2022 Mini Convertible Charts Future Course
The Mini Convertible will continue for the foreseeable future, with a new model to come in 2025.
“There is great demand for the latest, freshly updated model,” Bernd Körber, Head of the Mini brand said. “The vehicle’s future success is convincing.”
Zesty yellow is the new, exclusive color for 2022 Mini convertibles. However, there’s no indication that yellow ragtops are fueling that demand.
A larger radiator grille, redesigned headlights, and side scuttles were detailed in our coverage previously. The Mini debuted three decades ago followed by the convertible. Mini claims their open-top, four-seater is the world’s best-selling convertible. Fewer convertibles in production will cause that.
Mini Convertibles have had the greatest acceptance in Germany, followed by the US and Great Britain. “Last year, almost one in five Mini customers in Germany opted for open-top driving fun,” said Körber. “This demonstrates the great enthusiasm of the Mini community for a vehicle concept like this in the future.”
True, the Mini Convertible is the only open-top in a shrinking premium small car segment. Three engine options, all with Mini’s TwinPower turbo technology, start with a 136 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque in a 1.5 liter, direct-injected three-cylinder. Next up in the S model is a 192 HP, 2.0-liter four-cylinder, with 206 lb-ft of torque. At the top of the range, the John Cooper Works’ four-banger puts out 231 HP and 235 lb-ft of torque.
Despite its frowning, bewildered-looking front fascia, the Mini Convertible has a high fun quotient. Starting at $27,900 and graduating to $31,900, you might consider buying one before the brand’s new generation of pure electric small cars is upon us.
[Images: Mini]
With a father who owned a dealership, I literally grew up in the business. After college, I worked for GM, Nissan and Mazda, writing articles for automotive enthusiast magazines as a side gig. I discovered you could make a living selling ad space at Four Wheeler magazine, before I moved on to selling TV for the National Hot Rod Association. After that, I started Roadhouse, a marketing, advertising and PR firm dedicated to the automotive, outdoor/apparel, and entertainment industries. Through the years, I continued writing, shooting, and editing. It keep things interesting.
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The dead animal look with the tongue hanging out of the mouth post mortem is not one I find attractive. My drive in an original type 2008 model MINI was notable only for the uncomfortableness of the interior, the wazzoo dials and switches of no use whatsoever unless you like reading a speedo down by your right knee, and the constant whines from the five-foot two lady forced to sit in the back. She hated it, I was not convinced, and that's as far as I ever got to thinking about BMW's idea of retro. Never did understand the reincarnated MINI. OTOH, my drive way back in 1970 in an original 1293cc souped-up Cooper S I will always remember. A hoot beyond words to describe, and with 85 hp in a 1500 lb car, one hell of a lot quicker than you'd think up to about 90 mph. But the handling! Wow, it was nimble, and the rasp of the twin carbs and big bore exhaust! Hell, anyone would have enjoyed that little devil. The way it scampered even around a parking lot would reduce you to a fit of the giggles.
I would have to see this car in person but from the photos the color is more lime green than yellow. I am glad to see other colors besides white, black, and gray. As for looks this Mini does not look any worse than a lot of the new vehicles and I would not say it resembles the Lexus gapping grill. This is much better than the Lexus grills.