2nd Generation MINI Convertible Photos

[Minifritz]

New Cabrio Spy Pics (caught by a german Mini forum member)

[dalboyne]

Great stuff! Looks like they have continued all the best features of the current model (miserable rear visibility etc!). But I can't help but wonder why they have so much black tape still - there can't be much mystery about the back end, surely? Unless there are facelift details, or another suicide door?

Correction - that should read "trap door" (a small hatch in the main boot lid that you can open to slide your skis, golf clubs or long pieces of Ikea furniture through without having to open the main boot.....) well, why not? it would make for further spirited speculation and dialogue amongst the MINI2 community?

[Paul]

A member of a German MINI forum has spotted and photographed a MINI Convertible out and about in... Read full report

[minicabrio]

The rear window actually looks bigger on this model, well wider at least. Can't see any bulky roll hoop structures in there either, so perhaps they are thinking about visibility

[Minifritz]

We can find more pics on Bildgalerie - Erlkönig-Bildergalerie, Teil 54 - Auto-Neuheiten - autobild.de

Paul has already got the link.

[rkw]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

The rear window actually looks bigger on this model, well wider at least. Can't see any bulky roll hoop structures in there either, so perhaps they are thinking about visibility

The rear window In the current model is actually fairly large and this looks about the same size. However much of the visibility blockage caused by the roll hoops seems to be gone. The very large, wide rear view mirror is interesting and is no doubt for the blind spot on the passenger side.

[Paul]

Good collection indeed at Bildgalerie - Erlkönig-Bildergalerie, Teil 54 - Auto-Neuheiten - autobild.de

I guess they figured we'd seen all there is of the Clubman so......

Oh, and here is the original post, I didn't have the link at the time of publishing: Sichtung! der R56 als Cabrio! - New Mini IG Forum

[:: Jon ::]

Solid Black

[rkw]

Quote: Originally Posted by rkw (original)

The rear window In the current model is actually fairly large and this looks about the same size. However much of the visibility blockage caused by the roll hoops seems to be gone. The very large, wide rear view mirror is interesting and is no doubt for the blind spot on the passenger side.

Looking at one of the autobild.de photos, what I thought was a rear view mirror from the straight back view is actually the roll bar where it drops down a bit in the center.

[mister.t]

New rear bumper I see - Looks more like the S bumper.

[lilcoopr]

I'm not such a big fan of the R56 hardtop, but this convertible is totally winning me over!

[~Marcus~]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ollie. (original)

New rear bumper I see - Looks more like the S bumper.

It's wearing the factory fit aero kit (rather than the JCW aero kit)

Quote: Originally Posted by Jonmorgan (original)

Solid Black

Yep one of the MINI designers at MINI United told me Solid Black is coming back, Yesss!

I'm really liking the look of the Cabrio - it's a better transformation than the hard-top

Hmm is it going to be a nice Solid Black MCS Cabrio for me in 2008?

[thebigyin]

Quote: Originally Posted by rkw (original)

Looking at one of the autobild.de photos, what I thought was a rear view mirror from the straight back view is actually the roll bar where it drops down a bit in the center.

You are right - it looks like the rear roll bar is a flattened 'M' shape with a large space in the middle of it to give MUCH better rear visibility. The could look seriously cool!
But unless I can get it in Black-Eye Purple, I won't be changing from my 2005 MCSC...

[dalboyne]

As well as the better rear visibility by reducing the size of the ear roll bars, does anyone else also think that the roof look "smoother" with less of the mechanism so apparent from the outside?

Ian

[thebigyin]

Quote: Originally Posted by dalboyne (original)

As well as the better rear visibility by reducing the size of the ear roll bars, does anyone else also think that the roof look "smoother" with less of the mechanism so apparent from the outside?

Ian

Ian, good catch!
I don't think that the mechanism has changed - it looks more like a different type of material and certainly a redesign of the roof cover - the seams are in different places. I would imagine that changing the seams would change the stress in the material and give a smoother look, especially if they have combined it with an upgraded type of cloth.