That means the Convertible has the same wheelbase as the sedan—97.1 inches—and the same drivetrain as the standard-size sedan. A naturally-aspirated 1598 cc inline four set transversely and driving the front wheels is rated at 118 hp and is standard in the Mini Cooper Convertible. The Mini Cooper Convertible S is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter, rated at 172hp.

The second generation Convertible continues the spirit of the first with a low roadster-like roofline the gives the Convertible a rather jaunty attitude when not clocking time on the Openometer. Top-down time can also be increased with the Mini Convertible’s ability to drop the canvas at speeds up to twenty miles per hour. No more I’d-have-to-wait-while-the-top-goes-down excuses for you
The Mini Convertible minds impact safety with frontal airbags and side seatback-mounted airbags that protect both body and head. A new electromechanically-operated rollover bar behind the rear seat deploys in case of a rollover.

Back to the fun stuff: the Mini Convertible will be available near the end of the year, in an expanded range of body and top colors, wheels, and upholstery and interior trim options. There are model-specific trim options as well.
The Mini Convertible minds impact safety with frontal airbags and side seatback-mounted airbags that protect both body and head. A new electromechanically-operated rollover bar behind the rear seat deploys in case of a rollover.

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SUBTLE changes characterize the ‘07 Mini Cooper and Cooper S models which arrived at MINI Winnipeg’s showroom at the beginning of the week.

“The original design was very successful,” says MINI Winnipeg sales rep Patrick Hasselmann. “The designers did everything right with the original design so there was not a lot to change in the new model.”

The new model has broader, more muscular-looking shoulders, wrap-around windows that gives the roof a floating image, a cascade effect in the rear and chrome surrounds on the tail lights that accentuate the Cooper’s vertical lines.

Hasselmann reports that the model has an all new 1.6L, 16V engine, increased horsepower – 118 hp at 6,000rpm (172 hp for the Cooper S model), some changes in the suspension and new twin-scroll technology that almost completely eliminates turbo lag.

“Our new Cooper models have more standard equipment, more safety features, more power, better fuel economy and a more luxurious interior,” Hasselmann says.

MINI Winnipeg and Birchwood BMW (which share the same building) are in the process of redesigning the dealership’s customer lounge. The lounge used to be in the centre of the building between sales reps’ offices.

Management has relocated the lounge to the corner near the entrance where it is in a more open area with more natural lighting. Also new is a flat screen television. The renovations began in early December.

By: Myron Love (Updated: August 1 at 02:25 PM CDT)

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The Birchwood Auto Group’s nine dealerships have become Winnipeg’s newest Wi-Fi hot spots.

“MTS normally focuses on places such as restaurants and libraries for its Wi-Fi service,” says Kevin McNeill, director of information systems for the Birchwood Group. “We are the first auto dealers to offer the service.”

McNeill reports that there was some demand for the Internet service, particularly from customers from luxury vehicle stores (such as Birchwood BMW MINI, Woodhaven Lexus Toyota and the combination Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover store all at the Pointe West AutoPark in Headingley). “We decided to roll out the program at all of our stores,” McNeill says.

Birchwood customers are now able to bring their laptops with them when they bring their vehicles in for servicing, get the access code and go online for up to 60 minutes at a time while waiting for their vehicles.