MINI won’t have any world debuts in LA, but it will bring along its two newest models, the Convertible and Clubman for their first US appearance.
Revealed at the Tokyo Auto Show at the end of October, the new MINI Convertible is built around the three-door hatch swapping its fixed top for an electrically operated retractable cloth roof that can fully open or close at speeds of up to 18mph.
While retaining its predecessor’s four-seat layout, it’s 3.9 inches longer and 1.7 inches wider with a 1.1-inch longer wheelbase that increases legroom for all passengers. It also has a 25 percent larger boot than before.
MINI’s second US debut is the new generation of the Clubman that’s more ‘maxi’ than ‘mini’ growing in size and obtaining four traditional passenger doors that turn it into a fully-fledged station wagon – just don’t call it that… It still has vertically split, dual rear doors that can now be open with a swift kick under the bumper.
As MINI’s biggest model, it’s more expensive than the smaller Countryman with US prices starting from $25,950 for the Cooper model powered by a 134hp 1.5L three-pot, and $28,500 for the Cooper S version that gets a 189hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four.
Speaking of the Countryman, MINI said that it will be celebrating the production of the 500,000th example of the sub-compact crossover that will be on display at MINI’s LA Auto Show stand.
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