This is yet more news that many of us have been waiting for. The following is the text from an internal MINIUSA document about the official US 2005 model Cabrio specs. You can altertively download the document (PDF format) here however all info is listed below as well.
“Both cars receive the facelift features of the corresponding hardtops referenced in Bulletin PB 5-12-04, but there is MORE! The convertibles also have a significant number of unique features:
- Fully automatic convertible top with heated glass rear window, easy load feature, drop down tailgate and a sunroof seen on the right.
- Rear Roll Hoops and a reinforced A pillar for added roll over protection.
- Reinforced frame for safety.
- Side Thorax airbags in the sides of the front seats that protect not only the bodies, but also the heads of the driver and front passenger.
For MY 05, the Cooper and Cooper S Convertible will have the following exterior colors and upholstery options:
- 668 – Jet Black
- 851 – Chili Red
- 902 – Liquid Yellow
- A24 – Purple Haze
- A25 – Astro Black (Cooper Conv. ONLY)
- A26 – Hot Orange
- A27 – Cool Blue
- A28 – Hyper Blue available immediately for Cooper S Convertible. Available in 1/05 for the Cooper Convertible.
- 859 – Solid Gold (Cooper Conv. ONLY)
- 871 – Dark Silver (Cooper S Conv. ONLY)
- 895 – British Racing Green
- 900 – Pure Silver
- Additionally there are three soft-top colors: Black which is standard, 391Dark Blue and 392 Dark Green
Additionally, the following upholsteries will be available for the interior:
- T3CB � Cordoba Beige Leather
- T6LP � Dark Blue Leather
- T6PN � Panther Black Leather
- FEDC � Sunrise/Dark Blue Cloth/Leather Combo available on Sport Seats. The sunrise fabric is water resistant. Perfect for a convertible.
- K7PN � Black Leatherette /w black interior
- K7TV � Gray Leatherette/w black interior
- AHPN � Octagon Panther Black Cloth w/Black Interior (Not Available on Cooper S Conv)
- S4PN � Space Gray/Panther Black Cloth
Just like the hardtops, there are a variety of options to enhance the vehicles.
- 2TA – Limited Slip Differential will be available starting 1/05 for the Cooper S Convertible
- 205/202 � Automatic Transmission w/Steptronic paddles will be available starting 1/05 for the Cooper S Convertible
- 345 � Chrome Line Interior: This includes chromed rings around all gauges, bezels around the hazard light button and the dash light dimmer, inserts on the handbrake and a rings around the gearshift and front and rear cup holders. This can be seen below.
- 346 � Chrome Line Exterior: On the Cooper Convertible this includes 1 chrome strip integrated into the front bumper, 2 chrome strips for the rear bumper, fog light surrounds and chrome roll hoop covers. On the Convertible S chromed roll hoops are standard, so the chrome pack consists of chromed radiator grill slats and a chromed tailgate handle. Chromed mirror caps and tailgate hinges are included in both kits.
- 405 � Chrome Mirror Caps and tailgate hinges- Same as in 346, but available separately.
- 473 � Center Arm Rest (Available 1/05)
- 547 � Cockpit Chrono Pack. This is a new gauge cluster that replaces the center speedometer that moves to the steering column. The new gauges are Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, Fuel Level and Radiator Temp. The Chrono Pack requires the On-Board Computer.
- 318- Interior Surface Body Color. Now the dash and door panels are available in Hot Orange, Cool Blue, Hyper Blue, Chili Red and Liquid Yellow.
The Convenience Combo pack will also be available for the convertibles and there will be special Premium and Sport packages for the convertibles:
- ZPP Premium Pack which includes: (319) Cruise Control/Multi Function Steering Wheel (345) Chrome Line Interior (473) Center Arm Rest (Phase in 1/05) If this pack is ordered before 1/05, the Center Arm Rest will be omitted. (534) Automatic AC (550) On-Board computer (674) Harmon/Kardon Sound System
- ZSP Sport Pack which includes: (210) DSC (368) 16� 5-Star wheels w/performance tires (Cooper Conv.) (2CM) 17� 5-spoke Bullet wheels w/performance tires (Cooper S Conv.) (502) Headlamp Power Wash (520) Front Fog Lamps (522) Xenon Headlights (327) / (329) White or Black bonnet stripes if the customer desires.
Please note that the Rear Fog Light will be blanked off with a plastic insert as the position of the light is currently not legal in CA or OR. We encourage you to address your customer�s Rear Fog Light needs with a dealer installed accessory kit.
All of these new features will meld nicely with the new convertibles making one very enticing drop top. Pricing will be announced shortly. Ordering guides and all updates are now available on MINIDealerNet.com.”
Note: the numbers after each bullet indicate the MINIUSA order code.
Just a clarification: it appears that Hyperblue is available for the MCS and MCS convertible starting in July and not available on either Cooper model until 1/05.
<p>Not sure if anyone else caught this but they put the HK stereo in with the premium package instead of a separate item. If your like me and know you want the premium package but not the HK… Too bad…</p>
<p>It appears from this release that the Hyperblue is available in July not January. The previous document for the MCS, appeared to indicated January for the Hyperblue.</p>
<p>Seems like they put in the HK in lieu of the sunroof in the hardtop premium package since the packages remain the same for the hardtop.</p>
<p>The new colors and fabrics seem cool. Curious why the hardtop gets grey interior with grey leatherette and the convertible gets the grey leatherette with the grey interior… I personally liked the grey interior with black leatherette which is no longer an option.</p>
<p>This info is great though!</p>
<p>I meant grey leatherette with black interior for the convertible. Sorry…</p>
<p>From the info posted it looks like I won't be able to get a 05 Cooper in Pepper White. Can anyone tell me it's not true? I love that color on the Mini.</p>
<p>At least they should paint the dreaded plastic cap in the appropriate body color!?</p>
<p>It's still available as a hard top but not in Convertible form.</p>
<p>Harumph… no electric blue either.</p>
<p>This is a little off the subject but has anybody ever noticed how sticky the clear material is on top of the shifter. At first thought I had something sticky on my hand. Most plastic isn't that sticky. I heard that it was a conscious thing by MINI to help keep your hand from sliding off the shifter. True? False? Myth? Bueller….anybody?…R</p>
<p>R- yes- I noticed that too, but the newer cars have updated ones with a hard plastic insert and the leather stitching is revised too, so the stitches are on the inside and don't irritate your fingers the way the older one does. Check out any of the cars in your dealer's showroom and you'll see the difference.</p>
<p>GJR-I like the sticky top. I think it, if indeed it was made as a safety item, works well. If it was just a happy accident that's cool also. I wonder if it was planned? Mine is a 2002 MCS..R</p>
<p>I noticed that my sticky plastic on top of shifter gets mad dirty and looks crumby!</p>
<p>I was told at the dealer's that you could not get an 2005 Cooper in the hot orange, only the Convertable… but on this website it does not say (convertible ONLY) after hot orange…. so CAN you get a Cooper in hot orange if it's not a convertible? I'm not sure I can afford a conv. but I absolutely LOVE the orange!
Help!</p>
<p>Hot Orange is for the convertible only.</p>