Sections: R57 (Conv.) Dec 8th, 2006 22 Comments 
Our friends at LeftLaneNews have the very first photos of the R57 2009 MINI Convertible. Due out in Europe sometime during the fall of 2008 (early 2009 for the US market), the R57 will take advantage of a platform that was conceived from the beginning to accommodate a convertible (unlike the R50 and R53).
You can see more below:
[ New MINI Conv ] LeftLaneNews
MF Analysis: With the initial development and engineering phase of the long wheelbase R55 winding down in Munich, BMW has turned their engineering and design skills to the 2009 MINI convertible, the next model to be launched in the new MINI family. The car pictured above (and in the linked articles) was built in Germany and is among the first R57 test mules finished. Expect another 8-10 months of development work to be carried out mostly in Germany (along with cold and hot weather testing) followed by production prototype work in Oxford late in the year.
You can read more about the R57 (and other upcoming MINIs) in the “MINI’s Future Models Revealed” article from last Monday.
Update: Edmund’s Straightline weblog also has a few pictures and an MF mention to boot:
[ FV Report: First spy shots of Mini convertible ] Straightline
drew Dec 8th, 2006 Link
as a card-carrying NON fan of nearly every aspect of the new design, i am oddly moved by these shots. i feel like somehow the bigger body and chunkier features do something GOOD for the convertible…hmmmmm…..
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Jon Dec 8th, 2006 Link
Looks good to me, really happy they decided to build the platform from the start with a convertable in mind.
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Dave Dec 8th, 2006 Link
I like how they are masking the front end, the tail lights, the side turn signals, and the rear fogs, even though all of those have been exposed to the world with a car already on sale. About the only masking of anything new is covering up the boot hinges.
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vin. Dec 8th, 2006 Link
Perhaps they’re attempting to mask the planned changes for the mid-cycle refresh of the R56.
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Billy Dec 8th, 2006 Link
Considering I work at Plant Oxford I certainly haven’t seen that BEAST coming down the track! Looks like we handed over a ‘56 chassis to ‘ze germans’ and they’ve fiddled with it. Fair play tho it doesn’t look half bad.
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GZ Dec 8th, 2006 Link
Gabe, how about starting a petition to get this released next year instead of the Clubman?
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msh441 Dec 8th, 2006 Link
I like it. Possibly more than the current model.
I’d like to see if there are any changes under the top, though. The biggest detractor IMO from the rag top is the funky roll bars in the rear. Could look so much cleaner if those disappeared. But, to each his own.
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MauiMac Dec 9th, 2006 Link
I was wondering when photos of the R57 would show up… Looking Great!
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GZ Dec 9th, 2006 Link
MSH441. A ragtops gotta have rollbars (doesn’t it?). The chrome covered rollbars are actually one of my favorite asthetics of the convertible. Hard to picture one without. Hmmmm
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BartMack Dec 9th, 2006 Link
What no folding hardtop-?? =)
I’ve had my droptop for 10 months now and no twinges whatsoever to trade it in…! If I can ever get past that dinnerplate speedo maybe I’ll be getting one of these.
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rkw Dec 9th, 2006 Link
Did everyone notice the reference to MotoringFile in the Edmunds article? It recognizes MotoringFile as the authority for information!
Although this prototype looks close to production, sources at MotoringFile indicate this variation on the Mini coupe could still be another year or two away.
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msh441 Dec 9th, 2006 Link
MSH441. A ragtops gotta have rollbars (doesn’t it?).
I’m honestly not 100% sure… but the Miata went for years without… the new Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Vue don’t have ‘em… neither do any of the Porsche soft tops. So there are a TON of convertibles sold in the US that don’t.
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fergusor Dec 9th, 2006 Link
It looks that the bonnet scoop is open on the R57. I wonder what that could mean!!??
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Wirelessdeo Dec 10th, 2006 Link
The roll bars on the R52 are my buggest complaints as well. I would love to see a roll bar more like (man i can not believe i’m about to say this) PT Cruiser, or Mustang. More like a wing than individual roll bars.
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Eric Dec 11th, 2006 Link
The roll bars on the R52 are my buggest complaints as well. I would love to see a roll bar more like (man i can not believe i’m about to say this) PT Cruiser, or Mustang. More like a wing than individual roll bars
FYI, on the PTC and the Wabbit, the cross bar that is seen when the roof is down is not a roll bar. Admittingly, I looked at the PTC when my MCSc ‘05 was on order. The sales guy told me that the bar was not a roll bar but rather a support bar to keep the sides from crushing in. If you flipped the PTC, you were screwed if not crushed.
As an original MCSc owner, I like the designe of the rear roll bars. However, I hate that I can’t see through them. I would love to see a feature where you can remove/lower the head rest that is inside the roll bar — that way you can see through it.
Gabe, how about starting a petition to get this released next year instead of the Clubman?
No way man! I want a Clubman too! I got to have one of each. LOL
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GZ Dec 11th, 2006 Link
Can’t say I feel any exitement for the clubman. However, I understand that it is a nod to Mini heritage as I’ve seen old models at Mini meets. Not for me but I have to admit it will be interesting to see. The roadster concept stirs my imagination to a greater extent.
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rkw Dec 11th, 2006 Link
As an original MCSc owner, I like the design of the rear roll bars. However, I hate that I can’t see through them. I would love to see a feature where you can remove/lower the head rest that is inside the roll bar — that way you can see through it.
It would be great if they could do something with the headrest. Unfortunately it may be not be so easy. The current headrest actually covers a structural crossbar that strengthens the roll bar.
By the way, a lot of people aren’t going to want to hear this, but I boldly predict that the Clubman will become MINI’s top selling model in the US. Until it goes into production, every day that passes is lost sales.
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Juno Dec 11th, 2006 Link
Interesting that the wing mirrors are all taped up too – Do you suppose we’ll see turn signals here?
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Zeke Dec 11th, 2006 Link
Pretty sure that Porsches and the other cars mentioned have rollbars that pop up in the event of a flip… I think rollbars might be required safety equipment for converts these days. Could be wrong.
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