2009 R57 MINI Convertible Revealed

Zack Sep 27th, 2008 Link

Wow. I think I may be getting a cabrio this time around. : D

Jason Sep 27th, 2008 Link

Leave it to MINI! The “Always Open Gauge” is GENIUS!!!

rkw Sep 27th, 2008 Link

Nice news scoop!

The “always open” gauge is useless, silly and may have a negative effect overall. The fact is that most people drive their convertibles (any brand) top up most of the time. People don’t want to buy a convertible and have it in their face how little they put the top down. However it would be really cool to install an extra gauge or two inside that mount.

R57...when??? - Page 7 - MINI2 - MINI Forum Sep 27th, 2008 Link

[...] R57 MINI Cabrio Photos Revealed MotoringFile Archive R57 MINI Cabrio Photos Revealed [...]

VMMVMMM Sep 27th, 2008 Link

Are you sure that’s black trim, or is that just the lighting in the picture? If it is indeed the case, I think that’s cool, as that is a common mod.

GregW Sep 27th, 2008 Link

The boot lid thing looks interesting and how the marketing people get all those cases to fit is amazing. The folded down roof still looks like an afterthought and just sits on the back. Why not make it fold away under a flush cover (like BMW) to make the whole thing tidier and better looking? Its not like they were trying to make more storage space in this model. Isn’t the chrome line trim an option anyhow?

lavardera Sep 27th, 2008 Link

grill trim looks black too.

eto Sep 27th, 2008 Link

I really like what has been done with the boot. Very ingenious way to make the space more accessible. I also really like the chocolate brown top. I’ve never really been interested in getting a convertible, but I really like the R57!

prkali Sep 27th, 2008 Link

The the fact that the boot hinges are nonexistent makes the whole back of the MINI look quite clean!!! I like-y!!!

C4 Sep 27th, 2008 Link

How about side/head airbags for rear passengers?

C4 Sep 27th, 2008 Link

Is it me or is that removing the metal roof makes the R57 look better proportion than its R56 brother?

dickdavid Sep 27th, 2008 Link

Looks really good. I’m not a big convertible fan, but I’m pretty impressed with the way this turned out.

ScottRiqui Sep 27th, 2008 Link

I don’t think the “Always Open” gauge measures the percentage of anything – looking at the gauge, it’s marked in hours (0-6) on the inner ring, and minutes (0-60) on the outer ring. I’m not really sure what it’s supposed to measure, actually – does it just start counting up when you drop the top, so you know how long it’s been since you had the top up?

Also, if you look at the fourth picture (the one with the luggage) and the last picture (top-up rear view), something doesn’t make sense. The flip-up “lid” for the boot shown in the fourth picture seems to be at least 8-10 inches deep front-to-rear, but in the last picture, the rear edge of the top comes all the way to the rear of the car – where’s the boot lid?

There are no wrinkles in the top in the “luggage picture”, so it doesn’t appear that the rear of the top slides forward when you open the boot lid or anything like that.

Max Sep 27th, 2008 Link

Hmmm… Now I’m wondering about the upcoming mid-model refresh anticipated for the 2010 model year. Will the convertible be designated as a 2010 model?

If the convertible will have all the mid-model refresh updates, then apart from the new colors, I can’t see any differences. But I notice that the black trim below the rear bumper looks different from the one on the coupe.

2009 MINI Cooper Convertible photos hit the web | driive.com Sep 28th, 2008 Link

[...] Show, Convertibles, Economy, MINI Click above for a gallery of the 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible MotoringFile, ground zero on the web for all things MINI, has the scoop on the long-awaited 2009 MINI Cooper [...]

CraigE Sep 28th, 2008 Link

I really like what has been done with the boot. Very ingenious way to make the space more accessible.

Actually, MINI has had the same expandable boot opening since the first convertibles. There are two handles that you pull inwards and the top part of the boot hinges up. This nearly doubles the size of the opening. What appears to have changed are the hinges on the tail gate and possibly the loss of the folding rear seats.

Automotive News » Blog Archive » 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible photos hit the web Sep 28th, 2008 Link

[...] Show, Convertibles, Economy, MINI Click above for a gallery of the 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible MotoringFile, ground zero on the web for all things MINI, has the scoop on the long-awaited 2009 MINI Cooper [...]

minimalist Sep 28th, 2008 Link

if you study the photos closely the rear seat back is still split 50/50 though wether this is still the through loading or just to create a luggage platform is unclear

Petkunterä Sep 28th, 2008 Link

I don’t think that Always Open gauge is measuring percentage. It looks like it says “hours” in the inner ring and the outer ring goes from 0 to 60 in increments of 15 so they’re probably minutes. I think it will start counting from zero every time you put the top down.

AUSmotive.com » MotoringFile lifts the lid on 2009 MINI convertible Sep 28th, 2008 Link

[...] MINI website MotoringFile has revealed the first images of the new R57 MINI Convertible. Most styling cues are as to be [...]

Ned Sep 28th, 2008 Link

The always open guage is a ridiculous idea. In the UK and Ireland, it predominatly rains, so the guage will be showing a paltry 1% ratio I’d imagine here, reinforcing the idea that next time around, a normal hatch would probably be a better purchase.

My other half has an R52, and even without the guage, she’s still complaining about how little the roof goes down due to the weather. With the guage smugly reminding her every time she drives … I hate to think of the long term implications for my wallet.

rhawth99 Sep 28th, 2008 Link

That is a nice looking yellow color! I’m not a big convertible fan but this looks good.

Too bad MINI can see fit to install a totally useless ‘open’ gauge but won’t give the R57 a proper temperature or oil pressure gauge.

rs Sep 28th, 2008 Link

cool gauge. I’m gonna buy the housing then insert some useful gauges in my JCW using that shell. They’ll make something corny like that but don’t give you temp/boost or volts or something useful.

mike Sep 28th, 2008 Link

C4 asked:

Is it me or is that removing the metal roof makes the R57 look better proportion than its R56 brother?

I’m not sure if that assumption can be made from these photos. To me the worst part of the R56 is the front overhang. There’s really no good shots showing that angle.

Time, of course, will tell.

R57 Mini Convertible revelado extraoficialmente Sep 28th, 2008 Link

[...] | Motoring File Enviar [...]

Fotos do MINI Cooper Conversível 2009 aparecem na net Sep 28th, 2008 Link

[...] MotoringFile] Fotos do MINI Cooper Conversível 2009 aparecem na netVeja algumas notícias [...]

r57 Pictures, pre-debut shots - MINI2 - MINI Forum Sep 28th, 2008 Link

[...] lamp that I think measures your "topless time" or "down time" … see more here. Being patient is going to be very tough! Waiting to finalize the order on a MINI Cooper S [...]

El nuevo Mini Cabrio ya se ha filtrado a internet Sep 28th, 2008 Link

[...] | Autoblog.nl Más información | MotoringFile En MotorPasion | Fotos espía del MINI Cabrio 2009 trackback ¿Recomendarías este post? [...]

rkw Sep 28th, 2008 Link

I’m gonna buy the housing then insert some useful gauges in my JCW using that shell

Unfortunately, it will probably be like the current situation where you can only buy a complete gauge assembly, not just the housing separately.

The Always Open gauge is a cute idea where the novelty quickly wears out, and they could have used a different location. They chose a very prime and prominent location that could have been used for something more useful and desirable. Consider something even as simple as an analog clock. Would you choose an Always Open gauge over an analog clock at that location?

Cabrio King Sep 28th, 2008 Link

What is this? The senile old prune club?

The Always Open gauge is an additional novelty to add to the character of the car. Nobody would have complained if the interior was identical to that of the hatch.

Yet now that they’ve added it, it’s a stupid idea because: - Most ppl drive the car with the top up? HELLO, go buy a tin top then. Or better yet if seeing “0.1%” is too dejecting for you, go cry to mama! - An analog clock would be a better addition? Zzzzzzzzzzz better add an alarm function to wake you up after you fall asleep from the boredom that is the interior.

Pretty exciting bunch we have here…

lavardera Sep 28th, 2008 Link

It looks like the open gauge housing is molded one piece with the tach housing.

lavardera Sep 28th, 2008 Link

some strange things in the shots. 3rd photo shows car with S sidemarkers and rear bumper, but Cooper gas cap.

rkw Sep 28th, 2008 Link

All cabrios always had Cooper style gas lids. The roof mechanism did not leave enough room for the S chrome gas cover of the hardtop.

ChrisW Sep 28th, 2008 Link

Love the new cabrio-specific changes (particularly the loss of the ridiculous hinges on the tail hatch) – fortunately I find the new model’s interior ugly enough to keep me content with my ‘05 cabrio for some years to come.

Ron Sep 28th, 2008 Link

I somehow wish they did something really unique or special with the new convertible. As it is, it’s pretty much what I would have expected an R56-based convertible to be. Let’s hope that under the covers they made some significant improvements to the rigidity of the frame and the ride quality.

Overall it doesn’t really excite me enough to make me trade in my R52.

MauiMac Sep 28th, 2008 Link

Any ideas of what the MPG will be? How many more MPG does the R56 do over the previous Mini?

SFRedMCc Sep 28th, 2008 Link

Kudos to the redesign of the boot. It looks like with a little more study they could even have worked out a way to conceal the top when it’s folded down. Maybe by hinging that top door on both the front and back sides.

alpinamike Sep 28th, 2008 Link

So am I going to get credit for the Always open meter? checker Dash..no money checker side markers…no money

lol

Also seen for the time above (and unique to the convertible) will be an “always open” guage which will measure the amount of miles driven with the top open. The idea is that it will encourage owners to live the “always open” lifestyle MINI marketing has created for this car. The gauge will be located to the left side of the rev-counter.

eager2own Sep 28th, 2008 Link

The new gauge is useless and far too large and prominent (should merely be one of the display options on the OBC).

It has been reported for some time that the R57 will not lose fold-down seats — but there is still no info as to whether there will be full pass through or blocked off access as in the 1 and 3 series. In the pic it looks like there’s at least a partial pass through . . . but it is hard to tell, and it is hard to tell if it’s a ful pass through.

Filtradas las primeras imágenes oficiales del nuevo Mini Cabrio Motor Spain Sep 28th, 2008 Link

[...] Mucho tiempo llevan esperando los fans de Mini a la versión descapotable del coqueto utilitario, pero diversos problemas en su desarrollo han hecho que su presentación se haya demorado más de la cuenta, teniendo en cuenta que hace más de un año que la versión cerrada fus sustituida. Será presentado en Detroit en Enero de 2009 pero las primeras imágenes oficiales ya han aparecido en Motoring File. [...]

halogenrep Sep 28th, 2008 Link

Awesome! R57 looks smarter and better than the old one.

GregW Sep 29th, 2008 Link

probably just a ski bag access if anything?

GregW Sep 29th, 2008 Link

A Coolant temperature gauge and oil pressure gauge would be better – then we are really retro.

MotorMediaWatch September 29: VW Jetta TDI diesel: No fun, no lust +++ Tighter Loans to Deepen Auto Woes +++ Toyota Posts Production Decline +++ Viper sales talk quickens +++ 2008 BMW 650i Convertible | CarFever Network (beta) Sep 29th, 2008 Link

[...] MINI Cooper Convertible photos hit the web MotoringFile, ground zero on the web for all things MINI, has the scoop on the long-awaited 2009 [...]

GregBem Sep 29th, 2008 Link

Horizon Blue will also be available for the R55/R56! It’s already announced in the last brochure ;-) But that new cab looks great for me! :-)

Se filtran las fotos del MINI Cooper Cabrio 2009 : Blogografia /version beta/ Sep 29th, 2008 Link

[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments [...]

2009 MINI Cooper Convertible photos hit the web « car craze Sep 29th, 2008 Link

[...] MotoringFile, ground zero on the web for all things MINI, has the scoop on the long-awaited 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible. Someone slipped MF seven official shots of the Detroit-bound R57 Cooper ragtop along with some additional inside information. Obviously, it’s based on the current chassis and powertrains, so you know what you’re going to get there. Additionally, the JCW package is supposedly going to be available at launch as well. [...]

Auxillary gauge - MINI2 - MINI Forum Sep 29th, 2008 Link

[...] the new Mini cabriolet (R57) has an auxillary gauge mounted next to the tachometer. See second pic here. Its purpose (showing the driver the amount of time the top’s been down) is admittedly a bit daft, [...]

» Blog Archive » MINI Cooper Convertible Sep 29th, 2008 Link

[...] Motoringfile.com read users´ [...]

The new Mini Cabrio Sep 29th, 2008 Link

[...] Enough for you to buy a new MINI Cabrio? – via motoringfile.com [...]

AutoBlog | Νέα γενιά Mini Cooper Cabrio Sep 29th, 2008 Link

[...] Source: motoringfile.com [...]

lavardera Sep 29th, 2008 Link

The housing for the open guage on the vert may spawn an intrument package for the coupe – no telling.

As far as the gas cap – I did not realize that the internal clearance of the S & cooper gas fillers were any different. I thought it was just a cosmetic change.

2009 Mini Convertible Press Shots Slip Out Ahead Of Supposed Detroit Reveal [Detroit Auto Show] Sep 29th, 2008 Link

[...] galleryP­o­s­t(’2009Mi­n­i­Co­o­p­erVert’, 6, ‘2009 Mi­n­i­ Co­o­p­er Co­n­verti­b­le Revealed­ A Wee B­i­t Early’); [M­o­to­ringfile] [...]

eager2own Sep 29th, 2008 Link

ScottRiqui- flipping between the 2 photos (#4 and 7 above) is really creapy — there is no way to correlate the 2 . . . except to assume that serious photshopping has been done.
My guess is that photo #4 has been editted to omit the folds in the canvas as the boot lid is raised.

Next Generation Mini Cooper Cabrio Leaked at AutoSpider Sep 29th, 2008 Link

[...] [Source: motoringfile.com] [...]

rkw Sep 29th, 2008 Link

The Always Open gauge is an additional novelty to add to the character of the car.

Cabrio King, then you acknowledge that it is nothing more than a novelty. Maybe I’m stuck up and boring but I saw it as a missed opportunity for a better car. An analog clock wouldn’t be my first choice. I’d prefer a temp and/or pressure gauge. But hell yes I’d choose an analog clock over a roof meter.

Given the history of MINI cabrio tops, someone on MINI2 suggested that it should be a count down to roof replacement.

Mini Cooper descapotable 2009: llegaron las fotos del nuevo Mini Cabrío » COCHES 2.0 Sep 29th, 2008 Link

[...] ellas el logo de la página de donde las copiamos y pegamos… lamentablemente, aparece la palabra MotoringFile en cada rincón de las fotos, algo que las [...]

greg Sep 29th, 2008 Link

My two cents. I think the “open” gauge is a GREAT idea and is alot of fun. That’s what a Mini is all about. Wish I could have it on my ‘08 cabrio.

Reviews » Blog Archive » MotoringFile Intercepts Official R57 Mini Convertible Photos Sep 29th, 2008 Link

[...] MotoringFile Intercepts Official R57 Mini Convertible Photos Mini owners are, for the most part, a giant group of dorks. People who enjoy looking and acting just a bit different from everyone else. Some of the best evidence of this involves a new feature for the upcoming second-generation Mini convertible, which leaked out via MotoringFile over the weekend. The feature we’re talking about is the car’s “Always Open” gauge, a little display next to the tachometer that provides a readout of the percentage of miles driven with the top open. How dorky is that? Very, we say. Other changes given away by these photos are the obvious body updates that mirror the hardtop and Clubman models, along with the fact that the fixed roll hoops have been replaced by hidden pop-up versions. Additionally, reports say the factory-installed JCW package will be offered right from launch, which should be next spring. Source: MotoringFile [...]

eager2own Sep 29th, 2008 Link

Actually, my top is down (even when parked) from Feb. until Nov. … and I still think the gauge is dumb. My top is down and I don’t need a gimmicky novelty “gauge” to tell me that it is. This is very disappointing if it’s what MINI had hinted at as “redifining top down motoring” in early talks of the R57. If this means I’m a “senile old prune” who doesn’t “get” how much fun this new gauge will be for months and years to come — then I guess that’s what I am… now, a gauge that told me what percentage of the time I was in the redline — that would be fun.

pablum Sep 29th, 2008 Link

Hmmmmm…. Anyone else notice the brown / hot chocolate color line? Was that an announced addition? And is that dash piano black or does it match the exterior… too hard to tell from this photo.

I really like the interchange yellow. :-) Is it too early to trade my 08 mcs in? ;-)

pablum Sep 29th, 2008 Link

Yep, it appears to be blue, but that could be a photographic/processing artifact. Take a look at the large version of the always open gauge on the flickr account. You’ll see that it does appear to be blue behind the gauges….

MrChips Sep 29th, 2008 Link

I sense an “Always Open Guage Delete” option coming soon after the release? ;-)

Technology News » Blog Archive » Photos of R57 MINI Cooper Convertible: new colors Sep 29th, 2008 Link

[...] The new car should hopefully be in showrooms in the spring of 2009. If that is too long to wait, then check out more images of the R57 MINI Cooper Here. [...]

Reviews » Blog Archive » MotoringFile Intercepts Official R57 Mini Convertible Photos Sep 29th, 2008 Link

[...] MotoringFile Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and [...]

Brian Sep 30th, 2008 Link

Interchange Yellow JCW with all the options…. Yea Baby.

DavidB Sep 30th, 2008 Link

Auto Express Article

2009 Detroit Auto Show Preview: 2009 R57 Mini Convertible leaked | GT Boy - Car Blog Sep 30th, 2008 Link

[...] F­ull st­o­ry­ here. [...]

lavardera Sep 30th, 2008 Link

they still have the photos up, and they added their own water mark over the MotoringFile watermark…

Brian Sep 30th, 2008 Link

Yup all the other web site still have the photos

SCOTT27 Sep 30th, 2008 Link

I am absolutely seething about the leak.

As much still has to be done to the final marketing of the MINI cabrio. There is still a lot of final shooting to commence and the Benny Benassi music is not finished.

The main talking point regarding MINI at this current time is the MINI Concept Car. The MINI Cabrio is not due until November.

SFRedMCc Sep 30th, 2008 Link

The Auto Express’ headline is: “Images LEAK of the brand new MINI Convertible – way ahead of its Detroit Motor Show debut.” Do you think maybe it’s a British attempt to be humorous?

eto Sep 30th, 2008 Link

Wow… I think this is the first time I’ve seen a true leak through MotoringFile. I am puzzled at the release here, because there wasn’t much in the article indicating this was an unofficial leak of R57 images. MF has always been supportive of MINI, and hesitant to break media releases until the specified time unless others did so prior.

horizon blue metalic - MINI2 - MINI Forum Sep 30th, 2008 Link

[...] it on several websites, with leaked pictures of the new convertible. They were since removed — see MotoringFile Archive 2009 R57 MINI Convertible Revealed I am still seeing it on some foreign websites and others, such as …. 2009 R57 MINI Cooper [...]

GregW Sep 30th, 2008 Link

Why convertible sports cars are made by the English, where it rains or is overcast most of the time, and where a fine summers day is a rarity, and drivers wrap up in coats, caps, and turn the heater on full, is an enigma! However, I am told that to quote the song “it never rains in California, but man it pours”.

Mini Cooper R57 Cabrio Revelado - MINI2 - MINI Forum Sep 30th, 2008 Link

[...] Cooper R57 Cabrio Revelado Acab� la espera amantes de los convertibles. Acaban de quitar las fotos debido a un request legal de BMW [...]

Timmee Oct 13th, 2008 Link

Why have AutoExpress added their own watermark over the MF one?

I know it is not particularly pleasant to be served with a cease & desist, having had one myself with the JCW spec leak earlier this year. Nobody that is a brand proponent wants to fight with MINI anyway.

f650 rider Nov 1st, 2008 Link

What’s not to love? Beauty in the eye of the beholder–I’m signing up.

ShowOto.com | 2009 MINI Cooper Convertible Breaks Cover Feb 5th, 2009 Link

[...] MotoringFile , Via: [...]