Believe it or not, this is the next-generation MINI Cooper Convertible that will most likely make its debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show in January with sales scheduled to start in Spring of the same year. An anonymous tipster sent a set of seven official images to MotoringFile, a dedicated MINI blog, giving us an early view of the new Convertible that is based on the underpinnings of the latest generation MINI hatch that was introduced at the 2006 Paris Show. -Continued
Even though we don’t have any official details, apparently the Convertible will be offered with the same powertrain options as the hatch, meaning the line-up will include 95 HP 1.4-liter, 120HP 1.6-liter and 175 HP turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline units and a 110 HP 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine. Additionally, it is said that the JCW sport package that features a modified version of the 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbocharged engine generating 208 HP will also be available from launch.
Other than that, the 2009 MINI Convertible gets a new set of pop-up roll bars at the rear just like the ones in the BMW 1-Series Cabriolet instead of the fixed units featured on the outgoing model along with a totally useless gimmick called ‘Always Open’ gauge that shows the driver the percentage of miles he’s driven the car with the top open.
Source: MotoringFile , Via: Autoblog.com