MINI Convertible Dresses Up for "I Kissed a Girl" singer, Kate Perry

You may not know her by her name, but we're pretty sure that you've heard Kate Perry's 2008 pop song, "I Kissed a Girl". So what has MINI got to do with Kate Perry, we hear you ask? Well, the British automaker decided to create a "Kate Perry" style Convertible for this year's Life Ball event, Europe's largest annual HIV/AIDS charity gathering. At last year's event, MINI came up with an erotic themed Clubman styled by lingerie firm, "Agent Provocateur". The Kate Perry-style Life Ball MINI Convertible 2009 is the work of "The Blonds", aka Puerto Rican Phillipe and US designer David Blond.

Aside from a design mock-up that shows a pink leopard-skinned MINI Convertible, we don't have any specific information on the car so we have no idea what it means to be styled for Kate Perry. Of course we could use our grimy imagination and the lyrics of her only well-known song to come up with an idea or two, but we'll behave - this time...

Geneva Preview: MINI John Cooper Works Convertible 211HP

The hottest drop-top variant of the new MINI Cooper has been officially revealed ahead its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March. Not surprisingly, the MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible features the same performance engineering and chassis modifications as the hatch model including a more powerful version of the 1.6-litre twin scroll-turbocharged engine that produces 211 hp and up to 280 Nm peak torque with Overboost deployed.

The engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox which has been strengthened to handle the extra available power. The MINI JCW Convertible goes from zero to 60 (96 km/h) in 6.9 sec or 0.4 sec slower than the hatch, and onto a top speed of 146 mph (235 km/h) while returning a combined 39.8 mpg UK that translates to 33.2 mpg US and 7.1 lt / 100km.

Other modifications concern the uprated brake system with bright red Brembo performance calipers, a series of electronic aids such as the EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), CBC (Cornering Brake Control), EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control), DSC (Dynamic Stability Control incorporating Hill Assist) and DTC (Dynamic Traction Control).

Like the hatch, the JCW Convertible also features a sport button located in front of the gear stick that activates a bespoke engine control map producing boost earlier in the rev range and sharpening steering and throttle response.

Visually, the JCW Convertible subtly stands out thanks to an aero kit and a set of unique cross-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels while inside, it features a bespoke John Cooper Works Alcantara steering wheel, sport seats, JCW floor mats and glossy piano black interior.

2009 MINI Cooper S Convertible John Cooper Works Set for Geneva Debut

Fans of the new MINI Convertible will be excited to learn that according to Auto Cars 2011's sources, the British firm will launch the all-new John Cooper Works version of the drop-top model in Geneva. Like its hardtop sibling, the JCW MINI Cooper S Convertible's 1.6 litre twin-scroll turbo engine receives a power increase to 211 hp, from the standard unit's 172 hp. Maximum torque is also extended from 240 Nm to 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) and is available from 1,850 rpm to 5,600 rpm. By means of overboost the torque can be increased to 280 Nm (207 lb-ft).

Elsewhere, the MINI Convertible will feature upgraded brakes and suspension as wellas a series of visual upgrades including John Cooper Works branding on the front grille and tailgate, a subtle aerodynamic kit and a set of 17-inch alloy wheels (18's optional).

2009 MINI Cooper Convertible Breaks Cover

Believe it or not, this is the next-generation MINI Cooper Convertible that will most likely make its debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show in January with sales scheduled to start in Spring of the same year. An anonymous tipster sent a set of seven official images to MotoringFile, a dedicated MINI blog, giving us an early view of the new Convertible that is based on the underpinnings of the latest generation MINI hatch that was introduced at the 2006 Paris Show. -Continued

Even though we don’t have any official details, apparently the Convertible will be offered with the same powertrain options as the hatch, meaning the line-up will include 95 HP 1.4-liter, 120HP 1.6-liter and 175 HP turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline units and a 110 HP 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine. Additionally, it is said that the JCW sport package that features a modified version of the 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbocharged engine generating 208 HP will also be available from launch.

Other than that, the 2009 MINI Convertible gets a new set of pop-up roll bars at the rear just like the ones in the BMW 1-Series Cabriolet instead of the fixed units featured on the outgoing model along with a totally useless gimmick called ‘Always Open’ gauge that shows the driver the percentage of miles he’s driven the car with the top open.

Source: MotoringFile , Via: Autoblog.com