IN showrooms this week and ready for delivery from Saturday is the new Mini Cabrio, boasting more powerful engines, better fuel economy and fewer emissions.
The Cabrio goes on sale locally with two model variants, the MiniCooper Cabrio and Mini Cooper S Cabrio, both also available as Chilli models.
The Cooper S Cabrio has a 128kW 1.6litre four-cylinder engine with twin-scroll turbocharger and can run from zero to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds. It consumes only 7.2litres/100km.
The Cooper Cabrio is powered by an 88kW 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine.
It takes 9.8 seconds to reach the ton and claims an average fuel consumption of 6.1litres/100km. CO2 emissions have been reduced to 145 g/km, about 16 per cent less than the previous model.
New bits include automatic airconditioning with Cabrio mode, which provides a consistent set temperature when the roof is opened, and the seamless integration of external music players, a USB port and Bluetooth hands-free telephone system.
The soft top can fold away in just 15 seconds and there’s an “Always-Open Timer” next to the rev counter which shows how much time has been spent driving with the roof down.
Luggage compartment capacity has increased to 125 litres with the roof open, 170 litres with the roof closed, and 660 litres with the rear-seat backrest folded down.
The cars will be available with a six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard or optional six-speed automatic transmission.
Prices will be from $39,800 for the MiniI Cooper Cabrio and $48,000 for the Cooper S Cabrio.