R57 MINI Convertible Starts Test Production
A quick note for all those convertible fans out there. The next generation MINI convertible (based on the R56 platform) started test production at the Oxford Plant this past Monday. The car was an Astro Black Cooper with almost no options as is customary with production mules.
Like the R56 (Coupe) before it, the R57 Convertible will undergo an extensive redesign using the new “Prince” family of engines. Not a surprise to most MINI enthusiasts. However what will be a surprise to some is the automatic roll-over system that will replaces the vision impairing roll-bar hoops on the current (R52) model. This is the same system we reported on last summer that will be technically similar to the one in the 1 and 3 series convertibles.
Expect the new MINI convertible to debut in the fall of 2008 for European markets and the Spring of 2009 in North America.
Related:
[ The R57: Seriously Always Open ] MotoringFile
Glad to hear that rumors of an even more obtrusive roll bar (based on the spy photos shown this summer) seem to be untrue.
I don’t mind my rollercoaster bars – but I know that this will be a huge improvement for others who do.
Popup vs. permanent roll bars is all about which compromise you prefer. Popup traditionaly eliminates folding rear seats. Fixed roll bars reduces visability. Having no roll bars frees up space, improves visability and allows folding seats at the cost of safety. Loss of safety in this market is bad so this leaves practicality vs visability. I guess that after listening to feedback from owners over the last three years MINI has decided that visability is more important than practicality. This is of course assuming that MINI/BMW hasn’t come up with some innovative solution that allows the MINI cabrio to have both folding seats and a popup roll bar.
Goodbye fold down rear seats, hello visibility and extra weight!
In a way I think it’s a good change. I rarely do lower the rear seats, although it was always nice to know I could. But I hope MINI really does their homework and surprises us with a new cabrio that is lighter (or at least no heavier) than the current one, and a lot more rigid. Loaded Mini cabrios aren’t cheap – they easily hit real BMW territory – so maybe they’ll give us a few premium things.. how about an aluminum bonnet like the Z4 to lower weight??
BMW does claim that the rear seats in the 3-series convertible are fold-down . . . And the press release for the 1-series cabrio does refer to “Spacious trunk supplemented by folding seat backs and storage bag”
Spring ’09 or ’08?
>Spring ‘09 or ‘08?
Spring of ’09 for the US market. Fall of 2008 for European markets.
BMW 3 series DOES have fold down seats – relax.
Damnit, I was thinking of getting a Mini Cooper S Convertible. Now if I do so, it will be obsolete by Spring of 2009. That sucks. Oh well, thanks for the information.