2016 Mini Convertible pricing and specifications

Mini Australia announced pricing on its new front-wheel drive convertible today. The $37,900 price applies to the Cooper with a standard six-speed automatic. The Cooper S version will cost $45,400. This makes it among the cheapest soft-tops on the market.

These prices are also $4800 and $5750 cheaper respectively than the equivalent MY15 Mini Cabrio prices. It all makes for an interesting rivalry with the rear-wheel drive Mazda MX-5 auto, priced between $33,990 and $41,550 depending on spec.

The 2016 Mini Convertible is based on the same UKL architecture as the new Mini hatch, and is 98mm longer, 44mm wider and sits on a 28mm longer wheelbase than before. Its luggage volume is up 25 per cent to 215 litres.

There’s also new model-specific bracing elements, combined with a single-joint strut front axle and multilink rear axle giving increased stiffness and reduced weight. The electric soft-top with sliding function can open or close in 18 seconds, and is operable up to 30km/h.

Powered on the base Cooper comes from the 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine making 100kW/220Nm. The car accelerates from 0-100km/h in a claimed 8.7 seconds, and consumes 5.3 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle.

The Cooper S gets a turbocharged 2.0-litre with 141kW/280Nm, while it sprints from 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds and records a fuel economy figure on the combined cycle of 5.8L/100km.

Both engines come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, since nobody buys manuals anymore.

Mini Convertible pricing (plus on-road costs):

Mini Cooper Convertible specifications:

Mini Cooper Convertible specifications