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I just received another set of new MINI convertible photos from an anonymous reader. This set was taken recently in the southwest of the US during hot climate testing. These photos, like others before them, show us a relatively camouflage free car with almost all it's design details exposed including the convertible top and rear rollover loops. According to MINI's internal product schedule dealers should get to see the finished product in the coming months.
<p>please tell me that the rear quarter windows are going to roll down! If you are going to put the top down and the front windows you HAVE to put the rears down!
oh please please….</p>
<p>It just doesn't excite me…for some reason it doesn't look like the fun go-kart of a car like the non-cabrio. Not sure what I expected, but I like the lines of the current car much more. Maybe it looks better in person, but I'm glad I didn't wait to purchase one.</p>
<p>Yes the rear windows will go down.</p>
<p>Is it me or does the rear of the car seem clean as opposed to sides being very dirty.I wonder if the air flow has changed to the rear</p>
<p>In photo 3, what is that to the rear of the door? It looks almost as if it is a hand and arm, but where would this “reflection” be coming from? From its clarity and color, it would seem as if it were right next to the car.</p>
<p>I dunno.. Not a big fan of it. Doesn't look as put-together as the coupe does. Might need a little more convincing for me.</p>
<p>Def not for me. Kills the whole looks of the car IMO. Makes it look like a VW Cabrio. MINI needs a hardtop, after all the two tone roof is what makes a MINI a MINI.</p>
<p>I think MINI needs a cabrio out in the street to compete with VW's midly successful New Beetle Cabrio.</p>
<p>I agree with others that the transition from a hardtop coupe to a convertible fails to get my juices flowing. The trademark in the current MINI design is the “LID” hardtop and all around pillarless glass effect. Once you remove the hardtop, the impact of the design is gone and the car looks like something else (Like an old VW Cabrio).</p>
<p>I am sure the car will be a hit with the right type of buyer and perhaps will sell in lower quantities than the 3 door hatchback. The MINI OPEN will be one unique car in the lineup without a doubt.</p>
<p>I am not sure if I like the exposed trunk door hinges. It follows the classic looks of the original but I am not sure if exposed hinges look just as well integrated in the new design.</p>
<p>I am reserving full judgement until I get to see one in the flesh in about 10 or so months from now.</p>
<p>I don't like it.</p>
<p>With the top down, it's a cute car – you still have to smile when you see it. But the rear with the top up leaves a lot to be desired. Let's face it, that top's only an “in case of emergency” kind of thing to be used if you got caught unexpectedly in the rain. If you knew it was going to rain, you'd be more stylish getting around with something else – like your bike. (Ok, it's not that bad, but I couldn't resist). Not crazy about that antenna placement either.</p>
<p>I don't like it, it's not the same MINI I know and love without the landing strip flat top. That being said, BMW would have been fools not to make this variant, as quite a few people have asked me if there was a convertable, and when I told them no, they were quite disapointed, as they would consider buying a MINI if there was.</p>
<p>Let's see here…</p>
<p>This car will not be as nimble as the hardtop because of the added weight a convertible brings. So it will have a more dull turn-in, which dilutes the great MINI steering feel.</p>
<p>It loses the trademark roof and overall “bulldog” look the regular MINI has.</p>
<p>It will also be more sluggish in terms of acceleration.</p>
<p>So besides having a slightly fresher look, what incentive is there for someone to purchase this over a Beetle convertible (the turbo Beetle cabrio will be released soon), which has more leg space for rear passengers?</p>
<p>I wonder why it's missing all of its “S” features? Like the gas cap and the S badges.</p>
<p>It's missing badges and the gas cap because this is a lightly disguised prototype that wasn't meant to be seen.</p>
<p>I think it's worth noting that MINI will only be selling a small number of convertibles in the US every year. Imagine probably a sixth of the Cooper/Cooper S's sold in the US.</p>
<p>I'm sure it would be fun in the So Cal sun. Will the top always be the body color or can you have a contrasting color? The antenae placement is…uggggg.</p>
<p>Contrasting top colors will be offered.</p>
<p>the view out of the back with the hood up looks like it would be horrendous. Also the antenna looks 'stuck on' up there, hopefully this is just a part-finished car</p>
<p>I definitely don't like it,and I don't like what BMW is doing with the car, especially the talk of a four door. Next it we will hear rumors of a staion wagon and maybe a Mini SUV or Minivan. A mini should be a two door coupe in my opinion. Everything else begins to dilute the character and the integrity of the product line.</p>
<p>The thing we have to remember is that MINI needs to bring out new models in order to diversify their line to better insulate themselves from possible market turmoil. BMW brass have said all along that MINI cannot survive with only one type of car. </p>
<p>I would think the fact that they've decided to push back the introduction of other variations of the MINI would be a sign that they are trying hard not to introduce something that would dilute the brand.</p>
<p>Gabe is absolutely right. BMW's executives have stated since the beginning of time that MINI can not survive as a standalone brand with just one body style in their model lineup. I disagree with the comments from poster David S, because historically, the Mini has been offered in more than 1 body style. The classic Mini has also seen a small station wagon (Called the Clubman Traveller), a panel truck version, a pickup truck, a 4-wheel drive vehicle, the classic Mini MOKE and even a few aftermarket convertibles that exist in the world today.</p>
<p>I think it is also a bit selfish to say that the MINI should only be offered as a 3 door hatchback and the MCS only with a manual transmission. We don't have children yet, but when we do, we would like for MINI to offer a 5 door station wagon with all the trademark looks, performance and handling dynamics of the current model, while offering a more family oriented vehicle that is also fun to own and drive.</p>
<p>We refuse to buy into the mantra that when you have kids you need to purchase either a Minivan or a SUV. We dislike that type of vehicle completely and if MINI addresses the family market segment, I think they will have tons of success offering a beautiful Traveller station wagon model.</p>
<p>Like I said, I dislike Minivans and rest assured that we will not see a Minivan version of the MINI….uh, uh ain't gonna happen.</p>
<p>So let others live and have their own set of options and choices, shall we??</p>
<p>I believe with this variant, MINI failed to follow the silhouette/profile of the MINI hardtop unlike VWs succesful mimicry of the hard top New Beetles. I wish MINI would bring the wagon variant instead.</p>
<p>To answer a commentator's question about incentives on buying a NBC over a MINI open, let's see: the VW NB Cabrio looks better closed or open, the turbo has been available for a while now, 3 color choices of top, proven automatic rollover support protection (as oppose to MINI's permanent hoops).</p>
<p>I agree that the new cabrio is not to my taste. I orginally thought that a convertible MINI would be a great idea, but it just looks so… un-MINI! The squared-off shape is lost with the ragtop, and it strongly resembles the VW Cabrio. It's just not as eye-popping as our beloved coupes!</p>
<p>mini cooper cabrio- mini cooper s cabrio</p>