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By
EWAN KENNEDY
11 June 2007
A special edition MINI cabriolet called the Sidewalk has been
introduced a couple of months ahead of time. Seems that so many
potential buyers fell in love with the model when it was previewed at
this year’s Melbourne Motor Show, that the factory cranked out our
examples ahead of schedule.
The Sidewalk package sees the fascinating MINI Cabrio receive
Malt Brown leather trim in a lovely old-style design that includes
piping that’s reminiscent of the 1950s and ‘60s, when the
original Mini was just a pup. Same goes for the chromed interior
highlights package, that includes a Chrono timing system, and the
gloss finish on the dashboard.
Special ‘Sidewalk’ plaques on the door openings let those
who are about to enter this MINI know that they are getting into
something special.
The MINI Cabrio has a cheeky design but also the sort of
practicality you just seldom get in a car like this. It’s a four
seater if the two in the rear seats are on the short-legged side
and the front occupants can spare a bit of room by sliding their
seats forwards. Which might sound like a put down, but many other
cabriolets have an even smaller back seat, or none at all.
A fascinating roof system lets you either have a large sunroof
when the front part of the roof slides back, or a full convertible
when the entire roof is folded away.
Note that the MINI cabriolet is based on the superseded
hatchback body, not the new one which was introduced to Australia
early in 2007. The new MINI Cabriolet isn’t expected to be
released until 2009 or 2010.
From a styling point of view holding onto the old body isn’t
the disaster that is seems, because the new MINI three-door
hatchback doesn’t look a great deal different to the old one.
However, the new range of engines fitted to the latest MINI
hatches can’t fit under the bonnet of the old MINI so it’s
stuck with powerplants that are becoming increasingly behind the
times in terms of performance and refinement.
These engines are of 1.6-litre capacity and a supercharger is
fitted to the Cooper S variants. With a delightful howl as it’s
worked hard, this blown engine is fun to sit behind, provided you
don’t want a huge amount of acceleration. Those who simply want
a gorgeous cruising machine will be more than happy with the
performance of the standard engine in any case.
The standard Sidewalk Cabrio, simply called the MINI Cooper, is
priced at $42,100 and the Cooper S comes in for $51,100. Part of
the higher price for the Cooper S is due to the fact that it has
satellite navigation as standard.
These prices are for cars with a manual gearbox, automatics add
$2200. The auto with the standard engine is a CVT, that on the
Cooper S is a conventional six-speed unit.
MINI Sidewalk comes in a range of colours unique to the model.
Have a look at www.mini.com.au for details on these hues and lots
of other MINI stuff.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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