Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertibles, Euro, Videos, MINI

Well, here's one car we'll all be able to cover in Detroit come January. BMW has officially announced that the second-generation MINI Cabrio will make its debut at the North American International Auto Show. No need to wait to place orders; you can do that now. The Cooper ragtop is priced at $24,550 while the Cooper S convertible costs $3,000 more. Customer delivery kicks off on March 28.

So, what's new? Well, for one, the new Cabrio looks like the current-gen Cooper. Likewise, it shares the hardtop cars' 1.6L engines -- 118 hp NA for the Cooper, and 172 hp turbo for the Cooper S. The Euro-market cars get BMW Efficient Dynamics features including brake regeneration and stop/start. The U.S.? Not so much. Out back, the fold-down tailgate's hinges are now internal, giving the car's tush a smoother look. The fixed roll hoops of the current car have been replaced by a pop-up system behind the back seat. This makes for a good-looking, clean top-down profile and should improve rearward visibility for the driver. Speaking of the top, it can be operated at speeds up to 20 mph or so, and it fully disappears in just 15 seconds. The sliding sunroof feature can be utilized at even higher speeds -- up to 60 mph or so. Stability control is standard equipment.

Inside, the current MINI instrument panel is employed, and drivers with a hankering for extraneous gimmickery can order up the "Openometer", a secondary gauge that mounts next to the tach. It monitors how much time you clock with the top down. Yeah, yeah -- useless. You know people are gonna eat it up. Follow the jump for a video and MINI's full PR (now updated with the U.S. version).


[Source: MINI]

Continue reading 2009 Mini Cooper Cabrio unveiled! Detroit debut, hits showrooms in March

2009 Mini Cooper Cabrio unveiled! Detroit debut, hits showrooms in March originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertibles, Supercars, Ferrari, Special/Limited Editions

Click either image for hi-res gallery of the Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M

The summer season may be over, but that won't stop Ferrari from going topless. Because in Italy, the end of the beach season is superseded only by the end of the Formula One season, and this year the Scuderia took home the constructors' title. To celebrate, Ferrari has unveiled the Scuderia Spider 16M at the annual finals at its Mugello circuit in northern Italy, the same place the company revealed the enhanced FXX Evoluzione last year.

As we've already reported, the Scuderia Spider is a limited-edition roadster amalgamating the best features of the existing 430 Scuderia and F430 Spider, giving a lucky 499 customers a blistering open-air driving experience faster than any Maranello has offered before. The rest of us can only ogle and admire from afar, so check out the updated gallery of high-resolution images by clicking the thumbnails below. Thanks to everyone who sent in the tips!

[Source: Ferrari]

More Photos: Ferrari unveils Scuderia Spider 16M at Mugello originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertibles, Supercars, Ferrari, Special/Limited Editions

After winning its 16th Formula one constructors championship last week, Ferrari has chosen this week to release a open top version of the F430 Scuderia. The Scuderia Spider 16M gets all the goodies from the lightweight Scuderia coupe like the 510 hp 4.3L V8 and the 6-speed F1 paddle shift gearbox. Ferrari is claiming the Scuderia Spider is the fastest open top model they've ever tested around the Fiorano test track, presumably beating out even the might F50 of decade ago. The Scuderia is 176 lbs lighter than a standard F430 spider at 2954 lbs dry. That's claimed to be good enough for a 0-62 mph sprint in 3.7 seconds and a terminal velocity of 195.7 mph. As a limited series model Ferrari has of course added lots of distinguishing features like a carbon fiber shell around the roll bar, number plaque on the dash and special interior trim packages. Only 499 Scuderia Spiders will be built and they will undoubtedly be priced higher than the $277,000 US base price of the coupe. For those with access to that much disposable cash, it will surely be worth the price of admission. The press release is after the jump.


[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Officially Official: Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M to celebrate F1 title

Officially Official: Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M to celebrate F1 title originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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