The new Mini Cooper convertible burst out of a block of ice Sunday at the Detroit auto show at its unveiling, top down, even though it was barely 20 degrees outside. This was one of the neater introductions at the 2009 North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center, which was well heated, perhaps even overheated. The blocks of ice were actually thin plastic boxes not unlike what you use to store out-of-season clothes. The Mini convertible arrives two years after Mini updated its sibling hardtop. Look for it in March starting at $24,550. Each will be equipped with an Openmeter, a readout that displays how many hours the car has been driven with the top down. The cloth top can be retracted at up to 20 mph and the rollover hoops are now pop-ups rather than fixed in place, for an even more open feel. Since Mini is part of the tech-conscious BMW Group, you'll be able to order one with navigation, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and of course an iPod adapter. Mini was the biggest sales success story of 2008 with a U.S. volume increase of 29%, mostly thanks for the Mini Clubman, the one with a real back seat.