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The online press introduction of the MINI Convertible is now online for all to enjoy. There are nine video parts to the event including a Q&A with MINI USA VP Jim McDowell and a segment on future plans for the brand. For fans of the R57 convertible or just fans of the MINI brand, this is a must see online experience.
+ MINIUSA R57 Press Conference / MINI USA
<p>I wonder if they got to keep the chairs?</p>
<p>openometer – a classic!</p>
<p>magnifique</p>
<p>I think the openometer is a great idea! The Mini is all about being fun and it fits the image.</p>
<p>I can’t wait to see how long it takes for someone to try to repurpose that openometer housing something else???</p>
<p>Given that and engine temp gauge, lateral g and something else (?) will soon be available for that location, I wouldn’t want to take up the spot for an openometer..</p>
<p>I remember the something else was % engine torque. I’d rather have the new coolant temp and % engine torque in the tach locations than the openometer.</p>
<p>i’d never close the top. Ever</p>
<blockquote>I can’t wait to see how long it takes for someone to try to repurpose that openometer housing something else???</blockquote>
<p>I’ve wondered the same, and it will depend on the construction. Although the tach and openometer are shaped to look like separate units, underneath it could be a single circuit board that may not be easy to split apart. This was true of the 1st gen Nav/Chrono with the dual tach/speedo gauges over the steering column — it has a single circuit board shaped like an “8” and there are IC components even in the narrow middle part.</p>
<p>One more thing about the openometer — you won’t be able to install the new JCW accessory gauges that go on the sides of the tach. I believe the openometer will be standard on US spec convertibles and you’d actually have to spend money to get rid of it if you want the JCW gauges.</p>
<p>Notice the diesel comments? Open discussion but no decision, and if one were to be considered, it would have to be 50 state, and have a significant mileage bump over current engine technology.</p>
<p>Translation: don’t hold your breath…</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>I like the Summer position Icon in the matrix orange. That is very cool, I could not get the car show MINI convertible to show this.
I guess the summer position is now the “all season position” :)</p>
<p>BTW , I would like a MINI studio chair in my name please.</p>
<p>“Mike” would be fine.</p>
<p>I wonder if they sell those chairs?</p>
<p>A very interesting item to watch….kudos to MINIUSA for putting it together!!</p>
<p>Even though I understand and agree with the reason, I am always surprised to hear Cooper high-end mpg mentioned at 37 highway. I drive all around town in my manual Cooper (and have for 1.5 years) and my mpg seldom (if ever) dips below 40 mpg (OBC)…in fact, right now it sits happily at 45.3 mpg. Of course, there are lots of variables in the mpg game and so I think MINI would not want to raise any expectations out there beyond what EPA ratings might indicate. Still, the car is far more impressive than the official numbers tell.</p>
<p>Saw the MCSC last night at the car show. Looked great! I liked it better than the R56 coupe for some reason. They had the car roped off and the top up though (?) So you couldn’t see it they way it should be seen.</p>
Who’s in the audience and how did they get to be there?