Mini no more (pictures)

The Mini can be described as front-wheel drive fun. The Cooper S Convertible model ratchets up the enjoyment with a beefy engine and a rag top.

The next-generation Mini Cooper S Convertible is a whopping 4.5 inches longer than the outgoing model. It's also just over 3,000 pounds. A portly little piggy, indeed.

With the top up, the Mini Cooper S Convertible maintains the square-backed look of its hard-top brother.

The power retractable soft top takes 18 seconds to fully drop, and can be done at speeds of up to 18 mph.

The safety roll bars are incorporated directly into the chassis. If the system detects danger, they will deploy within 150 milliseconds.

The top could be compressed a bit more in its fully lowered position. As it is the folded soft top presents a bit of a sight line problem.

The Mini Cooper S Convertible top can also be set to sun-roof mode for those days when you want some fresh air but must be mindful of your hairdo.

The tailgate can support up to 176 pounds.

Two interior levers flip the rear of the top upward, allowing for a larger access portal to the 7.6 cubic-foot trunk. When the top is down, that space is reduced to 5.7 cubic feet.

The dominating maw of a grille of the next generation Mini Cooper S Convertible is ready to swallow Fiat 500 Cabrios whole.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but a six-speed automatic can be had for $1,250. Add paddle shifters for an additional $250.

While the Mini Cooper S Convertible is billed as a four-passenger car, those rear passengers better be pretty tiny indeed if they hope to have a modicum of comfort in the rear seat.

Cream-colored upholstery with contrasting piping makes an excellent compliment to the new Caribbean Aqua color.

While the speedometer has been moved to the driver's gauge cluster, the classic center plate is still there. Now it holds the infotainment system with an 8.8-inch high-resolution screen and navigation.

A small but mighty 2-liter engine puts out 189 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque.

You can have friends. You can have a wind deflector. You can not have both.