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2005 Mini Cooper Convertible Update

Worth the Wait

Its been a long time coming, but BMW Groups MINI brand finally officially unveiled its new Convertible in North America after first showing it to European media at the Geneva motor show.

Its first North American stop was the Vancouver, Canada auto show in March, where amid much fanfare it was unveiled to the automotive media. Even more celebratory was its screeching entrance in front of Manhattans Jacob Javits Center, home of the New York International Auto Show. A stunt driver was hired to entertain the crowd and show off the new drop-tops handling capabilities in the process - an effective display of a talented man and machine.

After the tire smoke

The tire smoke is still in the air surrounding a MINI Convertible making its spectacular U.S. debut in Manhattan last week. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

cleared, it was easy to see that the MINI designers did an exceptional job getting the cars proportions right. With the top in place the traditional two-box mini profile has been kept intact, with the added bonus of a high-quality soft-top available in multiple colors. Its a fully automatic "Z-mechanism" fabric roof, that when upright combines with exposed rear lid hinges for an even greater retro appearance

MINI chose the Vancouver auto show in March to unveil its new convertible in North America. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

than the regular MINI.

An innovative "sliding roof mode" allows the top to open up to 15.75 inches at speeds of 75 mph, letting in the sun (just like a large sunroof) with reduced wind and noise. The press of a button drops the top completely in 15 seconds, stowing it behind the rear seats without the need of a tonneau cover.

Tonneau covers are normally needed to keep dirt and debris out of the top mechanism, and simultaneously tidy up outward appearances. Putting one on, unless

The MINI Convertible does away with cumbersome tonneau covers. (Photo: MINI U.S.A.)

fully automatic like on one of BMWs convertibles, is often a cumbersome process requiring more work than its worth - Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible owners know exactly what Im talking about. As mentioned the new MINI ragtop doesnt need one, a very good thing.

In order to accommodate the top, the MINI Convertible features power actuated rear windows, not available in the coupe. This allows increased airflow when the top is up as well, with the added bonus of a more open environment for those stuck in the somewhat abbreviated back seats.

Up to four occupants are protected from rollover by dual aluminum roll bars located behind

An "ultra-strong steel" A-pillar and windshield surround increases passenger protection as well as torsional rigidity. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

the rear passenger headrests. The roll hoops look good too, adding a unique styling detail that further separates the new car from anything else on the road. Additional protection results from an "ultra-strong steel" A-pillar and windshield surround, also combining to increase the cars torsional rigidity.

In case you were wondering if the gold bar toting MINIs as featured in the movie "The Italian Job" had greater payload capacities than Dodges Ram 3,500 pickup, the current light truck leader, the cars actual capabilities are 882 pounds. Not bad for a MINI Convertible just the same, as is its 5.8 cubic foot trunk capacity. That space shrinks to 4.2 cubes with the top dropped.

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