A quick update for all those looking forward to the next MINI convertible. As many readers probably know the car wil be codenamed the R57 and will be based entirely on the R56. It’s top design will be a slightly updated version of the current R52 convertible with a larger glass rear window. Also making it’s debut is a pop-up roll-bar system that will take the place of the current vision robbing set-up.
Currently 4-6 test mules are coming off the production line at MINI’s Oxford Plant each week. The mules are meant for final testing before production.
Be sure to check out our R57 section for further details.
R52 = Introduced summer of 2004 as 2005 model. Rides on the same platform as the late R50 (Cooper) and R53 (Cooper S) hardtops built from 2001 until 2006. The engines in the R52 cabrios are both Brazilian built at the TRITEC engine assembly plant in Curitiba, Brazil. The engine is of Chrysler design origin, uses SOHC design, metal timing chain and cast iron block. In the R52 Cooper Cabrio, the engine is a normally aspirated Tritec that produces 115HP and its mated to either a 5-speed Getrag manual transmission or a Belgium built ZF CVT automatic. For the R52 Cooper S Cabrio, the engine is the Supercharged version of the same TRITEC engine (EATON supercharger)producing 168HP and it is mated to either a 6-speed Getrag manual transmission or a Toyota sourced 6-speed AISIN automatic with steering wheel paddle shifters.
The interior, dashboard, seats, door cards, etc is essentially the same as the R50/53 hardtops.
The all new R57 convertible rides on the same platform as the current R56 MINI hardtop coupes and R55 MINI Clubman. It is powered by a Peugeout/PSA-BMW sourced 1.6L 4 cylinder engine with direct fuel injection, VANOS technology and twin scroll turbocharger in the S models. The engine has DOHC design, variable valve timing and an aluminum block. This engine is also known as the “Prince” engine.
The normal aspirated version of the Prince engine is rated at 118HP and the Turbocharged version at 172HP (And 192HP with overboost active). The advantage of the Prince engine over the older TRITECs are more torque down low (90% of the engine’s torque is available @ 1,700RPM), have in average 4-5MPG better fuel economy than the TRITEC engines and have lower emissions/cleaner carbon foot print.
The interior of the R57 Cabrio is pretty much the same (Unless the R57 already has been refreshed) as the current R56 hardtop and R55 Clubman. Suspension setup is different between the two generations, so does steering feel. The R57 will have a more comfortable ride and a little more vague steering compared to the R52s.
These are pretty much, in a nut shell, the differences between both generations.
I forgot to add that all R56, R55 and R57 models offer either a revised 6-speed manual Getrag transmission or a 6-speed Toyota sourced AISIN 6-speed automatic with steering wheel paddles. The ZF CVT automatic is no longer offered on the second gen MINI.
One big thing I know and I am an R52 owner and love it, is the R52 was an afterthought and not built from or engineered may I say from the ground up. I uderstand the R57 is and as a result should be a better cabrio. Also the bigger window and pop up rool bars should eliminate the small area in the rear. Now if someone is not a fan of the changed R56 then they will also not like the R57 and I know there are 2 camps on this. I am looking forward to Satellite Radio and Bluetooth integration too.
The problem it is I am not sure if I can’t wait until March 2009 to buy a R57.
I’ll go to the Mini Take the States event in one month… but I thought that if I buy it a Mini in September was a R57, but I have to wait close to a year…. ummm
Cesar, if history is any indication of future performance, I am willing to bet that the R57 cabrio will be released in Europe around the November ’08 timeframe following the US launch in February ’09. So if you custom order a new R57 from the factory, you probably won’t be taking delivery until late Feb or early March next year.
MINI followed pretty much the same market launch schedules for both the R56 coupe and the R55 Clubman.
Just curious, what does MINI do with these test mules after they are done? Crush them into a neat and tidy cube?
They repaint them and sell them as brand new cars.
They shoot them out of a cannon.
…and then crush them.
any chance of this hitting the uk market before the end of the summer?
I will be first in line to order. Trading my 05 R52
Any hint on colors????
Hello Guys, I would like to know what it is the difference between R52 and R57.
I’m planning to buy one but I would like to be sure if wait for R57 or not buy a R52.
R52 = Introduced summer of 2004 as 2005 model. Rides on the same platform as the late R50 (Cooper) and R53 (Cooper S) hardtops built from 2001 until 2006. The engines in the R52 cabrios are both Brazilian built at the TRITEC engine assembly plant in Curitiba, Brazil. The engine is of Chrysler design origin, uses SOHC design, metal timing chain and cast iron block. In the R52 Cooper Cabrio, the engine is a normally aspirated Tritec that produces 115HP and its mated to either a 5-speed Getrag manual transmission or a Belgium built ZF CVT automatic. For the R52 Cooper S Cabrio, the engine is the Supercharged version of the same TRITEC engine (EATON supercharger)producing 168HP and it is mated to either a 6-speed Getrag manual transmission or a Toyota sourced 6-speed AISIN automatic with steering wheel paddle shifters.
The interior, dashboard, seats, door cards, etc is essentially the same as the R50/53 hardtops.
The all new R57 convertible rides on the same platform as the current R56 MINI hardtop coupes and R55 MINI Clubman. It is powered by a Peugeout/PSA-BMW sourced 1.6L 4 cylinder engine with direct fuel injection, VANOS technology and twin scroll turbocharger in the S models. The engine has DOHC design, variable valve timing and an aluminum block. This engine is also known as the “Prince” engine.
The normal aspirated version of the Prince engine is rated at 118HP and the Turbocharged version at 172HP (And 192HP with overboost active). The advantage of the Prince engine over the older TRITECs are more torque down low (90% of the engine’s torque is available @ 1,700RPM), have in average 4-5MPG better fuel economy than the TRITEC engines and have lower emissions/cleaner carbon foot print.
The interior of the R57 Cabrio is pretty much the same (Unless the R57 already has been refreshed) as the current R56 hardtop and R55 Clubman. Suspension setup is different between the two generations, so does steering feel. The R57 will have a more comfortable ride and a little more vague steering compared to the R52s.
These are pretty much, in a nut shell, the differences between both generations.
I forgot to add that all R56, R55 and R57 models offer either a revised 6-speed manual Getrag transmission or a 6-speed Toyota sourced AISIN 6-speed automatic with steering wheel paddles. The ZF CVT automatic is no longer offered on the second gen MINI.
Cesar. Buy an R52 now and thank me later.
One big thing I know and I am an R52 owner and love it, is the R52 was an afterthought and not built from or engineered may I say from the ground up. I uderstand the R57 is and as a result should be a better cabrio. Also the bigger window and pop up rool bars should eliminate the small area in the rear. Now if someone is not a fan of the changed R56 then they will also not like the R57 and I know there are 2 camps on this. I am looking forward to Satellite Radio and Bluetooth integration too.
Don’t forget the new “frog-like” headlights (which is also in the R56 and R55). I can never get over that.
Guuaaao C4… better impossible.. thanks…
The problem it is I am not sure if I can’t wait until March 2009 to buy a R57.
I’ll go to the Mini Take the States event in one month… but I thought that if I buy it a Mini in September was a R57, but I have to wait close to a year…. ummm
Cesar, if history is any indication of future performance, I am willing to bet that the R57 cabrio will be released in Europe around the November ’08 timeframe following the US launch in February ’09. So if you custom order a new R57 from the factory, you probably won’t be taking delivery until late Feb or early March next year.
MINI followed pretty much the same market launch schedules for both the R56 coupe and the R55 Clubman.