MINI Convertible Sidewalk Officially Debuts

Eric Dec 15th, 2006 Link

Okay, I’m missing something here with the term, “Sidewalk”. What’s next, the “PA Pothole” edition? How about “Fresh Black Top”. “Slow City Driving” edition - only comes in Automatic.

indimini Dec 15th, 2006 Link

AutoBlog has some nice pics of the car here.

I like the interior, but the exterior color not so much.

PaulGraz Dec 15th, 2006 Link

…and if they offer a discount, that would be called a Sidewalk Sale! :-D

Chad Dec 15th, 2006 Link

Gasp! I love it. I have no desire to own a convertible, but it’s gorgeous.

Dave Dec 15th, 2006 Link

I like everything except the badging and the two tone steering wheel. Just having the lower half in malt brown is a bit strange.

The Malt Brown English Leather upholstery reminds me a bit of the baseball glove stitched seats from the Audi TT.

eager2own Dec 15th, 2006 Link

I agree that the color . . . or colour in the AutoBlog pics is not the best. But I do love that interior, and would be curious to see what the other 3 exclusive colours are.
It’s too bad the “sidewalk” branding (which is a silly name) is so distinctively displayed on the sides and on the door sills.

Are they refering to a different rack accessory? I assume they’re just talking about the Sport Link.

Gabe Dec 15th, 2006 Link

All press pics posted above…. enjoy!

kelly Dec 15th, 2006 Link

the wheels look like they got scraped along a kerb. the sidewalk sticker is pretty sweet though.

brad Dec 15th, 2006 Link

looks like the dug deep into the old BMW paint colors for that one. it resembles the old 2002 color called “nevada” as seen here:

http://www.midatlantik2002s.com/albums/VVBMW1/nc_021.sized.jpg

Zeke Dec 15th, 2006 Link

I like.

Brian Dec 15th, 2006 Link

Very NICE!

agranger Dec 15th, 2006 Link

Love the upholstry! Mmmmmm…. malty!

Chad Dec 15th, 2006 Link

I’d take the color and leather and wheels on a 07 MCS in an instant. Exclusive sucks.

Badburro Dec 15th, 2006 Link

I like the English leather seats, but I’m not too sure about the color of the car. Do the seats come in black for the convertible (I know they didn’t for ‘06). All in all, still happy with my BEP MCSc, with absolutely no desire to “upgrade”.

Crusoe Dec 15th, 2006 Link

That color is sparkling silver from the new pallet no? It will be nice to see the entire color and interior choice range but this one looks nice all around.
Wheels are kick arse looking but are probably 25lbs each.
Hmm Sidewalk. Side badges are big and plastic and looks like they have sidewalk door sills so removing may leave a scar.

Dave Dec 15th, 2006 Link

The Sidewalk name appears to have been used in the past by Mini, at that point it was on a Coupe. Still nice to see MINI using a bit of Mini heritage.

From minisidewalk.co.uk/
The “Sidewalk” was produced by Rover between 1994-1996.  There was only 1000 produced making them a limited edition. They came in Kingfisher blue, Charcoal grey and White diamond.

Seth L Dec 15th, 2006 Link

All I read was “available in four colors” I didn’t see anything about more exclusive colors then the one?

Although it would look awesome in Silk Green : )

Dave Dec 15th, 2006 Link

All I read was “available in four colors” I didn’t see anything about more exclusive colors then the one?

Since the press release above is more specific to the U.K., it will be interesting to see how this gets translated for the U.S. Market.

With the “Seven” and the “Checkmate” the U.S. market had a bit more flexibility in specing the cars since they weren’t strictly “special editions” but treated more as an “options package”.

If the same thing happens again, then there may be more than four colors available in the U.S. market for the “sidewalk options package” (if it is handled that way).

GZ Dec 15th, 2006 Link

Silk green. Good suggestion. I’ve seen that on some ’02s. How about a powder blue similar to Thunderbirds. Both are girly colors but still look sharp.

I don’t care much for this, however, MINI deserves credit for trying to freshen up the MCSC line as it basically remains stagnant until ‘09 (sniff).

SB Dec 15th, 2006 Link

That’s a sharp looking convertible.

Wessy Dec 15th, 2006 Link

Yum! Can’t wait to find out what the other colors will be.

IB Dec 15th, 2006 Link

Rumour has it that the other colours will be good ol’ BRG, Pepper White and maybe Pure Silver, along with the Sparkling Silver pictured above.
I don’t think anything else in the current R52/R56 colour range would really work, apart from Astro Black.

Obi Quiet Dec 15th, 2006 Link

Am I missing something? A surfboard rack for a convertible? Is this possible with the Sport Link setup?

GSKChicago Dec 15th, 2006 Link

Love the seats. Not sure I like the paint color in the press photo’s and not sure I like the wheels.

wirelessdeo Dec 15th, 2006 Link

I like the idea of the luggage rack!

Wessy Dec 15th, 2006 Link

Following on from your comment, IB, I agree that the malt brown leather would go beautifully with BRG, Pepper White, and Astro Black, and yeah, it would work with Pure Silver, too. I’d love to see it with the outgoing Hot Orange, or the new Mellow Yellow, as well as with a blue like the Kingfisher Blue on the classic Sidewalk site Dave linked to above.

petsounds Dec 15th, 2006 Link

I love the piping on those seats. I think it would make for a great regular option on other MINIs. It would add a bit more vintage back into the MINI which the redesign took away.

The paint color isn’t so bad, but it seems more at home on a sneaker than a MINI.

gmini Dec 15th, 2006 Link

too bad we wonm’t be getting those seats. Is there an angineer around that can get us out of the hell of flat seat cushions?????

abbydog3 Dec 16th, 2006 Link

Loving those rims, they are calling my name!

ChrisW Dec 16th, 2006 Link

“the wheels look like they got scraped along a kerb”

That’s exactly what I was thinking! These wheels look just like my Konig Rewinds after a run in with a grinder.

I do like them. The rest of the car, I’m undecided…

FrankInMiami Dec 18th, 2006 Link

Nice convertible. For those that find the R56 styling a bit funky and still prefer the supercharger and the better looking classic style of the R50 era, this car is the ticket.

whiteroofradio.com » Woofcast #120 Dec 19th, 2006 Link

[...] We spent some time talking about the new Sidewalk Edition convertible and some of the items that can be found in the Motoringfile Gift Guide. You don’t want to forget that special MINIac in your lives this year, and you don’t have much time left! [...]

JP Dec 20th, 2006 Link

My MINI advisor told me it will be a $3,500 option which will make the base price of a MINI S around $30,000.

AMC Dec 21st, 2006 Link

Street only comes in one flavor.