When the new Mini Cooper Convertible is launching in South Africa

Mini has just revealed the new Cooper Convertible, and it’s coming to South Africa.

The carmaker confirmed that the open-top hatchback is scheduled to arrive in our market in the first quarter of 2025, following the launch of the standard three- and five-door models later this year.

What to expect

The new Mini’s centrepiece is its soft-top convertible roof, which can be fully opened and closed in 18 and 15 seconds, respectively.

Taking down the roof is done at the press of a button and can be performed while travelling at speeds of up to 30km/h. Users don’t always have to open it all the way, either, as it can be stopped at 40cm to create a sunroof effect.

The roof itself is made of woven black fabric, though buyers can add an optional grey Union Jack pattern for an additional cost.

An integrated rollover protection system is also hidden behind the rear headrests, which will deploy automatically in the event of an accident.

Of course, other elements of the hatchback’s design are the same as its siblings, with circular LED headlights and daytime running lights, and an updated octagonal front grille with Vibrant Silver or Jet Black highlights.

The new alloy wheels range from 16 to 18 inches in diametre, depending on the variant, and there are LED Union Jack taillights at the back.

Regarding storage space, the Convertible has a default boot size of 215 litres, and users still have access to 160 litres even when the soft top is folded in the back, thanks to a downward-opening tailgate.

Looking at the interior, the new Mini uses the same circular 9.4-inch display as its peers which serves as both the instrument cluster and infotainment system.

There’s a new toggle switch bar below the screen for basic inputs like the aircon, and customers can install an optional heads-up display to complement the central screen’s functions.

The Comfort seats are made from two-tone recycled polyester textiles (optionally artificial leather) in grey, white, black, or blue; with the flagship John Cooper Works (JCW) trim upgraded to black leather Sports seats with red cross stitching.

Other features include automatic climate control, push-button start, a multifunction steering wheel, onboard navigation, voice commands, and an optional Driving Assistant Plus package with lane and steering assist, 12 parking sensors, four surround-view cameras, and the Parking Assistant.

The Cooper Convertible will be sold with one of two 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engines, split between the base “C” and pricier “S” specifications.

The C models produce 120kW and 250Nm, giving the premium hatch a 0-100km/h time of 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 220km/h.

Paired with a seven-speed automatic gearbox, the topless hatch achieves an average fuel consumption of 6.5l/100km.

The S units, meanwhile, are uprated to generate 150kW and 300Nm, which lowers its acceleration time to 6.9 seconds while raising top speed to 237km/h.

Despite the increase in power, the Cooper S returns the same manufacturer-claimed fuel stat of 6.5l/100km.

The pricing and model line-up for the new Mini Cooper Convertible will be revealed closer to its launch in South Africa in early 2025.

Mini Cooper Convertible