MINI UK celebrates a key milestone with the 25th anniversary of the MINI Convertible, that first went on sale in 1993. The iconic vehicle is similarly celebrating another ground-breaking landmark as the bestselling convertible model in the UK.

1993 MINI CABRIOLET

The Rover MINI Cabriolet was introduced in June 1993, following a previously successful UK trial of the MINI Lamm Cabriolet in 1991. During the trial, German-based Lamm Autohaus removed the roof of the vehicle prior to sale in the UK and it was an instant hit with all 75 vehicles selling immediately – making it one of the rarest MINIs ever produced.

At the launch, MINI Cabriolet cost almost double that of the 1993 Classic MINI and was available in two colours, Caribbean Blue with a Grey hood and Nightfire Red with matching hood, and featured new 12-inch diameter Revolution wheels as well as chrome sill kick strips. The car also featured a specially strengthened body shell to accommodate the new hood.

While the MINI Cabriolet’s mechanical components were identical to the Cooper 1.3i of the time, the interior was luxuriously finished with a burr walnut dashboard, a black leather steering wheel and colour coded seat belts.

2004 MINI CONVERTIBLE: THE CONVERTIBLE REIMAGINED

The MINI Convertible was launched to the world’s press at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. There were three models of the four-seater car: MINI One Convertible, MINI Cooper Convertible and MINI Cooper S Convertible, which were available in 10 exterior paint colours and had redesigned front and rear bumpers.

Since the 2004 MINI Convertible was launched, over 89,000 vehicles have been sold in the UK with the MINI Cooper Convertible proving the most popular, accounting for over 43 per cent of these sales.

Pepper White has been the most favoured exterior paint colour choice with UK customers, whilst 86 per cent of vehicles sold have been fitted with a manual gearbox.

In 2009, MINI added a unique twist to the Convertible with the introduction of the ‘Openometer’. Originally a physical dial on the dashboard, this feature allows owners to track how many hours they have driven with the roof down. Now called the ‘Always Open Timer’, this functionality is still built into MINI Convertible today and is found as a digital display in the MINI Visual Boost screen.

The Rain Warner function also sets the MINI Convertible apart. Available since 2016, this feature monitors the weather forecast in vicinity of the vehicle, and if the chance of rain is high and the car is being driving with the roof down, the on-board computer will alert the driver telling them to close the roof before the weather arrives.

In March 2018, the new MINI Convertible launched in the UK featuring new design and technology upgrades. Every MINI Convertible includes a fully-electric roof, front and rear LED lights, Rear Parking Distance Control, 6.5” colour infotainment screen, Intelligent emergency call (E-call), DAB digital radio, Bluetooth and more as standard.

2018 25TH ANNIVERSARY MINI CONVERTIBLE

To mark this significant milestone, MINI UK has launched a special 25th Anniversary Edition of the MINI Convertible. Complete with anniversary tread plates and plaque, along with an exclusive combination of Lounge leather upholstery in Satellite Grey with a Starlight Blue metallic exterior, this highly exclusive model looks great with the roof up or down.

Building on the MINI Cooper S Convertible specification, this edition also features white mirror caps, white bonnet stripes, MINI Yours Union Jack woven fabric roof and 18” MINI Yours Vanity Spoke alloy wheels in two-tone as standard.

To complete the specification, it is finished with Chili Pack, Navigation Plus Package and Harman Kardon Hi-Fi as standard, as well as an interior commemorative plaque for the cockpit fascia.

A limited run of just 300 models are available at MINI retailers nationwide with prices starting at £32,995 OTR.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BMW AND MINI RANGE, PLEASE CALL THE BMW GROUP DIPLOMATIC SALES TEAM ON 020 7514 3555, OR POP INTO THE SHOWROOM LOCATED AT 56 PARK LANE IN MAYFAIR.

WWW.BMWTAXFREE.CO.UK/DIPLOMATICSALES