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Another bit of news from the Detroit News Auto Insider (from the same article that's mentioned below):
Another variant is the Mini convertible, whose release has just been confirmed for summer of 2004. Both a 90-hp and a 115-hp model will be available at launch. A 163-hp Cooper S model follows later. The roof folds down in just 10 seconds and sits on the rear like the VW-Beetle cabrio. It will be built on the Mini line at BMW's Oxford plant.
This is the best photo yet. I don't know if it's the car or my mind playing tricks on me but somehow it seems like it's starting to look more like a proper MINI.
<p>I realy like that picture, I want the MCS Cabrio! 🙂 It would be intresting to see if they realy do bring the One over here. I wonder how much more Money this option will be?</p>
<p>I doubt the ONE will ever make it to these shores.</p>
<p>That has always been my understanding as well. I think the release date and models listed are for the UK. I figure a march '04 start build date for the Open if they want to get them to the USA for summer.</p>
<p>Yeah I think your about right. They'll need to get all the tooling for the top taken care of and that'll take a little bit of time. However there is still that <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/?Y=2003&M=05&D=28&TitleID=TheMINICabrioMayBeBuiltByPininfarina">rumor floating around</a> that Pinifarina will actually produce the MINI Open – time will tell :)</p>
<p>Personaly I wouldn't mind Pinifarina making the car, they build Ferrai's. I would have a hard time imagining the car being put together worse. I think the 3 full time shifts going at Cowley can be seen in the build quality. Many of the problems people are having (including myself) are build and not design issues. Granted I have had more than my share of issues of both kind. BTW love the RSS feed Gabe, that realy comes in handy.</p>
<p>Agree 100% Also glad to see that the <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/?Y=2003&M=03&D=10&TitleID=AnEasyWayToKeepTabsOnNewPostsAmpComments">RSS feeds</a> are being used :)</p>
<p>Gabe wrote:</p>
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<p>I doubt the ONE will ever make it to these shores.</p>
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<p>I still haven't figured out why they make the ONE. Do people really buy this model? It would have to be considerably cheaper than a Cooper to make it attractive.</p>
<p>I'll PASS! The conventional look of the MINI is pure distinction, that's why we LOVE it!!! I'd rather NOT drive around in a Beetle wannabe 🙂 Don't forget living in Chicago, you'd only have MAYBE 2 months when you could actually put the top down.</p>
<p>The reason The ONE (sounds like something outta “The Matrix”) sells in UK is that gas prices there are SPECTACULARLY HIGH. We are talking $6 per gallon or something. The MINI One uses far less gas than the Cooper – so it sells well. It won't sell well in the USA because it doesn't have A/C.</p>
<p>i actually asked mini why the one isnt sold here in the states, they told me that its not feasable overhere (90hp, etc) but its selling great in europe where (as mentioned above) gas prices are sky high. Theres even a Diesel Mini in europe to further help out people due to high gas prices.</p>