MINI drops the top with the new Convertible, due at the Detroit Motor Show next month.

With its design improved in an evolutionary process; improved suspension technology; more powerful and, at the same time, economic engines; and boosted safety systems, it's the new version of the open-air four-seater MINI.

Featuring a soft top with integrated sliding roof function, even while driving at a speed of up to 30km/h, the soft top folds back fully automatically in a complete process within 15 seconds.

A car simply begging for driving in the open air at any time of the year, it features an optional Always-Open Timer next to the rev counter, showing the driver and passengers the time they have spent driving with the roof down ? supposedly motivating the driver to really enjoy the thrill of open-air motoring as frequently as possible.

The new MINI Convertible offers everyday driving qualities through the Easy-Load Function, the rear-seat backrest folding down individually on either side, as well as the unusually large through-loading between the luggage and passenger compartment, increasing luggage capacity to 660 litres.

This variability is made possible by the innovative design and construction of the rollbar: the new MINI Convertible comes with a single-piece rollbar behind the rear seats extending across the entire interior width of the car, not obstructing the driver?s line of visibility in any way when looking to the rear, and moving up automatically only in the event of an imminent rollover.

The new MINI Convertible is entering the market in two engine variants. The MINI Cooper Convertible features a 1.6-litre four-cylinder power unit with fully variable valve management for maximum output of 88kW at 6000rpm.

The MINI Cooper S Convertible's 1.6-litre four-cylinder with a Twin-Scroll turbocharger and direct gasoline injection delivers 128kW at an engine speed of 5500rpm.

Both engine variants come as standard with technologies for reducing both fuel consumption and emissions, including Brake Energy Regeneration as well as Auto Start Stop and a gearshift point indicator on the manual gearbox models. So fuel consumption and CO2 emissions on the new MINI Convertible are reduced by up to 23 percent compared with the cars? respective predecessors.

From the start the MINI Cooper S Convertible and the MINI Cooper Convertible are available as an alternative to the six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard with optional six-speed automatic transmission. At the same time the new MINI Convertible owes its handling to suspension technology significantly enhanced and upgraded over the former model. Indeed, thanks to sophisticated wheel suspension, extremely precise electromechanical power steering, the powerful brake system and DSC Dynamic Stability Control featured as standard, the open-air MINI combines agility with safety.