New wheels, new color, new car, what more could we ask for in a spy shot. We've seen the wheels (seen here several months ago) and we've seen the car many times over via spy photographers but we've never seen a fullfledged 2005 spec MCS Cabrio. Another big thanks to MINI2 founder Paul Mullet who with a friend risked an altercation with rather large men to get the above photo. Here's an excerpt of the whole story:
During a recent conversation with a MINI representative I asked if they could tell me anything at all about the forthcoming MINI Cooper S Convertible. I was politely reminded it hasn't been confirmed yet! So, when I received a hot tip that something was going on in central London, myself and colleague Lewis Pobjoy just had to take the chance, and embark on what was most likely to prove a complete wild goose chase!
As luck would have it, we struck gold. There, right outside one of the tube stations we took in during our “MINI Hunt of London” was a beautiful MINI Cooper S Convertible, and what's more, in a new colour, we believe will be called Blackeye Purple, with a lovely Blue and Black leather interior, and a blue canvas hood. It was also shod with the as yet unreleased R91 5 spoke alloy wheels! The hood was folded back, and the car was creating quite a stir, much to the apparent annoyance of the rather large security team and various technicians on site.
After chatting with a rather nice (but big) man who kindly told us to put all cameras away (well, who wouldn't try their luck at once), we gathered that the car, in full production spec, was being used to film a commercial for MINI. We couldn't get anymore information than that, but we were a few feet away from a production spec car, that, officially, doesn't exist yet!
…As far as we could tell the car was a complete '05 spec MINI Cooper S convertible. The interior dials had the new chrome surrounds (shown exclusively on MINI2) as well as the new three piece dashboard. From the rear we could also take a peek into the opened boot area, which is almost exactly the same as the hard top, only it's “cut off” at the top, where the parcel shelf would usually be. The hood looked very tidy when retracted. We did not see them close the roof at any stage, despite the threat of rain from above.
Well done Paul. You can read the entire article at MINI2 here.
You can learn more about the new wheels here and the 2005 MINI Cabrio here.
<p>Paul states on his site that there is no external changes coming for next year's MCS, but by my own side by side comparison, I think there might be some subtle changes to the curvature of the air dam. I'm not exactly sure though. What does everyone think? If no big changes are coming, I'm placing my order this week!</p>
<p>I like the wheels. Any chance they will come on 04 cars?</p>
<p>They will be for the '05 model year to be released late next summer.</p>
<p>05 for the rims, that stinks but then again there's time to save up. I sure want a set of those for my S. Any Idea about pricing?</p>
<p>Haven't heard about final pricing but I would imagine they'd be similar priced to the current S-lites.</p>
<p>Did anyone notice that the mirror caps are body colored? That's a nice touch too, but I think this purple color would look fantastic with chrome mirror caps.</p>
<p>Now I can see easy how much space I have in the back of my MCS 🙂 but who cares….</p>
<p>I like the new color, and can't wait to see the cabrio in real….</p>
<p>Ok, this is mentioned nowhere that I can see, what the heck is that green crap on the front and rear bumpers, something to disguise the details?</p>
<p>That's exactly what I would assume it is.</p>
<p>Who can answer this one; If the radio antenna is center mounted at the top of the windscreen – Where will MINI put the GPS Nav antenna? Or is nav not an option??</p>
<p>Bear</p>
<p>Where will MINI put the GPS Nav antenna? Or is nav not an option??</p>
<p>i think that you have to be patient for that answhere.
The specs are not there.</p>
<p>I'm guessing that the rear seats don't fold forward anymore cuz of the roll bars, right? Anyone seen how much trunk space this new Mini cab will have?</p>
<p>More pictures of the ragtop can be found here <a href="http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=751&fArticleId=323593" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=751&fArticleId=323593</a></p>
<p>Nice shade of “Shark Blue”. Really like the color, but I am not sure it fully suits the MINI. I am used to seeing this color in the BMW 3 series.</p>
<p>I will say this again…I can't get excited over this MINI Cabrio. To me once you remove the solid roof, you take away 50%+ of the car's charm. I am sure many buyers will dig it, but the MINI is one of those cars not meant to be a convertible. Quite the opposite to the VW New Beetle cabrio that looks miles better than its solid roof companion.</p>
<p>Don't expect the same cargo practicality found on the current hatchback model. I suspect that the MINI OPEN does not have much trunk space (Actually the trunk lid and cavity is exactly the same as the old classic Mini) due to the folding canvas roof mechanism.</p>
<p>I also personally find that losing the roof airbags is a big safety compromise.</p>
<p>In conclusion, if you have to have a ragtop “roadster” you'll do better in a Miata.</p>
<p>Frank, Miata?? What’s the point here? OK, I'll give you some of the charm stuff but, the other points seem well a bit pointless….. </p>
<p>Safety, I don't see a Miata with head airbags. I don't see a Miata seating 4 people or even three if I count correctly. Ok so this might be personal opinion but cargo space can be the trunk or the back seats. Safety as I stated is the same. Color, well I really like the new whatever they'll call it and I just can't see myself considering a Miata over this. No flames intended.</p>
<p>love it! its much better than previous pics. Nice color too, very classy and fun at the same time. thanks!</p>