No Sunny Option

At the Tokyo Motor ShowWorld Premiereand began domestic sales in March, the new "MINI Convertible" will feature the "UK WEATHER Package" as an option. This is an optional equipment that allows you to drive while experiencing the current weather of British cities like London, Birmingham, and Oxford, in addition to enjoying the open-air drive with the exterior air.

When the MINI-WEATHER-CONNECTED is activated, it replicates British weather inside the car as RAINY (rain), FOGGY (fog), or STORMY (thunder) by using weather information API data.

In RAINY mode, the Air Conditioning Unit (ACU) creates artificial rain clouds by adjusting the interior temperature, humidity, air pressure, and airflow, simulating rainfall. For FOGGY mode, a fog generation unit linked with the air conditioning system produces steam mist particles, bringing the atmosphere of foggy London to the cabin. In STORMY mode, ambient lighting with flashing effects and a low-frequency woofer reproduce thunder. You can experience the British storms, said to herald spring, while driving.

Due to the possibility of rain and other conditions, the UK Weather package includes waterproof seats and steering wheel. Naturally, the tires are rain-spec, and powerful LED fog lamps are included to prepare for dense fog. Furthermore, a weather forecast function is added to the head-up display to prepare for sudden weather changes.

To cope with the famously sudden British weather changes, the options include a MINI Design Umbrella, a MINI Design Raincoat, and MINI UK Design Teacups for the driver and passengers.

Big Fool, the lead developer, stated, "In the IoT era where everything is connected, the automotive world is no exception. Cars are constantly evolving. However, we believe there are things that should not be lost. Respecting the place of origin is one of them." Regarding the absence of a sunny setting, he concluded, "When we faithfully reproduced British weather, it wasn't necessary."

The UK WEATHER Package will be available for ¥32 (including tax) starting April 1st. For details, please visit the special page (http://mini.jp/ukweather/index.html?WT.mc_id=mjp_d_P_april1st_8).