Yesterday we took a closer look at the new HID Xenon system – today we'll go into detail on the
Cabrio's convertible roof itself. This following information is directly from MINI:

Creating the fully-automatic
Z-mechanism soft roof featured as standard, the designers and engineers in the MINI
team have found a particularly elegant solution combining superior function and looks
under one roof in the literal sense of the word. Without requiring the driver to release
any catches or clamps in advance, the soft roof opens smoothly at the touch of a
button, converting the MINI into a wonderful experience in open-air motoring within just
15 seconds. While the folding roof collapses to the rear, the roof pillars automatically
retract into the car and the two rear side windows move down completely. The roof is
finally folded into three layers on top of one another, resting in compact, space-saving
arrangement behind the rear seats.

With the Z-mechanism keeping the dimensions of
the roof when folded to a minimum, luggage compartment capacity is hardly restricted
in the slightest even with the roof down. And there is not even any need for a tonneau
cover, since the front end of the roof at the outside reliably protects the high-quality
soft roof lining. Available in a choice of three colours, the roof comprises a heated
glass rear window ensuring unrestricted visibility to the rear even in bad weather. And
as a further feature the MINI Convertible comes as standard with PDC Park Distance
Control for electronic parking assistance at the rear.

A further very special feature of the MINI's
roof is the additional sliding roof function: Pressing the roof opening button, the driver
first opens the integral sliding roof, then the complete soft roof as such. When opening,
the sliding roof moves back horizontally on the first 40 cm or almost 16″ and may also be
set infinitely to any desired position. In this case the side pillars remain unchanged in
their usual positioning on the A-pillars.

Since the sliding roof opens completely from
one side of the car to the other, the new open-air model provides a taste of convertible
motoring right from the start in this initial position. A particularly advantage is that you
can operate this function not only with the car at a standstill, but also while driving at a
speed of up to 120 km/h or 75 mph. Central locking with remote control in the key
opens or locks not only the doors, windows, rear lid and fuel tank cover, but also the
roof as a whole as well as the sliding roof. Form follows function.

The Z-folding roof mechanism saving space most efficiently but nevertheless quite unusual in this
segment is one of the fundamental prerequisites for the high standard of function and
versatility in opening and closing the roof. Even with the roof down, the MINI
Convertible still provides luggage compartment capacity of 120 litres – and with the
roof closed, the luggage compartment offers total capacity of 165 litres for even greater
practical value. Folding down the rear seat backrests split into two sections and locking
in position, the driver can even enlarge his luggage capacity to a remarkable 605 litres,
with the only requirement being to release the locks on the two seat elements.
Maximum load capacity is 400 kilos or 882 lb.

The Easy Load system ensures highly
practical and very generous through-loading connecting the luggage compartment with the passenger area: With the rear roof section folding up ca. 35° while closed and the rear lid folding down, the driver and his passengers have the advantage of a loading space large enough to access the luggage compartment with utmost convenience. This superior function quite unique in a vehicle of this kind provides more than ample space inside the MINI Convertible, taking up even bulky objects with ease. The luggage compartment lid, in turn, may be used conveniently as a practical loading panel when open, carrying a weight of up to 80 kg or 176 lb.