The 'new' new Mini has been on the street for some time now, all except for the drop-top version, that is. That model is scheduled to debut at the upcoming Detroit auto show in January.
Well guess what folks? Official looking images have been leaked, and they are now up on the Net. Surprised? I didn't think so.
Also not much of a surprise is that the car hasn't changed much visually from the Gen-I new Mini. Yeah, it's got all the other new-new Mini upgrades, plus a few special items unique to this model. So if you loved the old-new Mini drop-top, you will love this new-new Mini drop-top as well. The car will go on sale next Spring.
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Blech. On the list of cars that are ruined by becoming a convertible, the Mini may be at the top.
This is MINI's Chevy Bumblebee fighter!
Will he be a Decepticon?!?
Not much of a surprise on the exterior - its a R56 with the top chopped.
The interior "top down" gauge is strange, but no stranger then the rest of the interior.
Well it seems the news embargo has struck again. The pics were removed from that link.
I think the Mini convertible is great. The only downside is oversized overdone rollbar (glad to hear it's gone) and the excessive jump in price over the regular Mini (bet that stays.
It really is a Miata for those of us with small kids.
Agreed, a Miata for 4.
I just hope the back seat is liveable. The old one was too upright, seat cushions too low, and no room for legs.
Mini Convertible and Miata? Yeah they can't be any different. The mini convertible is a chubby, slow, poor handling FWD piggy compared to a Miata. The only thing they share in common: a drop top.
I own an R56 Cooper S. My family still owns several different models of Miata. If the Cooper S is a 7 on the fun to drive scale (that's pushing it), the Miata is an easy 8. Add weight to a Cooper and the fun goes down fast.
"chubby, slow, poor handling FWD piggy "
I only had a couple hours behind the wheel of a Mini S convertible last year but not one of those words came to mind. Sure it's FWD but like the original Mini, it's not a disadvantage.
I agree the Miata is better. I would give it a 9 on the fun to drive scale, driving Miatas was by far the best part of my time as a Mazda salesman.
But the Mini is great too. I driven my cousins 2005 Cooper S many times (whenever he needs to borrow my truck) and I would give it an 8.5 out of 10 for fun to drive. I noticed very little difference in the convertible (except for the terrible rear visibility).
If I were still single I would likely pick the Miata first but I have a family and to buy a car without a place for the kids is a needless waste.
Especially when something as good as the Mini is available.