BMW has take the opportunity to launch the second generation MINI Cabrio during the North America International Auto Show. The Cooper ragtop is priced at €22,500 while the Cooper S convertible costs €4,000 more. The car is be equipped with a 1.6L engine which capable to produce 120hp for the NA version and 160hp for the turbo engine version. Turbo will only equipped to the MINI Cooper S.
The Euro-market cars get BMW Efficient Dynamics features including brake regeneration and stop/start. For the exterior, the fold-down tailgate's hinges are now internal, giving the car's tush a smoother look. The fixed roll hoops of the current car have been replaced by a pop-up system behind the back seat. This makes for a good-looking, clean top-down profile and should improve rearward visibility for the driver. Speaking of the top, it can be operated at speeds up to 9 mph or so. The sliding sunroof feature can be utilized at even higher speeds -- up to 60 mph or so. Stability control is standard equipment.
Back into the interior, the current MINI instrument panel is employed, and drivers with a hankering for extraneous gimmickery can order up the Always-Open timer, a secondary gauge that mounts next to the tach. It monitors how much time you clock with the top down.
Friday, November 28, 2008
2009 MINI Cooper Cabrio
Sunday, October 19, 2008
BMW MINI Cooper E
Recently, BMW has unveiled some information and photos of the much anticipated MINI E. For those who haven't been paying attention, late last spring BMW announced plans to build and lease a fleet of 500 battery powered MINIs starting sometime in 2009. The battery can be fully charged through a standard outlet in about eight hours.
MINI E All Electric Plug-InWeighing at 1,456 kg or 3,230 lbs, the MINI E is now lightweight champion. However, the electric motor compensates for the extra weight by producicng an impressive output of 204HP (150kW) and a peak torque of 220Nm which is good enough to accelerate the "electrifying MINI" from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in 8,5 seconds. The vehicle's top speed is electronically limited to 152 km/h (95mph).
MINI will offer each buyer a wallbox with higher amperage that will be installed in the customer's garage enabling a full recharge in just 2 1/2 hours. The MINI E also features a brake regeneration system that transforms kinetic energy to electricity replenishing the battery. According to BMW Group officials, the lithium battery offers the MINI E a driving range of more than 240km or 150 miles.
For the exterior, we can see there is an absence of an exhaust pipe(s), the MINI E is distinguished by the bright yellow decals on the rooftop and a stylish logo depiciting an electric plug that makes its appearance on the hood, the roof, the fuel-cap which now hosts an electric socket, and on the rear door.
The two-tone grey-yellow color scheme is continued in the vehicle's interior. The only differences between the 'E' and its conventional siblings in the cabin is the battery level indicator behind the steering wheel that replaces the MINI's rev counter and the absence of the rear seat bench.
Monday, September 29, 2008
2009 Mini Cooper Convertible
The next-generation MINI Cooper Convertible that will most likely make its debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show 2009. 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.
There are several engine powered the MINI Cooper Convertible 2009 which 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.
Besides that, a new set of pop up roll bars at the rear is also equipped to this 2009 MINI Convertible.
source: MotoringFile 
