Mini has unveiled its last new-generation petrol-powered car – the 2025 Mini Cooper Convertible – ahead of its Australian arrival in the first three months of 2025.

As with the latest petrol-powered three- and five-door Mini hatchbacks, the new Convertible is a heavy facelift of the outgoing model on sale for a decade – rather than an all-new vehicle – to save costs in the switch to electric cars.

The Cooper Convertible is believed to be the final new-generation Mini with petrol power before the BMW-owned small-car specialist switches to electric power early next decade – pending any delays.

It is the second-last piece in the puzzle for Mini’s latest model line-up, as it is reportedly planned to be followed by an electric Convertible in the next 12 to 18 months on the platform of the Chinese-built electric Cooper, according to Mini specialist website MotoringFile.

The latest petrol Convertible has a new front fascia similar to other new-generation Mini models, as well as a redesigned cabin, and an updated range of three- and four-cylinder petrol engines.

But it misses out on a key styling change seen on the latest hatchbacks: the triangular tail-lights.

Instead, it retains the tailgate design and rounded-rectangular light shape of the outgoing model, as Mini was unable to integrate the triangular tail-lights into the Convertible body shell, according to MotoringFile – or was not willing to spend the money to do so.

The lights have been revised with new signatures, with the tailgate wearing updated badges similar to the latest Cooper hatch.

The soft-top roof can be closed or opened electrically in 18 seconds at speeds up to 30km/h, and offers a sunroof function that allows all but a 40cm gap above the front occupants to be in its raised position.

Wheel sizes between 16 and 18 inches are available, as is a JCW Trim styling pack with unique bumpers and black accents that is intended to mirror the eventual high-performance JCW version of the Convertible.

It measures 3879mm long, 1744mm wide and 1431mm tall – nearly identical to the outgoing model – with a 215-litre boot with the roof up that drops to 160 litres when the soft-top is lowered.

Inside, the Convertible adopts the Cooper hatchback’s 9.5-inch circular OLED infotainment touchscreen, and simplified centre console which positions the gear shifter, engine start button, volume control and more on a slim bar of toggles under the screen.

There is no dedicated instrument display, rather the vehicle’s speed is shown on the infotainment screen, as well as a flip-up head-up display ahead of the driver.

Drive modes are now dubbed Mini Experience Modes, including a ‘Go-Kart’ mode expected to play a ‘ya-hoo!’ sound effect through the speakers when selected, and set the infotainment graphics to a black and red colour scheme.

Wireless phone charging is available, as well as a choice of standard or JCW sport front seats in textile or synthetic leather-look material, depending on the model grade.

All models in Australia are set to be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, offered in three states of tune – Cooper C, Cooper S and John Cooper Works (JCW) – and all matched with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The use of a four-cylinder engine in the Cooper C open-top will be limited to select markets, according to MotoringFile. European versions will use a 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder, as offered in the Cooper C hatch in Australia and overseas.

The Cooper C four-cylinder develops 120kW/250Nm, for a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 8.2 seconds, and fuel consumption based on European WLTP testing of 6.5-6.6L/100km.

The Cooper S version of the drop-top develops 150kW/300Nm for 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds, and identical fuel consumption rating to the Cooper C.

Details of the JCW performance variant are yet to be revealed, but reports suggest it will develop 170kW/380Nm, up from 170kW/320Nm today.

A suite of advanced safety systems is available on the new Convertible, including lane-keep assist and lane centring assist for the first time, plus adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera and automatic parking.

The 2025 Mini Cooper Convertible is due in Australian showrooms in the first quarter of next year (January to March).

Production of the Convertible is returning to the UK after nine years in the Netherlands at a factory owned by manufacturing firm VDL Nedcar, which has built cars for Volvo, Mitsubishi and BMW across the past 50 years.

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