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By
EWAN KENNEDY
23 March 2009
In
a fascinating move, MINI is preparing its second-generation
cabriolet for a simultaneous global launch in all markets
worldwide. A smart piece of marketing because these days the new
MINI is very much a lifestyle item, not simply a motor car. Look
for a big splash of publicity before and on the release date of
Saturday March 28.
We have just enjoyed a very pleasant day in a MINI cabriolet to
preview the car in Australian conditions at the invitation of the
‘British’ car company (which is BMW-controlled these days). A
day spent cruising in the scenic Mornington Peninsula area of
Victoria. Which was an excellent setting for a car very much aimed
at those tooling quietly around soaking up scenery, restaurants,
wineries, or simply lazing around in quiet picnic areas.
The MINI in gen-two hardtop form was launched in Australia in
early 2007. Now the topless cabriolet version joins the lineup. It
can be difficult to spot the differences between the old and the
new, chiefly because the designers have followed the old ‘when
you're on a good thing, stick to it’ principle. Appearance-wise
the bonnet is longer, the grille area more upright and the
headlights and taillights are to a new design. There is, of
course, a host of other design changes but it will take MINI
trainspotters to find them all.
By far the most noticeable styling difference with the roof down
is the complete redesign of the rollover bars behind the back
seat. These are much smaller and lower than before. Instead of
being erect at all times they shoot up in 150 milliseconds if the
car senses it's about to go belly up. This is done be creating
small explosions within the lower edges of the bar. Combined with
the reinforced windscreen pillars, the popup rollover bar gives
the occupants protection in a major crash.
Another advantage of the new rollover system is much improved
visibility to the rear. Visibility to the side-rear is also better
than in the old model thanks to windows that go back further than
before, although it still leaves a lot to be desired. Not so much
in driving, but in reversing situations the MINI cabriolet can be
potentially dangerous.
The layout of the cabin is bold and super-trendy, with lines,
colours and materials combining to challenge the eyes and the
senses – which is just what the MINI is all about. There's the
usual huge speedo in the centre of the dash and a tachometer
sitting atop the steering wheel. An optional ‘Always Open
Timer’ gauge is attached to the bottom-left of the tacho. This
sits on zero when the roof is closed, and measures time spent with
the roof down. Tongue-in-cheek it's there to remind you the roof
should be down at all times. Even when, as the advertising
campaign says, the weather is shocking!
As in the hardtop version of the MINI, two variants of a 1.6-litre
four-cylinder engine are offered in Australia. Power output is 88
kW with the engine in standard Cooper format, and 128 kW when
it’s turbocharged in the MINI Cooper S. Both engines sit
alongside six-speed transmissions, with a choice between a Getrag
manual and an Aisin automatic. These are completely new
powerplants to the previous ones and have not only reduced
emissions and lower fuel consumption, but also provide stronger
acceleration.
On the road the increased power is immediately evident. It has
plenty of get up and go, and is more than willing to rev, response
is fast for a turbo engine, though it’s on the dead side until
it gets to about 2500 rpm. However, all our testing has been done
in a manual Cooper S at this stage, we have yet to sample the
lower powered Cooper, something which we will do, and report on
asap.
Though more refined in its on-road behaviour than before, the new
MINI cabriolet still has the lovely, lively feel in its steering
and suspension we have come to know and love. Any driver who
doesn’t come away from a spirited drive in a MINI with a huge
smile on their face simply hasn’t been trying hard enough.
Rough roads can cause a bumpy ride at times, but on the whole the
MINI is pretty well composed. And somehow this bouncing around
adds to the character of the fun car. But test drive it for
yourself as not everyone will like it.
A great little machine, the new MINI cabriolet arguably provides
more fun per dollar than anything else on four wheels. As well as
being sold in standard format, it's also available with the
popular Chilli option.
The MINI Cooper Cabrio is priced at $39,800 and the Cooper S
Cabrio at $48,000.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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