2016 BMW Mini Convertible Launched in India, Will it Make it to the Philippines?

MANILA: After its UK debut last month, the 2016 BMW Mini Convertible was also launched in the neighboring Indian subcontinent and is presented with a choice of two variants. Although one cannot call India a convertible friendly market as the UK, its arrival shows how the people are being more receptive towards premium automobile brands such as BMW and Mercedes.

Talking about the new Mini Convertible, it not only looks much larger than its predecessor but is also much fun to drive due to the inclusion of the 6-speed Steptronic transmission. Sadly both the trims have been presented with a single 2.0-litre turbo engine that can produce up to 192 bhp and is also offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Despite of being a stick-shift assembly the gearbox is equipped with the Active Engine Speed Adaptation technology that results in effortless shifting. Being a larger sized vehicle than the previous model the 2016 Mini Convertible can accommodate up to 5 passengers with a highly comfortable front cabin. The circular housing for the infotainment panel looks totally futuristic while still maintaining its vintage aesthetics. On the safety front the vehicle is equipped with a sturdy outer body and a rigid frame. Advanced features such as ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Corner brake control, BMW Park Assist, Road Sign Detection and Collision prevention etc. are also included to enhance passenger safety.

The Philippines and the neighbouring Indonesian archipelago also follow similar market trends as India and are more inclined towards mass market cars such as Toyota, Honda, Suzuki and Ford etc. But if open top vehicles can be a hit in a country like UK that is known for its poor weather it can certainly be a treat to drive in warmer regions such as South Asia and Asia Pacific. Hence there might be a chance that the Filipino buyers might be able to see the 2016 BMW Mini Convertible in their homeland sometime by the end of this year.

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