MINI added another new vehicle to its lineup, announcing the new 2016 Convertible model.
Like the Hardtop, the Convertible is available as a Cooper or a Cooper S variant. The Cooper has a turbocharged, 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine making 134 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, while the Cooper S has a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque.
The new convertible is longer, taller and wider than the previous model. The biggest gain is in length, at 4.5 inches. This allows more room for rear-seat passengers and cargo, even though it’s still pretty tight, as the convertible top stows completely behind the seats when folded down.
The top is all-electric for the first time in a MINI and can be put down in 18 seconds and at speeds up to 18 miles per hour. It also has a folding feature that makes the top act like a sunroof, as it can be slid open up to 15 inches without being folded down. It’s also available in a special “MINI Yours” version, which has a woven Union Jack on the top.
The base transmission is a six-speed manual, with a six-speed automatic available. The Cooper S is also available with paddle shifters for the automatic. In the manual, the car will do automatic rev matching for upshifts and downshifts. There’s no word on whether this feature can be turned off for those who would rather do that themselves.
The suspension is all-independent, with a multi-link rear suspension. The front differential can also lock when the stability control is turned off. The system also works as a torque vectoring system, as the brakes are activated on the inside wheel to allow more power to the outside wheel.
The new Convertible is available with all the same electronics as the Hardtop, including a backup camera, parking assist, and a driving assistant that has camera-guided cruise control, front collision warning and the ability to brake when a collision is imminent.
The MINI Convertible will be available at dealerships in March of 2016.
Learn more about the 2016 MINI Convertible and Clubman in this TFL Car “everything you ever wanted to know” video from the L.A. Auto Show.
