you're going to get there. Additionally, the JCW package is supposedly going to be available at launch as well.

One of the most obvious visual changes in the new convertible is the use of pop-up roll hoops instead of the fixed units featured on the old car. This, in addition to looking cleaner, should improve rearward visibility with the top down. Speaking of the top being down, the new car includes a cutesy little gimmick called the 'Always Open" gauge. Located next to the tach housing, it tells the driver the percentage of miles driven with the top open. Look also for new paint and top colors outside, plus a new black chrome interior trim package inside. MotoringFile says we'll see the car in showrooms come Spring 2009. Look for more info on the new MINI convertible as we get closer to the Detroit Auto Show. In the meantime, hit up MotoringFile for their full preview report. Thanks to Gabriel for the heads-up.

Gallery: 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible

[Source: MotoringFile]

2009 MINI Cooper Convertible photos hit the web originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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