Autoblog

Is the Mini brand big enough for two convertibles?

Noah Joseph — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST

When we first drove the Mini Roadster barely a month ago, we couldn't help but feel that it had, essentially, usurped the place that had until now been taken by the Mini Convertible. The Roadster is, after all, sleeker, more stylish, that much more fun and - for some reason - even a little cheaper ($600 lower MSRP) than the four-seat cabriolet. But does that leave the Convertible without a place in the brand's ever-expanding lineup?

Since both are based on more than just the same platform, the specs are just about identical. That is, except when it comes down to interior space. While the Convertible has a pair of seats in the back - however small, still good for taking the kids for a spin or tossing an extra duffel - the Roadster has none. The Roadster, however, makes up for that with a relatively usable trunk where the Convertible has practically none. The Roadster also weighs 66 pounds less, and has more headroom (up front, of course), though front elbow room takes a three-inch hit.

So with a fresh crop of images released by Mini showing its two droptops side by side, our question is which, if any, you'd choose if you were in the market for a little retro convertible. Cast your vote in the poll below.

View Poll

Is the Mini brand big enough for two convertibles? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mini Roadster priced from $24,350*

Zach Bowman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Performance, Mini, UK

Mini has officially announced pricing for the company's new Cooper Roadster. The tiny droptop will carry a base MSRP of $24,350 in the U.S., while the Cooper S Roadster will set you back $27,350. The top-of-the-line John Cooper Works Roadster, meanwhile, will command a sticker of $34,500 (*pricing exclude a $700 destination and handling fee). Should buyers wish to drop an automatic transmission into their Cooper Roadster or Cooper S Roadster, the two-pedal option will cost an additional $1,250, but the John Cooper Works Roadster is only available with a manual gearbox. Mini says 16-inch alloy wheels are standard on the base roadster and its S counterpart, while the topped-out JCW Roadster will roll on flashier 17-inch wheels.

That means the Cooper Roadster requires a $3,450 premium over the base hardtop Coupe, but curiously, it's cheaper than the Cooper Convertible by $600. While the latter doesn't exactly offer palatial amounts of space for rear passengers, it is still considerably more functional than its Cooper Roadster equivalent. We have to wonder if there's enough of a price differential between the two models to keep buyers from skipping the more rakish Roadster for its four-seat counterpart, but either way, we're just pleased it doesn't share the Coupe's awkward backwards-ballcap roofline. Hit the jump for the lengthy press release.

Continue reading 2012 Mini Roadster priced from $24,350*

2012 Mini Roadster priced from $24,350* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Rumormill: Mini Speedster coming to Frankfurt?

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Rendered Speculation, Rumormill

While we're big fans of the Mini Cooper and Cooper S, the Convertible has left us wanting on several levels - visibility and weight being our biggest gripes. However, the remedy may be on the way this September when Mini takes the wraps of the Cooper Roadster at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

According to L'Automobile, the concept will nix the Cooper's laughable rear seats to become a true two-seater, but will still pack a retractable soft-top that attaches to the shortened, more steeply raked windshield. Weight reduction is supposedly one of the Roadster's raisons d'être, and the French pub contends the speedster could make it to production sometime in 2010. Naturally, we're suitably skeptical, but we're looking forward to seeing the Roadster on the show stand later this year.

[Source: L'Automobile]

Rendered Rumormill: Mini Speedster coming to Frankfurt? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 May 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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