MINI will add the just announced supercharged 125 kW MINI Cooper S engine to its new Cabrio family in time for the launch of open-top motoring excitement in Australia early in 2005.

Both the MINI Cooper Cabrio and MINI Cooper S Cabrio models will go on sale at the same time in early 2005, following their preview at the Sydney Motor Show this October.

At that time, MINI Australia will upgrade the existing family of MINI models.

The MINI Cooper S Cabrio sets a new standard of driving fun thanks to its performance and agility. The new model uses a supercharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine equipped with an intercooler to produce a maximum output of 125 kW at 6,000 rpm. Mated to the revised six-speed manual gearbox, this engine delivers thrilling performance across the rev range.

Maximum torque of 220 Nm at 4,000 rpm provides for supremely spirited acceleration.

The supercharged sun-lover makes the most of its high-performance engine, rushing to 100 km/h in just 7.4 seconds with a top speed of 215 km/h, just 0.2 seconds and 7 km/h down on the fixed roof model.

Quick-as-a-flash overtaking means zipping from 80-120 km/h takes only 6.6 seconds in fourth gear, or 8.4 seconds in fifth gear.

All this power has not rushed to the drop-head’s head, with the efficient motor sipping just 8.8 litres/100 km, an outstanding result given the MINI Cooper S Cabrio’s performance potential.

The hot-handling, dynamic-driving, range-topping model makes its international debut at the 2004 International Motor Show in Madrid, Spain, in May, just days ahead of its reveal at the Birmingham Motor Show.

A unique suspension set-up and extremely stiff body means the MINI Cooper S Cabrio is top of the class when it comes to converting engine output into forward motion.

The MINI Cooper S Cabrio comes as standard with 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 195/55 R16 tyres. Further 16- and 17-inch light alloy wheels are optionally available. New 17-inch 5 star bullet light-alloy wheels have been developed especially for the new model.

With a wide choice of exterior paint and roof colours as well as the ability to personalise the interior, each MINI Cabrio buyer will be able to order up a car to match their exact desire.

Inside, the standard brushed aluminium finish can be replaced with one of five body-colour matching panels.

While the MINI Cooper Cabrio adds unique Hot Orange and Cool Blue paint to its palette, the MINI Cooper S Cabrio also adds Hyper Blue.

Both MINI Cooper Cabrio and MINI Cooper S Cabrio models come with the choice of a black, blue or green fabric roof.

The power-folding roof peels back to let in the sunshine so quickly, it can be achieved at even the fastest-changing traffic lights stop.

A push of a button is all it takes and 15 seconds later you’re converted. First the front section of the integrated sliding roof opens, then the entire roof folds away and the side pillars retract.

The intelligent Z-folding mechanism packs the roof away behind the rear seats, with no need for a tonneau cover.

The unique and innovative sliding roof integrated in the soft top can be opened in infinite amounts from just a crack to the full 400 mm while on the move at speeds up to 120 km/h, a feature unprecedented in the cabriolet market.

The MINI Cabrio’s unique drop-down boot lid is held in position when open by two steel cables on a spring-mounted retractor system, so the lid can double as a load deck for up to 80 kg of luggage or sports gear.

With the roof closed, two levers in the luggage compartment fold up the bottom section of the roof to enhance loading capacity when the boot lid is opened.

The boot swallows 165 litres with the roof closed and an impressive 120 litres with the roof open.

The rear seat backrests can be folded forward to increase luggage capacity to a gigantic 605-litres thanks to the MINI Easy-Load system. Backrests can also be locked to protect luggage with the roof down.

MINI’s unique long wheelbase, low centre of gravity, wide track, stiff body, sporty suspension, multi-arm rear axle and direct power steering all contribute to its go-kart agility and exhilarating driving excitement.

As MINI drivers all agree, the most exciting distance between two points boasts plenty of bends.

Of course, safety is paramount, so the MINI Cooper S Cabrio complies with the world's most stringent crash test standards thanks to a stiff body structure and an efficient restraint system comprising two ‘intelligent’ front airbags and two seat-integrated head/thorax side airbags.

When MINI created the Cabrio models, extra body strengthening was added, by increasing the thickness of the side sill sheet metal. Stiffening and reinforcement plates were also added around the floor to help create a rigid passenger cell.

Should the MINI Cooper S Cabrio rollover, the A-pillars incorporate an ultra-strong steel tube designed to withstand high loads. And at the rear, double roll bars made of high-strength aluminium tubes, complete with integrated headrests, afford superior passenger safety.

The rear rollover hoops are chrome-plated on the MINI Cooper S Cabrio.

Four brake discs, four-sensor-ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) as well as Automatic Stability Control + Traction (ASC+T) are standard features and provide a high degree of active safety. Optional Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) guarantees superior directional and driving stability even in extreme situations.

The MINI Cabrio looks best with the roof down. Rising slightly to the rear, the waistline gives the car a powerful, performance-oriented profile accentuated by the chrome strip along the entire waistline. The steeply raked windscreen, the absence of B-pillars, the roll bars behind the rear seats and the space-saving folding roof without tonneau cover give this attractive four-seater the looks of a classic cabriolet.

The huge list of user-friendly highly desirable standard features also helps set MINI apart from would-be rivals.

The MINI Cooper S Cabrio features a fully-automatic roof with sliding roof function, a heated rear glass screen, chrome-plated roll bars, dual front airbags and two head/thorax side airbags, four-sensor ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), 16-inch light-alloy wheels with runflat tyres, Runflat Indicator, electrically operated exterior mirrors and window lifts, power steering, Park Distance Control (PDC), rev counter, height adjustment of driver's seat and steering column and central locking with remote control, and comfort opening function.

Optional equipment and accessories in European markets includes Xenon headlights, navigation system featuring a 16:9 colour display, high quality HiFi audio systems, heated windscreen, automatic climate control, a wind deflector, a wide choice of light alloy wheels, multifunction steering wheel, a rain sensor and a rear-view mirror with automatic anti-dazzle function.

Full MINI Cooper S Cabrio specification and pricing will be announced closer to the Australian preview at the Sydney International Motor Show in October 2004.

As an indication only, a price premium of comfortably less than $8,000 is expected on both MINI Cooper Cabrio and MINI Cooper S Cabrio models over their fixed roof counterparts.