[andyn]

The new auto express has pics of the new Mini Open convertible. Try the link below

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_i... %3Fid%3D30790

[andyn]

Another pic for you, and copy text if the link did'nt work:

MINI's secret is out in the Open. At last we can bring you pictures of the official factory convertible version of Britain's most desirable small car after our sources managed to smuggle classified images out of a BMW internal presentation.

Stylists came up with a series of computer-aided design (CAD) images and it has been left to British engineers to try and get the finished car as close as possible to their ideal. The bright yellow Cooper you see on these pages is the first finished prototype.

So far, the car has had a busy life. The first task was to gain final approval of the styling from BMW top brass, so the tin-top was crudely removed and a dummy section added above the boot to show how the folded roof will look. As well as the chop, the Open has several other modifications which were being shown for the first time, including a wild new interior. The standard silver finish of the facia has been substituted with paint which matches the exterior's shade, while door and seat trims have also been colour co-ordinated.

With the project rubber-stamped by MINI's German masters, the car was then shipped to the UK, where it was stripped down to have the essential strengthening added to the bodyshell and the roof fitted. Extra metal has been included in the floorpan, door hinge panels and bulkhead to ensure the standard car's acclaimed handling is retained and safety is not compromised. All versions of the MINI, including the Cooper S shown in the CAD image in the magazine, will be available in Open form, and the picture reveals how the production car will have fixed roll hoops behind the rear seats rather than the prototype's central bar.

Another neat feature is the bootlid, which opens downwards as the classic Mini's did. Production versions will even have exaggerated dummy brackets to mimic the external hinges of the old model, and a third brake light will be incorporated over the rear number plate, as on BMW's drop-top 3-Series. Luggage space won't be too greatly affected by the loss of roof either, and the base of the fabric hood frame can be released and lifted up, allowing larger objects to be loaded easily.

Interior room has hardly been compromised by the conversion, as the hood stacks on to the rear shelf rather than folding underneath a flush cover.

Despite the finished appearance of the prototype, we will have to wait until March 2004 to see the car officially when it's set to be unveiled at that year's Geneva Motor Show. Tom Barnard

visit www.autoexpress.co.uk for the story.

[McprS]

IMHO It looks horrid with the roof up which is as it will be in Britian 90% of the time. YUK

Looks cool with the roof down though!

[andyn]

But the wheels look cool, wonder what they are?

[mart242]

Aren't the wheels the R90 ??

That car sure looks cool with the roof down!!!

[SomeBlondeGuy]

Aren't the wheels the R90's? They look like it, IMO.

[mart242]

Quote:

Originally posted by SomeBlondeGuy
Aren't the wheels the R90's? They look like it, IMO.

Hey! I said it before!!!

[SomeBlondeGuy]

I guess I missed it.

[Paul Simonds]

Mini Converible

i have just spoken to dealer and there is already 4 people on the list for these, i think my good landy will be put on the list this weekend

No pricing of yet unless anyone else knows

[lightbody]

Looks/sounds fantastic and I want one already!

The wheels are cool, but they don't suit the MINI - in my opinion! The MINI is all about curves, and those wheels are all straight lines!

[uua]

Have they changed the windsheld pitch too? Looks more sloped.

I actyally don't like it (cute as it may be), starting to look more like a golf than a mini.

[Damo]

Hmmmmmmm, can't say I'm a fan. Was hoping it would be more of a roadster than a convertible

Still looks better than that bespoke jobbie though, and it does look good with the raked pack windscreen.

Maybe it'll gorw on me but with the roof up it looks odd. Maybe if it was a black car so the roof would blend in.

[SomeBlondeGuy]

The sloped windshield makes it look like a spider (convertible, not the insect).

[monica]

Quote:

Originally posted by uua
...starting to look more like a golf than a mini.

Yup, I agree.

Anyone else not buying that "smuggled out" idea? How about saving loads on customer research.

[smiffy]

Looks like a Rover 100 (Metro) convertible

[boreel]

I think the rear seats should have been sacrificed for a decent roof action/cover.

Other than that i think it looks pretty good, mind you there will be some changes before the final version. Hopefully the deisgners read these message boards.

[boreel]

forgot to add, i dont like the sound of 'extra metal' I know it is needed to keep the body shell stiffness but the performance of the cooper will suffer with the extra mass.

[Wynn]

Quote:

Originally posted by boreel
I think the rear seats should have been sacrificed for a decent roof action/cover.

I completely agree. A two-seat convertible would be really neat, with a well-designed and aesthetically pleasing folding hard or soft top. And glass in the back.

[cooper4us]

The canvas roof in the picture is HIDEOUS. BMW can do much better than that.

[Paul]

I am very disappointed with that.