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BMW has take the opportunity to launch the second generation MINI Cabrio during the North America International Auto Show. The Cooper ragtop is priced at €22,500 while the Cooper S convertible costs €4,000 more. The car is be equipped with a 1.6L engine which capable to produce 120hp for the NA version and 160hp for the turbo engine version. Turbo will only equipped to the MINI Cooper S.

The Euro-market cars get BMW Efficient Dynamics features including brake regeneration and stop/start. For the exterior, 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 The fixed roll hoops of the current car have been replaced by a pop-up system behind the back seat.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 9 mph or so. The sliding sunroof feature can be utilized at even higher speeds -- up to 60 mph or so. Stability control is standard equipment.

Back into the interior, the current MINI instrument panel is employed, and drivers with a hankering for extraneous gimmickery can order up the Always-Open timer, a secondary gauge that mounts next to the tach. It monitors how much time you clock with the top down.