Does this mean there will be no 2009 Cabrio:

At the Oxford plant, employees said a rather emotional farewell to the MINI Convertible. "For us, this is the end of an era", said Plant Director Oliver Zipse. "It is a great joy to build a car and know exactly how much fun customers will have with it". Due to the constant rise in demand, the British plant has until further notice reserved its manufacturing capacities for the models MINI and MINI Clubman.

 

Wow, that is sad stuff if its true.

Hang onto your cabrios like they're goin out of style! (production)

 

That was the end of the R52's. The R52's were still built like the 1st Gen MINIs. Same engine etc. The 2nd Gen MINIs started in 07 but the Cabrios did not change. The 2nd Gen Cabs from what I've read will start being produced & delivered late winter to early spring. So no, the Cabrios will still be around just not like they used to be

Lois

 

Yeah I've seen pics of the new ones...Im more of a fan of the R52...

 

I hear ya

 

the new cabrio looks like a pregnant VW Rabbit Cabriolet.

 

ouch!

 

thta a little harsh...

 

lets just hope that some future 2G cabrio owner doesn't stumble upon this thread! (when they're out)

 

Yeah. You'd hate to burst their burble.

 

lol... well, I should perhaps revise that...

it looks like It looks like the product of a New VW beetle jumping the fence and mating with a '80's VW Rabbit Cabriolet!

 

Their "burble" is already busted as they no longer have the supercharger.

their "bubble" is next to get trounced on..

 

Yeah they certainly will be missing that.

 

You can't just let this thread on Cabrios die.. I'm here to save the day.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3e...iolet-r57_auto

 

I just cant stand the front end, mostly the "bug eye" headlights, guess i'll have to hang on to my '08

 

Your 100% correct about the look of the new R57.. But that's how I feel about the look of the R56 too.

 

Yes, I agree, but the headlights looks a lot more squashed on the R57 IMHO

 

I agree on all counts, but better than no MINI at all!

 

stagnate an die, nothing should ever change

 

I'm new to the Cooper world. Just bought an 05 Hyper Blue Cab "S" with S package, winter pac with leather. What a pisser to drive. It seems to be a desirable Cooper. My only problem is there seems to be more ways to dispose of money on the Cooper than on my 05 Triumph Sprint. Winters won't be as long however.

 

This car doesn't look so bad. It's the shape of the top that detracts from it. The 1st gen convertible's top looked like a spot on version of the hardtop's roof. This 2nd gen top looks too low and the rear is too sloped, thus giving it that VW Cabrio look. If the top could be redone to look more like a MINI's hardtop, it wouldn't look so bad. However, the car sounds nice, I can tell you that much. Whoever was driving looked like they were having lots of fun.