- The soft-top Mini Roadster is on track to debut in March or April 2012.
- The Roadster is expected to be extremely similar to the Coupe, with no changes to the chassis or engine lineup.
- Three versions will be offered: base coupe, midlevel S and top-level John Cooper Works performance edition.
WOODCLIFF LAKE, New Jersey — Last summer Mini Vice President Jim McDowell confirmed the production and launch timeline of Mini's new two-seater models, and so far the automaker hasn't deviated from its plan.
Yesterday Mini announced pricing for its 2012 Mini Coupe, saying the car will arrive in the U.S. this fall. Subsequently, the Mini Roadster is on track to debut in March or April 2012.
The soft-top Mini Roadster is expected to be extremely similar to the Coupe, with no changes to the chassis or engine lineup. Three versions will be offered: base coupe, midlevel S and top-level John Cooper Works performance edition. Engines are essentially carried over from the Mini Cooper hatchback lineup, with a 208-horsepower turbo 1.6-liter powering the JCW Coupe.
With nearly identical measurements to the Cooper hatchback, the new Mini Coupe and Roadster should require few tooling changes to the production setup at the company's factory in Oxford, England.
Inside Line says: Is there room for two convertibles in Mini's lineup? Probably not, so don't be surprised when the Cooper convertible outsells the Roadster come 2012. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor
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icecubefosho says:
09:02 PM, 06/21/2011
Anybody who buys this over a 500c/Miata or a used Z4/370Z Roadster/Boxster must have some odd priorities.
qdp says:
08:59 PM, 06/21/2011
Convertibles are worest cars to be drove in cities. Why? Because in cities the air is very much or heavily polluted,full of toxic fume exhusted from cars, buses and truck in congested traffic
ambee514 says:
08:22 PM, 06/21/2011
now rkr, the ridiculously small back seat of my convertible is perfect for one thing. If I have the front seat all the way back it fits a half keg perfectly! So I know it is safe and secure, buckle up for safety too!
mini23 says:
07:58 PM, 06/21/2011
Kelly Toepke has got it backwards. The convertable has a completely useless back seat.
It's the roadster that will outsell the convertable because it has a larger trunk and looks cooler.
I'll take mine in British Racing Green and wire knock off wheels.
rkr says:
05:23 PM, 06/21/2011
There are plenty of people who have never found any use for a ridiculously small back seat in their convertible sports car. A MINI MINI is going to be a lot of fun in the big city. I cannot wait!