First Photos of the 2009 MINI Convertible

Looks good to me, really happy they decided to build the platform from the start with a convertable in mind.

Perhaps they’re attempting to mask the planned changes for the mid-cycle refresh of the R56.

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.

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.

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

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.

It looks that the bonnet scoop is open on the R57. I wonder what that could mean!!??

I really like the roll bars on mine =)

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

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.

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.