The presentation of the MINI brand at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit is characterised in particular by the world debut of an unusually thrilling model and the breakthrough of the brand into a new age of mobility.

The first public appearance of the new MINI Convertible is leading up as a highly attractive highlight to the warm season, the open four-seater MINI offering lots of opportunities to start the convertible season this year at a particularly early point in time.

The public in Detroit will also have the opportunity from 17-25 January 2009 to experience the MINI E, with 500 units of the first all-electric MINI to be driven in California, New York and New Jersey by selected customers in everyday traffic. Introducing this revolutionary model, the BMW Group is setting a further milestone en route to individual mobility completely free of emissions.

Further highlights at the 2009 NAIAS are the current versions of the MINI and MINI Clubman. The focus in particular is on the latest additions to the range, the MINI John Cooper Works and the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman. Both of these top-flight athletes are powered by a 155 kW/211 hp four-cylinder with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct gasoline injection.

Even more fun in everyday traffic: the new MINI Convertible.

Presenting the 2009 model range in Detroit, MINI is putting everything in place to continue the brand's unique story of success in the USA at a fast and dynamic pace. Particularly the new MINI Convertible scheduled to enter the market in March 2009 will establish new momentum, taking up the success of the former model already most popular in the USA, with loyal aficionados throughout the country: Out of a total production volume of some 164,000 MINI Convertibles in the first generation, more than 37,000 units - about 24 per cent - were sold in the United States.

The new MINI Convertible is based on the qualities of its predecessor, giving even greater emphasis to the characteristic strengths of the open-air MINI. And thanks to new engines as well as the suspension upgraded to an even higher standard, this one and only premium convertible in its segment offers all the driving pleasure so typical and characteristic of MINI.

At the same time the new model comes with a new, retractable rollover safety system and a wide range of detailed solutions for exceptional all-round functionality. The new MINI Convertible is therefore perfectly prepared for all the challenges of everyday motoring, inviting the driver and passengers to enjoy the pleasant moments of life more often than ever before. To open the soft roof, for example, all you have to do is press a button, the roof opening fully automatically within just 15 seconds (and closing again just as fast).

MINI Cooper S Convertible (2009)
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The new MINI Convertible is entering the US automobile market with two model variants. The new MINI Cooper Convertible powered by an 88 kW/120 hp 1.6-litre four-cylinder offers particularly sporting character and powerful performance. The power unit comes with fully variable valve management developed on the basis of the BMW Group's unique VALVETRONIC technology and ensuring an optimised torque curve, superior power and exemplary efficiency.

The new MINI Cooper Convertible accelerates to 100 km/h or 62 mph in 9.8 seconds and has a top speed of 198 km/h or 123 mph. Fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 5.7 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 41.1 mpg US, and the CO2 rating is 127 grams per kilometre.

The new MINI Cooper S Convertible likewise featuring a 1.6-litre four-cylinder power unit but in this case with maximum output of 128 kW/175 hp thanks to the twin-scroll turbocharger and direct gasoline injection offers even more power and performance, accelerating to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.4 seconds, Top speed, in turn, is an equally impressive 222 km/h or 138 mph.

Average fuel consumption of the MINI Cooper S Convertible in the EU test cycle is 6.4 litres (equal to 36.6 mpg US), and the car's emission rating is 153 grams per kilometre. Compared with their predecessors, therefore, both the new MINI Cooper Convertible and the new MINI Cooper S Convertible offer a significantly higher standard of performance on substantially less fuel and with much lower emissions.

Apart from the fast-revving and powerful engines, modern suspension technology helps to give both new models a new dimension in agile handling. Both the MINI Cooper S Convertible and the MINI Cooper Convertible come with DSC Dynamic Stability Control featured as standard. As an option, Dynamic Stability Control may be further upgraded by the DTC optimised traction mode available exclusively on the MINI as the only front-wheel-drive car with this technology and an electrical locking function on the drive wheel differential.

Safety is raised to an even higher standard, inter alia, by the new rollover safety system moving up electromechanically whenever required. This single-piece rollbar rests almost out of sight behind the rear seats, moving up within fractions of a second only when the electronic safety control registers the risk of a rollover.

Thanks to the design and structure of the single-piece rollbar, the through-loading between the luggage and passenger compartment is particularly large and generous in size, increasing the maximum loading capacity of the MINI Convertible by 55 to 660 litres (23.1 cu ft).

The wide range of options for customising the new MINI Convertible has also been extended once again, new body colours, three different colour and trim variants on the roof and a large number of upholstery options, interior surfaces and trim bars enabling the customer to create his - or her - very own car in his personal style.

Setting out for emission-free mobility: the MINI E.

Yet another MINI highlight at the 2009 NAIAS likewise offers driving pleasure typical of MINI in everyday motoring: Immediately after the launch of a pilot project in a number of US states, the trendsetting MINI E is now being presented to the public in Detroit.

This unique new model boasts an electric motor developing maximum output of no less than 150 kW/204 hp. This kind of superior energy comes from a lithium-ion battery fitted at the rear of this two-seater and giving the car a cruising range of more than 240 kilometres or, respectively, 150 miles.

The energy reservoir may be recharged from any kind of power socket, with power reserves being replenished particularly quickly from a special Wallbox delivered to the customer together with the MINI E.

Extracting a maximum of 28 kilowatt hours from the power mains, the MINI E is able to cover a distance of 5.4 miles on each kilowatt supplied to the car.

The MINI E combines emission-free motoring with agility typical of the brand. Acceleration to 100 km/h or 62 mph comes in just 8.5 seconds, with top speed limited electronically to 152 km/h or. respectively, 95 mph.

Running 500 cars under practical, everyday driving conditions on the road in the USA, MINI will be gaining practical experience through a representative cross-section of users. At the same time the BMW Group will benefit from valuable experience in developing production cars running entirely on electrical power.

Motorsport know-how for the road: the MINI John Cooper Works.

The outstanding performance of the MINI John Cooper Works and the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman are likewise the result of the BMW Group's outstanding competence in the development of new engine technology. The 155 kW/211 hp four-cylinder featured in both of these models comes straight from the power unit raced in the MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport Series. The MINI John Cooper Works accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.5, the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman in 6.8 seconds. Both models have a top speed of 238 km/h or 148 mph.

Both of these top-flight athletes are built at the MINI Plant in Oxford together with the other models in the range. Through their particular character and qualities focusing without compromises on an active driving experience, these very special models add an important highlight to the brand's overall range. And like the new MINI Convertible, they also prove the diversity the MINI brand is able to offer.

Proudly presenting the current model range and the trendsetting MINI E, the MINI brand is making a more attractive and innovative appearance than ever before at the 2009 NAIAS. By tradition, the North American International Auto Show is the first world-class motor show of the year, with car shows having been held in Detroit since 1907. This year the organisers and almost 100 exhibitors expect some 700,000 visitors from all over the world.