The driving fun sewn into the fabric of every MINI can now be enjoyed with the roof up or down in the all-new MINI Roadster, the only open-top two-seater in the brand’s history. The MINI Roadster will be the sixth model in the British premium carmaker’s current line-up when it goes on sale in the USA in February 2012. Three powerful engine options and sophisticated chassis technology with model-specific tuning see to it that the characteristic MINI go-kart feeling is always on tap. And the MINI Roadster’s classical soft-top roof, which can be easily opened and closed manually, ensures open-top driving pleasure can be soaked up at every opportunity.

The hallmark MINI design language within the proportions of a roadster gives the first open-top two-seater in the history of MINI an unmistakable and irresistible charisma. Even with the roof closed, the MINI Roadster displays an elegant, sweeping silhouette, with the transition from soft-top to rear end highlighting its characteristic three-box design particularly clearly. This layout encompasses a clear visual separation of the car’s boot (capacity: 8.5 ft3) from the passenger compartment, while a wide through-loading system behind the seats enhances practicality.

The MINI Roadster will be available with a choice of three powerful yet also efficient engines. The model line-up ranges from the MINI Cooper Roadster (121 hp) and MINI Cooper S Roadster (181 hp), to the sharpest performer of all, the 208 hp MINI John Cooper Works Roadster.

MINI John Cooper Works Roadster:

1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection, plus numerous technological details carried over directly from motorsports.

Displacement: 1,598 cc
Output: 208 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. torque: 192 lb-ft at 1,850 – 5,600 rpm (207 lb-ft with Overboost at 1,700 – 4,500 rpm)
Acceleration: 0–60 mph: 6.3 seconds
Top speed: 147 mph
US EPA Estimated Fuel Economy: Not yet available
Price: (US) $35,200

MINI Cooper S Roadster:

1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology.

Displacement: 1,598 cc
Output: 181 hp at 5,500 rpm
Max. torque: 177 lb-ft at 1,600 – 5,000 rpm (192 lb-ft with Overboost at 1,700 – 4,500 rpm)
Acceleration: 0–60 mph: 6.7 seconds
Top speed: 141 mph
US EPA Estimated Fuel Economy: Not yet available
Price: (US) $28,050

MINI Cooper Roadster:

1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology.

Displacement: 1,598 cc
Output: 121 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. torque: 114 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm
Acceleration: 0–60 mph: 8.7 seconds
Top speed: 124 mph
US EPA Estimated Fuel Economy: Not yet available
Price: (US) $25,050