BMW SA’s recently-facelifted Mini lineup has been bolstered by the arrival of convertible versions of the Cooper and Cooper S in fabulous colours.BMW SA’s recently-facelifted Mini lineup has been bolstered by the arrival of convertible versions of the Cooper and Cooper S in fabulous colours, doll. Prices start at R207 600.


The convertible version’s waistline, accentuated by chrome strips, rises slightly towards the rear. With its top down, the convertible Mini is distinguished by a steeply raked windscreen, frameless side windows, double roll bars behind the rear seats and the space-saving folding roof without tonneau cover.


The roof is operated at the push of a button and is claimed to take 15 seconds to fold away... The integrated sliding roof slides open, followed by the entire soft roof. With the soft roof folding to the rear, the roof pillars are automatically retracted and the rear side windows move down at the same time. The intelligent Z-folding mechanism allows the complete roof to fold up in a compact arrangement behind the rear seats, with no need for a tonneau cover. The sliding roof integrated in the soft top can be opened up to 40 cm while driving, up to a speed of 120 km/h - a unique feature in the convertible market.


When open, the drop-down boot lid is held in position by two steel cables on a spring-mounted retractor system. That allows use of the lid with its exterior hinges as a loading platform for weights of up to 80 kg.


According to BMW SA, the Mini Convertible’s luggage compartment accommodates 165 litres with the roof closed and 120 litres with the top down.


To operate the Easy-Load through-loading system with the roof closed, turn two levers in the luggage compartment to fold up the bottom section of the folding top and attach it in position. With the rear lid open, there is convenient access to the luggage compartment through a large opening able to accommodate even bulky objects. And in conjunction with the rear seat backrests folding forward and fastened in position, luggage compartment capacity can be increased to 605 litres.


To compensate for the loss of torsional stiffness due to the absence of a fixed roof, Mini implemented construction-related measures such as an increase in the thickness of the sheet metal of the side-sills and the integration of additional stiffening and reinforcement plates to the body and floor. In the event of a rollover, the A-pillars incorporate a tubular steel design to withstand high loads. And at the rear, double roll bars made of high-strength aluminium tubes, complete with integrated headrests, optimise passenger safety.


Further safety features are “intelligent” front and two integrated head/thorax airbags, four-channel ABS, electronic brake force distribution (EBD), cornering brake control (CBC), Control + Traction (ASC+T) – optional on the Cooper – and dynamic stability control (DSC), which is an optional extra on both models.

Cooper specifications:


The Cooper Convertible (R207 600) and Convertible CVT auto (R218 100) are powered by the familiar 85 kW 1,6-litre engine and come standard with 15-inch light-alloy rims. The cars can be optionally equipped with 17-inch five-star bullet light-alloy wheels.


The models will be available in ten exterior colours, two of which are reserved exclusively for the convertible – Hot Orange and Cool Blue. For greater individual choice, the roof is available in black, blue and green. The rear-view mirror housings are finished in body colour and a Chrome Line exterior/interior package is optional.


The dashboard and the door linings are available in both silver and anthracite as well as in aluminium and wood-style trims. Additionally, in the case of four different exterior colours, there is the option of the three-part instrument panel and door linings in the respective body colour. The Mini Cooper Convertible’s seat upholstery offers a choice of two different types of cloth, three cloth/leather combinations and three leather options.


Standard specification comprises a heated rear window made of glass, runflat indicator, electrically operated exterior mirrors, electric window lifts front and rear, electro-hydraulic power steering, park distance control (PDC), a rev counter, height adjustment of driver’s seat and steering column as well as remote central locking with comfort opening function.


Cooper S specifications


Powered by a supercharged 1,6-litre four-cylinder with intercooler technology producing a maximum output of 125 kW at 6 000 r/min and comes standard with 16-inch light alloys in 7-Fin Spoke design and runs on 195/55 R16 tyres. However, the car can be optionally equipped with attractive 16- or 17-inch light alloys.


Like its siblings, the Cooper S Convertible (R249 000) is available in ten different exterior colours, two of which are reserved exclusively for the top model – “Hyper Blue” and “Dark Silver”. The roll bars of the MINI Cooper S Convertible are chrome-plated as standard.


The three-part dashboard and the door panels come with a brushed aluminium finish. In the case of five different exterior colours, the dashboard and the door panels are optionally available in body colour. The MINI Cooper S Convertible is equipped as standard with sports seats with a choice of one fabric option, three different fabric/leather combinations and three full leather designs.


Over and above the Cooper models’ specification, the S offers automatic climate control. Xenon headlights, navigation system with 16:9 colour display, up-spec HiFi audio system, heated windscreen, wind deflector, multifunction steering wheel, rain sensor and an automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror are optional items.


All new Mini Convertibles include three-year/75 000 km Motorplan maintenance contracts.

Original article from Car