My dealer confirmed to me today that it will be early to mid 2009 before it starts to be shipped. Production of the existing model will halt the end of 2008 and supplies of the old model will be used up and the order books open for the new model.
Wow thats quite a long time to wait, why is it taking them so long? Surely its just taking the R56 mini and putting the roof from the old shape mini cabriolet on it, there not actually designing a whole new car here.