Mini Cooper chilli packs some cool

The Chilli pack has proven popular in enhancing the fixed-hardtop Mini models so now it also becomes a choice on the Mini Cabrio.

With the arrival of spring, there is more interest again in convertibles. Mini is announcing the Cabrio Chilli to tempt buyers from going into rival showrooms - because it won't be available on sale until December.

Still, that's in time for the summer holidays. Or a nice Christmas present. The Chilli version is available in both mainstream Mini Cabrio models, the Mini Cooper with 85kW of power from its 1.6-litre engine and the 125kWMini Cooper S, where that engine is supercharged. On the Mini Cooper Cabrio, the Chilli package adds a choice of cloth or leather seat facings, multi-function leather-wrap steering wheel, cockpit chrono pack, 16-inch diameter light-alloy wheels, exterior highlight kit, front fog lights and velour mats.

On the supercharged Mini Cooper S Cabrio, the Chilli pack gives the cloth and leather seat cover choices, the sports leather-clad steering wheel, 17-inch light-alloy wheels, xenon headlights, automatic climate-control airconditioning and heating, cockpit chrono pack, a premium sound system and velour floor mats.

The Mini Cooper Cabrio Chilli will be priced from $41,000 and the Cooper S Cabrio Chilli from $50,100. The regular Cooper Carbio five-speed manual is $37,500 and the Cooper S Cabrio six-speed manual at $46,500 - plus $1800 for a CVT graded as a six-speed automatic. The Mini Cabrio has become a main part of Mini's sales success here, selling more than 1000 Cabrios in less than 20 months since its launch at the start of last year.

And this is despite supply being limited as the BMW-owned factory in Oxford, England tries to meet high world demand.

* A red Mini, meanwhile, is bringing smiles to people using postage stamps and receiving mail right now. Australia Post has a Driving Through the Years special issue to commemorate the centenary of the first driving licence to be issued in Australia. One of the six iconic cars in the series is a red Mini from the 1960s.