New Mini Convertible lifts its lid

Mini has released photos of its new Convertible. The updated version of the strong-selling soft top is planned to go on sale across the United States in late March, following a public premiere at next month's North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Sporting revised bodywork with new detailing and a reworked chassis that includes a redesigned engine bay, the new Mini Convertible shares its hatchback sibling's front end through to the A-pillars, but the rear has been heavily altered to accommodate a folding roof styled along the lines used by its predecessor.

Developed by German soft top specialist Edscha, the metal and fabric structure folds and stows behind the rear seats atop the trunk at the rear. It takes just 15 seconds for the automatic roof to open or close, and it can do so at speeds of up to 20 mph. It can also partially retract to create the effect of a sunroof.

Additional strength has been engineered into the car's body, which promises to ensure the front-wheel-drive Mini Convertible retains the same engaging dynamic traits as its fixed-roof siblings. Despite the added rigidity, Mini says weight has been reduced by 22 pounds compared with the old Mini Convertible, the Cooper S tipping the scales at 2,712 pounds.

Safety has also been improved, with a new single piece roll bar positioned behind the rear seats. It extends out when sensors detect an impending impact, to protect occupants should the car roll.

Improved packaging sees trunk capacity increase slightly.

Final specifications for the U.S. version are yet to be revealed, although insiders hint at improved levels of standard equipment. A clever new option is Mini's new Openometer. It records how long the car has been driven with its roof stowed and displays it via an additional gauge to the left of the steering wheel.

There will be two Mini Convertible models at launch here in North America: the naturally aspirated, 120-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder Cooper and the more performance orientated 170-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder Mini Cooper S--the latter boasting a 0 to 62 mph time of 7.4 secconds and combined average fuel consumption of 36.7 mpg on the European cycle.

Also under development, although not expected to appear before late 2009, are entry level, 95-hp 1.4-liter four-cylinder One, 110-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder common rail diesel Cooper D, and 211-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder John Cooper Works models.

Parent company BMW's Efficient Dynamics technology has found its way onto the Mini Convertible, with systems such as stop-start and brake energy regeneration helping to reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions.

Next up for Mini? A production version of the Mini Cross concept revealed at September's Paris motor show. Don't hold your breath, though. It's not planned to head into North American showrooms until mid-2010 at the earliest.