Spring is a time of rebirth and new beginnings, and BMW's MINI division knows it. Their 2009 MINI Convertible model will be familiar looking- though it will ride an all new body / chassis and drivetrain. A new interior is featured as well.
There's nothing new under the hood, though. The 2009 Mini Convertible gets the same 1.6 liter turbocharged four cylinder engine with 172 horsepower. A six-speed stick is standard fare, and highway mileage is reported at just under 6 liters per 100 km. A non-turbo version with 118 horsepower is also available.
The drop-top's new body has been made lighter, stiffer and safer than the previous model. A reinforced floor-pan and side-sills, for instance, work for a tough, crash-optimized structure. A new pop-up rollover protection system is on board too- automatically deploying if the shiny side doesn't remain facing up.
The roof mechanism consists of a new electrohydraulic unit that opens in 15 seconds at speeds up to 30 km/h- or remotely from the keyfob. There's an integrated 'sunroof' built into the soft-top that can open at speeds up to 120 km/h as well. Additionally, an innovative 'Always-Open' timer helps encourage topless driving by tracking vehicle usage with the roof down.
Owners can expect automatic climate control, increased cargo capacities, media integration and of course, plenty of possibilities for customization. Pricing and options will be available closer to the car's springtime launch.
photo:BMW
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There's nothing new under the hood, though. The 2009 Mini Convertible gets the same 1.6 liter turbocharged four cylinder engine with 172 horsepower. A six-speed stick is standard fare, and highway mileage is reported at just under 6 liters per 100 km. A non-turbo version with 118 horsepower is also available.
The drop-top's new body has been made lighter, stiffer and safer than the previous model. A reinforced floor-pan and side-sills, for instance, work for a tough, crash-optimized structure. A new pop-up rollover protection system is on board too- automatically deploying if the shiny side doesn't remain facing up.
The roof mechanism consists of a new electrohydraulic unit that opens in 15 seconds at speeds up to 30 km/h- or remotely from the keyfob. There's an integrated 'sunroof' built into the soft-top that can open at speeds up to 120 km/h as well. Additionally, an innovative 'Always-Open' timer helps encourage topless driving by tracking vehicle usage with the roof down.
Owners can expect automatic climate control, increased cargo capacities, media integration and of course, plenty of possibilities for customization. Pricing and options will be available closer to the car's springtime launch.
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photo:BMW
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