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Mini Cooper SE Convertible revealed for electric top-down motoring

The electric Mini Cooper SE Convertible is officially a production car! Sadly, that production is exclusively slated for Europe right now, but if we all yell loudly enough, maybe we can get Mini to send some across the ocean. In reality, the chances of the SE Convertible coming here are nearly zero, if not zero. Mini is only making 999 of them as a small series experiment of sorts. Its powertrain and battery pack is the same as the hardtop SE. That means it’s sporting a single front motor with 184 horsepower. The 0-62 mph time for the Convertible is 8.2 seconds, and the electrically operated soft top (with a Union Jack) can be deployed at speeds up to 18 mph. Range is just 125 miles on the optimistic WLTP cycle, which is considerably less than the hardtopÂ’s max of 145 miles. Here in the U.S., the Mini SE is only rated for 114 miles on the EPA testing cycle. If Mini ever brought it here, weÂ’d expect the Convertible to suffer a similarly proportioned range penalty. Mini applies a number of unique exterior appointments to the SE Convertible. For starters, itÂ’s only going to be available in either Enigmatic Black or White Silver. The door handles, side scuttles and light/grille surrounds are then finished in bronze. All of the logos and model lettering gets painted in a glossy black. Plus, the “E” logo is displayed across the front grille with a bronze finish. YouÂ’ll notice “1 of 999” lettering on the side scuttles, and if you open the door to look at the sills, the same “1 of 999” emblem is present again. The steering wheel gets an “E” badge, and the interior is only available in a single spec. Black leather and heated seats come standard, and the glossy black trim does, too. Yellow accents, the same as you get in the Hardtop, all emphasize the electric nature of the car. Production will take place in the Netherlands, and cars will begin shipping in April this year. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. MINI Electric Pacesetter inside and out

Thanks to smaller engines, vehicle dependability falls for first time in 16 years

As automakers have made engines smaller and smaller to improve fuel economy, problems in those vehicles have gotten bigger and bigger. That's the synopsis of a J.D. Power vehicle-dependability study, which found that dependability dropped for the first time in 16 years, largely because the proliferation of four-cylinder engines is causing the vehicles to be less reliable. Specifically, the number of problems per 100 vehicles (or what J.D. Power calls PP100) during the past 12 months for 2011 model-year vehicles rose six percent from the year-earlier figures for 2010 model-year cars. Singling out four-cylinder vehicles revealed about a 10-percent increase in problems during the past year. This issues largely related to engine hesitation, rough transmission shifting and lack of power, signaling the inability of vehicle makers to iron out some of the problems in their smaller engines as they strove for better fuel economy. Six- and five-cylinder engines proved far more reliable. Among car brands, BMW's Mini sub-brand came out as least reliable, with 185 problems per 100 vehicles during the past year. Toyota's Lexus badge was easily the most reliable, with just 68 problems per 100 vehicles. Coming in second place was Mercedes-Benz. The overall average was 133. Check out J.D. Power's press release below. J.D. Power Reports: Increased Engine and Transmission Problems Contribute to Decline in Vehicle Dependability for The First Time in More Than 15 Years General Motors Company Receives Eight Segment Awards, While Toyota Motor Corporation Garners Seven and Honda Motor Company Earns Six WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: o Owners of 3-year-old vehicles (2011 model year) report more problems than did owners of 3-year-old vehicles last year, according to the J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) released today. The study, now in its 25th year, examines problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of 2011 model-year vehicles. Overall dependability is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The study finds that overall vehicle dependability averages 133 PP100, a 6 percent increase in problems from 126 PP100 in 2013. This marks the first time since the 1998 study that the average number of problems has increased. "Until this year, we have seen a continual improvement in vehicle dependability," said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D.

Mini's Superleggera concept could see production; here's what it might look like

We fell in love with the Mini Superleggera Vision Concept from the moment we laid eyes on it. The little convertible blends retro and modern together better than any Mini in years. There is even more good news about the roadster as well because the company is considering actually building it. We even have some renders of what the production version could look like.
Mini boss Peter Schwarzenbauer tells Automotive News at the 2014 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, that the Superleggera might have a life beyond its debut. "We wanted to test how Mini enthusiasts worldwide were reacting to such a different type of Mini. So far, it has re
ceived overwhelming appreciation," he said to AN. But here's the bad news. All of the unique elements of the droptop wouldn't be cheap to build. Pricing would likely be around 35,000 euros if BMW gives it the green light, according to Schwarzenbauer. It's too early to know whether the road car would use the electric motor from the concept or something more conventional.