Cooper Convertible

Make
Mini
Segment
Compact

Mini USA is introducing a beach-inspired special edition of the 2024 Mini Cooper S Convertible to the local market, with 500 examples of the Seaside Edition destined for our shores in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the first Mini convertible.

Celebrating "30 years of individual style and maximum fresh-air driving fun," the special edition will be available exclusively in either Caribbean Aqua or Nanuq White and receives unique design features and exclusive equipment.

This includes high-gloss white exterior trim and unique patterns found in the front bumper decal, wheel center caps, and side scuttles. The chosen paint color dictates which wheels you receive. The gorgeous Caribbean Aqua is paired with 18-inch Pulse wheels with a two-tone finish, while Nanuq White examples receive 17-inch Roulette rims in a two-tone finish. The former gets summer performance tires, while the latter receives all-season rubber.

Mini has worked hard to create a beach vibe within the interior, starting the moment you open the door. Trim strips with Seaside lettering and two white stripes beckon occupants into the cabin. Curiously, Mini has chosen to trim the seats in Carbon Black leather, not a lighter shade, but it still works.

Decorative trim strips with model-specific patterns adorn the fascia and uplift the dark dashboard. The floor mats are also unique to the Seaside model, and so is the edition-specific badging.

The Seaside Edition is based on the Iconic trim. The limited variant receives a Touchscreen Navigation Package, which includes Apple CarPlay, and a heated Nappa leather-trimmed steering wheel with Seaside Edition inlays. Buyers can choose from several options, including a Harman Kardon sound system, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats.

Being a Cooper S, the Seaside Edition is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 189 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque. That may not sound like much, but remember, the Mini is a compact featherweight and moves with gusto. Buyers can opt for the quick-acting dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual, which returned with the updated 2024 model year.

So what does all of this cost? Mini has priced the special edition from $45,460 (excl. destination fee) before options. It's expensive, but then again, people are willing to pay copious amounts of money for limited-edition models. Interestingly, the US-spec Seaside Edition is rarer than the Europe-only Cooper SE Convertible, limited to 999 units.

With features like 100% fully recycled alloy wheels, it's a shame the electric drop-top wasn't destined for the States. The Seaside Edition is a decent consolation prize, though.