looks amazing tell me what you think?
















source:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/09/...led/#more-7278

 

Pretty cool - looks like the trunk's going to be a little more accessible, and I'm glad they added the "top-down" clock. I didn't think they'd make it so prominent, though. I wonder if you'll lose that if you order the NAV or the Chrono Kit? (I realize the Chrono Kit hasn't been confirmed as an option for the R55/56/57, but I'm hoping MINI brings it back at some point.)

And I guess the rollbars are going to be always-up, rather than just popping up in the case of a potential rollover - I know there was some speculation on that point.

Looks like the top may lay a little flatter when open as well, although that may just be the angle of the photograph. I do really like how they added the top "lid" for the boot opening without really changing the exterior lines of the car.

I wonder if the luggage in the third picture is a custom-fitted set for the cabrio boot, or if that's just something they used for the picture?

I'm probably not going to be in the market for a replacement for at least five more years, so I'm more interested in what the *next* cabrio will look like, but overall, I'm liking how MINI has adapted the R56 into a convertible.

EDIT - Looking more closely at the pictures, I really wish they had given us a rear shot with the top up and the boot closed. Looking at the third picture, the boot "lid" seems to be at least 8-10 inches deep front-to-rear, which leads me to think that the rear edge of the top must not be flush with the back of the car. That might look a little strange. In fact, the third picture looks very "Photoshopped" - If you were to close the boot door and boot lid, it doesn't look like the top would be in the right place relative to the rear of the car.

EDIT Again - It appears the roll-bars *are* going to pop up - in the pictures, I guess we're just seeing the tops of the hoops, not the entire assembly. And the Motoringfile article in the link *does* have a rear-view shot with the top up and the boot closed, but I'm calling shenanigans - I can't see any way that the car in the "luggage picture" can turn into the car pictured with the boot closed, because the boot lid seems to mysteriously vanish when it's closed.

 

NICE! Mellow Yellow S!!! yeah.

I like the black star bullet wheels too.

 

I think that's actually supposed to be the new "Interchange Yellow". I don't know how it will compare to Mellow Yellow in person, though - looks pretty similar to me.

 

To me, it has lost some of its original roots to the Morris Mini. The new front looks more like the old MGB of the late 70's early 80's. I think it has lost the cute MINI look. Just my observation of course. To each his/her own. I think it may be the roundness of the new hood, has a "tougher" look to it rather than a "cute" look. Sort of all grown up bulldog vs bulldog puppy. Of course I know the tin tops have already gone there. I suppose a mother always thinks her kid is the cutest! I am sure it will grow on me, but hey, I keep cars for 20 years! Who knows what the MINI will look like 19 years from now.....

 

.

 

In 20 years you will have a special MINI. Looking at your sig.

 

The third pic show the cabrio lifted up to assist in loading just like they always have been.

 

Yes and no. That is what is supposed to be depicted, but in a real car the back of the top (where the rear window is) folds up/wrinkles some -- as noted, this pic has been photoshopped to eliminate those folds, and now there is a weird illusion that the top actually comes down in before the rear edge of the car.

I wonder what else is photochopped.

 

I think it looks really good. I am partial to the coupe, but with the top down its a cool looking car.

 

I'm interested in a mini as my next car and it might just have to be a Cabrio

 

this new gauge has got to be the lamest thing ever invented in the car

 

I'm a MINI Cabrio FANATIC... and I agree.... lame...

 

They pulled the pictures down.

 

pictures are back

 

Pictures are not back at MF. But look at the comments there are links to other sites that posted them too.

 

No much to see, imo. It's a cabrio...we're used to that. It's in the R56 style...we're used to that. So what's left...loss of the roll bars? I see nothing but benefits from that. I also think it's high time the cabrio benefit from the great mpgs coming from the PSA engines. All in all.....I'm pleased and can't wait to visit them at the dealer.

 

I disagree -- not if it comes at the expense of full pass-through to the boot. . . and we still don't know the added cost/weight of a pop-up system . . . .(plus I've always liked my rollbars).
(I will also refrain from beating a dead horse and responding to the assertion that converting to second gen platform is a benefit. )

 

True...this would be a drawback. I do think the visibility improvements will win many over to the cabrio, though.

 

Looks pretty good to me! The clusters look awesome.

 

We won't know until we sit in one.... but from looking at the pics, I'm not expecting HUGE improvements in rearward visibility... still has the "stadium" seats in the rear, and still has headrests that are slightly higher than the seatback, and still has the tops of the roll hoops behind these headrests. Looks like you'll get maybe a few inch band across the top of the rear window that you can see out of... which is an improvement, but not a HUGE improvement... IMHO.... and still have the C-pillar area to contend with when top is up. When top is down, I can see everything behind me I need to, anyway.

And (now that they're no longer chrome) I like my hoops.

 

The backside now reminds me of a big, square PT Cruiser.

 

^^ agree with all of Blimey's comments above (except I do like my chrome hoops).
The headrests and folded down top are what block most of my rear vis. -- not the hoops -- and the large c-pillar area with top up.

Blocking off the opening between boot and rear seats with the pop-up system (if that is what will happen -- this has not been confirmed either way . . . but is likely based on the 1-series system) would be a HUGE detriment. I cannot count the number of times I've had to use the openning to make use of an otherwise pretty useless boot.

Edit-- along with the roll bars, I also prefered the distinctive cabrio boot hinges.

 

I've also heard the rear glass will be slightly larger...is that so?

 

^ motoringfile keeps writing that it is -- but, based on these and previous pics, if it is, it's not significantly bigger

By the way, considering how rarely that glass is clean -- it doesn't really matter how big they make it.