Australian specification Mini Cabrio models will be extremely well equipped when they roll into Mini dealers in January 2005.

At launch, both 85 kW/150 Nm Mini Cooper Cabrio and 125 kW/220 Nm supercharged Mini Cooper S Cabrio models will be available, all featuring a power-operated roof that folds away in a zippy 15 seconds.

The powered integrated sunroof, unique to Mini Cabrio models is also standard. This allows the front section of the soft top to slide back up to 400mm while the car travels at speeds of up to 120 km/h.

The Mini Cabrio roof can be folded from outside via the remote control key fob, and the glass rear window contains a demister.

Uniquely Mini, the soft top comes in a selection of three colours: black, green or blue to match or contrast with the selection of ten exterior colours, two of which are exclusive to the Cabrio body style: Hot Orange and Cool Blue.

Mini Cabrio also benefits from 'Easy Load', a smart system that allows the rear section of the soft top to fold up (with the soft top closed) for easy access to the boot. The bottom hinged boot lid drops flat and can accommodate up to 80kg or the weight of two children who may like to use the deck as a perch for watching sports or picnicking.

Safety is addressed via Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), as well as a strengthened bodyshell that incorporates strong tubes inserted into the A pillars and dual rollover hoops with integrated headrests behind the two rear seats.

Four airbags, two front mounted and two fitted into the outer edges of the front seats provide passive safety in the event of an impact, while electric windows, dual reading lights and ambient lighting in the door handles are all standard.

As an added convenience feature, all Mini Cabrios in Australia will be fitted with Park Distance Control.

The Mini Cooper Cabrio features 15-inch 5-Star Rocket light alloy wheels, chrome radiator grille bars, air-conditioning, radio with CD player, and runflat tyre indicator.

The suspension comes in two different versions; standard for the Mini Cooper Cabrio and sport for the Mini Cooper S Cabrio. Both models have anti-roll bars front and rear.

The Mini Cooper Cabrio comes in five-speed manual or with the stepless Continuously Variable Transmission (complete with steering wheel shift paddles) as used previously on Mini hardtop models.

The Mini Cooper S Cabrio adds 16-inch 7-Fin Spoke light alloy wheels, chrome plated finish atop the rollover bars behind the rear headrests and body-colour front grille.

The 125 kW supercharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine is capable of producing 220 Nm of torque and can sprint the Mini Cooper S Cabrio from 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. It is mated to a six-speed gearbox. This makes it the quickest four-seater convertible under $100,000 on the Australian market.

Standard Mini Cooper S Cabrio equipment also includes cruise control, alloy patina dashboard finish, sports seats, multi-function steering wheel and stainless steel pedals and footrest.

Striking profile.

Mini Cabrio looks its best with the roof folded. The waistline gradually rising to the rear gives the car a strong and distinctive profile further accentuated by the chrome strip continuing along the window line.

The upright windscreen, rear rollover bars, B pillar-free design and neatly stowed roof contribute to a sleek and cohesive cabrio look.

A Cabrio with a sliding roof all in one.

The fabric roof comes in a choice of three colours and opens up fully automatically in just 15 seconds: Pressing a button, you first open the integrated sliding roof, then the roof completely folds itself away, stacking over the boot well.

As the roof folds, it automatically retracts the pillars and side windows for a fully open look. The Z-fold roof and its ingenious integrated sliding roof section folds in such a way as to make a tonneau superfluous.

The sliding roof integrated in the soft top can be opened by infinitely increments up to 40 cm while driving, up to a speed of 120 km/h. Clearly, a feature quite unprecedented in the Cabrio market.

The soft-top system has been supplied by OASYS (Open Air Systems), a joint venture between Webasto and Pininfarina.

That go-kart feeling so typical of the Mini.

Combining a very stiff bodyshell with superior chassis and suspension features, the open-air models, like their fixed-roof counterparts, once again offer a unique mix of superior agility and handling.

With a long wheelbase, low centre of gravity and wide track, the multi-arm rear axle and the direct, electro hydraulic power steering combine to provide the foundation for the excellent driving behaviour and that go-kart feeling unique to Mini.

Sporting performance wherever you go.

Thanks to the peppy 85 kW 1.6-litre engine in the Mini Cooper Cabrio it reaches a top speed of 193 km/h and accelerates to 100 km/h from a standstill in 9.8 seconds. Fuel consumption in the EU cycle is a miserly 7.3-litres/100km.

The Mini Cooper S Cabrio produces 125 kW of power at 6,000 rpm and 220 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm and has a top speed of 215 km/h. Acceleration from rest to 100 km/h takes just 7.4 seconds (just 0.2 seconds behind the Mini Cooper S hardtop) with fuel consumption of a remarkably frugal 8.8 l/100 km on the combined EU cycle.

Suspension with that Special Fun Factor.

Agility and direct handling naturally remain characteristic features also of the newcomer to the Mini range. Featuring very direct steering and enjoying the advantage of its extremely stiff body structure, the Cabrio responds immediately and smoothly to the driver’s steering commands, offering the same driving pleasure as its fixed roof counterparts.

Elaborate chassis and suspension.

Mini Cabrio has McPherson spring struts up front enhanced by an anti-roll bar ensure superior wheel guidance. The multi-arm rear axle of the Mini Cabrio remains unique in this segment of the market, interacting with the anti-roll bar to provide optimum grip in every situation. As a result, the rear axle makes a significant contribution to the agility and neutral driving behaviour of this open-air performer.

To combine driving exhilaration with equally outstanding safety, the Mini Cooper S Cabrio is equipped with the on-demand assistance system of Automatic Stability Control + Traction (ASC+T). This feature is optionally available on the Mini Cooper Cabrio and both models can be equipped optionally with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).

Giving the car the right turn.

Electro hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering (EHPAS) in the Mini Cabrio offers direct, responsive driving characteristics, offering go-kart-like driving pleasure, a key feature of the Mini brand.

Electro hydraulic assistance means the hydraulic steering pump being driven by a small electric motor. Unlike conventional power steering, the hydraulic pump in the Mini Cabrio operates independently of the engine and cuts in only when required. This alone reduces fuel consumption by up to 0.1 litres/100 km.

High standard of safety.

The Mini Cabrio has a specially stiffened body structure which when added to the standard advanced restraint system provides excellent levels of occupant protection.

The restraint system comprises two “intelligent” front airbags and two seat-integrated head/thorax side airbags as standard to enable the Mini Cabrio to comply with the world’s strictest crash standards.

A wide range of structural improvements and features ensure a particularly high standard of torsional stiffness, which also stop the door-sills from bending in the event of a head-on collision and offer occupants optimum protection in a side impact.

Rollover protection has been carefully thought-out with A-pillars containing a tube made of ultra-strong steel able to absorb 1.5 times the mass of the car. And at the rear, double rollbars made of high-strength aluminium tubes, complete with integrated headrests, afford superior passenger safety.

Optimum utilisation of space available.

Access to the rear is aided by wide opening doors and by front seats folding far forward with their own memory function. Two ergonomically designed rear seats come with three-point seat belts and headrests are integrated in the double rollbars.

Rear seats are specially contoured for maximum legroom. Despite the elaborate roof closing mechanism hidden behind the side panels at the rear, space is still quite sufficient for two passengers in the second row. There is still enough space in the inner side panels for a high-quality loudspeaker on each side.

The boot lid is hinged at the lower edge in the style of the Classic Mini, and is secured by steel cables with a spring-mounted retractor system. The lid is designed to accommodate up to 80kg, which means two children can sit on the open lid.

The Mini Cabrio is able to carry a maximum of 400kg or 882 lb, and the luggage compartment accommodates 165 litres with the roof closed.

And even with the roof down, driving in the open air, luggage compartment capacity remains a substantial 120 litres.

The unique to Mini 'Easy Load' system offers generous through-loading capacity:

With the roof closed, all you do is turn two levers in the luggage compartment to fold up the bottom section of the cover fastened on a tightening bracket and attach it in position. Then, with the rear lid open, you have very convenient access to the luggage compartment through a large opening able to accommodate even bulky objects.

And in conjunction with the rear seat backrests folding forward and fastened securely in position, luggage compartment capacity can be increased to no less than 605 litres.

Boasting features such as its highly functional roof, the variable luggage compartment even with the roof open, an ultra-strong and stiff bodyshell, as well as the chassis with its multi-arm rear axle, the Mini Cabrio sets the standard in its market segment in many other respects too.

Optional interior upgrade features include a Chrome Package, which adds a high-quality chrome trim finisher to items such as speedo surround, central instruments and the cup-holders.

The optional Cockpit Chrono Package emphasises the sporting and elegant Mini Cabrio interior ambience. The central instrument section features three circular dials comprising fuel gauge, oil and coolant temperature, as well as oil pressure.

The rev counter is moved next to the speedo on the steering column.

A halogen lamp integrated in the upper frame on the windscreen serves to brighten up the interior, in place of the digital clock on earlier models. The clock function is now integrated into the speedometer LCD display.

The interior light package also includes door entry/exit lights, front reading lights, footwell lights as well as ambient illumination in the door handles.

Mini in colour.

The Mini Cabrio makes a vibrant statement wherever it goes, and no more so in Hot Orange or Cool Blue, the signature colours for the new model.

In all, both Mini Cabrio models are available in 10 exterior colours with two unique colours for the Cooper (Astro Black and Solid Gold) and two unique colours for the Cooper S (Hyper Blue and Dark Silver).

For a matching or contrasting effect, the Mini Cabrio comes with a choice of three roof fabric colours; black, blue or green.

Dashboard and door linings are optionally available in body colour finishes for the following colours: Chilli Red, Liquid Yellow, Hot Orange, Cool Blue and Hyper Blue.

The seat upholstery is available in cloth, three combinations of cloth and leather, and with three different choices of all-leather upholstery.

Unique to Mini Cabrio is Dark Blue Gravity leather with orange stitching and Sunrise Coth/leather in an orange and blue combination.

Everything goes.

The wide range of standard equipment featured from the start on the new Cabrio comprises, an electrically operated roof complete with sliding roof function, a heated glass rear window, two front and two head/thorax side airbags, four-sensor ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Tyre Defect Indicator (TDI), electrically operated rear-view mirrors and window lifts, power steering, height adjustment on both driver’s seat and steering column, as well as central locking with remote control plus comfort opening.

Park Distance Control is standard on all Mini Cabrio models.

To fulfil all kinds of individual and personal wishes, the Mini Cabrio comes with an equally wide range of optional equipment including Xenon headlights, a DVD navigation system with a 16:9 colour display, harman/kardon HiFi audio system, automatic air conditioning, a wind deflector, a wide range of light-alloy wheels, a multi-function sports steering wheel, a rain sensor, and the interior mirror complete with anti-dazzle function.