2016 Mini Convertible pricing and specifications
The new Mini Convertible will cost a highly competitive $37,900 plus on-road costs at entry level when it launches in Australia in the second quarter of 2016.
Mini Australia announced pricing on its new front-wheel drive convertible today. The $37,900 price applies to the Cooper with a standard six-speed automatic. The Cooper S version will cost $45,400. This makes it among the cheapest soft-tops on the market.
These prices are also $4800 and $5750 cheaper respectively than the equivalent MY15 Mini Cabrio prices. It all makes for an interesting rivalry with the rear-wheel drive Mazda MX-5 auto, priced between $33,990 and $41,550 depending on spec.
The 2016 Mini Convertible is based on the same UKL architecture as the new Mini hatch, and is 98mm longer, 44mm wider and sits on a 28mm longer wheelbase than before. Its luggage volume is up 25 per cent to 215 litres.
There’s also new model-specific bracing elements, combined with a single-joint strut front axle and multilink rear axle giving increased stiffness and reduced weight. The electric soft-top with sliding function can open or close in 18 seconds, and is operable up to 30km/h.
Powered on the base Cooper comes from the 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine making 100kW/220Nm. The car accelerates from 0-100km/h in a claimed 8.7 seconds, and consumes 5.3 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle.
The Cooper S gets a turbocharged 2.0-litre with 141kW/280Nm, while it sprints from 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds and records a fuel economy figure on the combined cycle of 5.8L/100km.
Both engines come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, since nobody buys manuals anymore.
Mini Convertible pricing (plus on-road costs):
- Cooper auto $37,900
- Cooper S auto $45,400
Mini Cooper Convertible specifications:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Six-speed automatic transmission
- Cloth upholstery
- Fully automatic soft-top with sliding function
- MINI Visual Boost multimedia interface with 6.5-inch monitor
- Always open timer
- Interior LED lights package
- MINI logo projection from driver side mirror
- Bluetooth mobile preparation with USB audio interface
- Reversing Camera with guidance lines
- Park Distance Control, rear
- Storage compartment package
- Automatic dual zone climate control air conditioning
Mini Cooper Convertible specifications
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Six-speed sports automatic transmission with paddle shift gear change
- Cloth/leather upholstery
- John Cooper Works leather steering wheel
- LED headlights
- Front LED fog lights
- MINI Visual Boost multimedia interface with 6.5-inch monitor
- Always open timer
- Interior LED lights package
- MINI logo projection from driver side mirror
- MINI Navigation System
- Bluetooth mobile preparation with USB audio interface
- Reversing camera with guide lines
- Park Distance Control, rear
- Storage compartment package
- Automatic dual zone climate control air conditioning
- MINI Driving Modes