Mini lets its top down
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mini E is shown at the North American International Auto Show Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009 in Detroit.
DETROIT–A 2009 Mini Cooper convertible drove out of a giant cube of fake ice blocks Sunday in chilly Detroit to make its global debut.
Mini unveiled the latest versions of its four-seat convertible on Sunday inside the North American International Auto Show. It includes a powered soft-top roof that allows the driver to open and close it while going up to 32 km/h.
The convertible also features an "Openometer" that records the time drivers spend traveling with the roof down.
"`Always open' is the motto of the new Mini convertible," said BMW board member Ian Robertson while he introduced the car.
The stunt was reminiscent of one years earlier by Chrysler, which crashed a Jeep through the convention centre lobby's plate glass windows.
The four-cylinder, 1.6-litre standard Mini convertible produces 118 horsepower and retails for $24,550 in the U.S. The turbocharged Mini Cooper S Convertible, which delivers 172 horsepower, sells for $27,450.
They go on sale at the end of March.
Mini has been a highlight for Munich, Germany-based BMW AG, which reported Friday that Mini sales were up 4.3 per cent in 2008 over the previous year to 232,425. That came as overall BMW sales fell 4.3 per cent.
Mini also is showing off its two-seater Mini E all-electric car, which was unveiled last year for the Los Angeles Auto Show.
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