MY luck with soft tops is normally lamentable, so when the MINI One Convertible turned up on the drive eyes were turned to the heavens in search of the inevitable rain clouds.
But for once the weather gods decided to smile and the roof came down – much to the delight of the kids - and indeed their parents.
The MINI has long been one of the nippers’ favourite cars and to have the chance to sit in one where fresh air comes as standard was a real treat.
This excitement was undiminished by my daughter being unable to see anything as her hair was constantly blown over her eyes and both kids having to put up with a decided lack of leg room in the back.
In fact the rear seats make more sense as a luggage area than for passengers – especially as the tiny 125-litre boot is suitable only for small bags.
Up front though there are none of these problems so scooting along the nation’s roads on a warm sunny summer’s day is one of life’s pleasures.
And it is an affordable luxury as the car has a respectable price-tag thanks to MINI’s decision to provide a much lower entry point for convertible fans.
Previously it was only possible to purchase a MINI Cooper, Cooper S or John Cooper Works Convertible at a bit more than the £14,985 the One soft top will set you back.
As with every MINI though the chance to personalise the One Convertible means that most will end up costing a bit more – but it is all part of the fun.
It may be the entry-level model but this doesn’t mean the car lacks for equipment as there’s air conditioning for when the roof’s up and a decent audio system.
Safety features are plentiful and include stability control, four airbags, electro-mechanical steering and a rear rollover bar behind the back seats that pops up automatically in the event of an accident.
The electro-hydraulic opening of the fabric roof – possible at speeds up to 20mph – is a 15-second gala performance guaranteed to stop people in their tracks as they watch poetry in motion at the push of a button.
The model was designed as a convertible from the word go so offers a stiff body and a multi-link rear suspension set-up that ensures the excellent handling characteristics boasted by normal MINIs.
The ride is relatively firm so you do tend to feel the bigger humps and hollows littering our roads – but by and large it is a comfortable and engaging motor to drive.
As well as being relatively cheap to buy, this MINI is pretty inexpensive to run thanks to the 1.6-litre Valvetronic engine that is also fitted in its Hatch and Clubman cousins.
The 98bhp power unit produces enough zip to ensure a speedy start when the lights go green and accelerates from 0-62mph in 11.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 112mph.
The performance is not at the expense of fuel efficiency however as average consumption is pretty good for a convertible at almost 50mpg and carbon dioxide emissions are relatively low.
It is clear the more affordable MINI One Convertible is a useful weapon in the British-made brand’s armoury and is expected to be its best-selling open-air model.
FAST FACTS
MINI One Convertible
Price: £14,985
Mechanical: 98bhp, 1,598cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox
News | Road tests | Buying advice | Views | Special reports | Manufacturers | Used cars | New cars | Book an Ad | Dealers
