IT'S hardly surprising the MINI has been such a resounding success. It has to be one of of the best thought-out car concepts in modern automotive history.
To me it equals its BMW stablemate the 3 Series in providing what the motoring public want at the right time.
In truth it is really not like the traditional Mini at all. The little Issigonis front-wheel-drive cheapie car that the world took to heart was a totally different animal to today's offering
When it was announced that BMW was launching a new MINI, many fans of the original cult car felt that the much lauded new model could only be a shadow of the car they loved.
But how wrong they were. When the new MINI was unveiled the market reaction was amazing. Nostalgic styling cues were there aplenty, but what we saw was a whole new view of small cars.
It was almost as if the old Mini had been subjected to a futuristic transformer programme and had become elegantly muscular. It exudes BMW quality through and through.
Its residual values are amazing and the fact that these cars do not seem to deteriorate in any major way is a tribute not only to the designers and manufacturing company but to the team at Oxford who build it.
Some models hardly lost any money for some time and indeed, the new MINI has become THE small car to be seen in.
The next stage in the development was the convertible, which is available in One, Cooper and Cooper S guises for between £13,300 and £17,600, or about £2,500 more than the tin-top.
It features a sophisticated fabric roof which cleverly retracts to create a sunroof or fully folds to be nearly concealed in the boot .
I recently drove the nippy Cooper S Convertible which ups the ante on the Cooper package with extra 'oomph' to match the needle sharp steering and powerful brakes
Although the interior is very much design-led with retro features such as the large central speedo of the original Issigonis design, it is very functional.
However, the rev counter perched in front of the wheel like the old ones we used to bolt on to Minis is taking the 60s thinking a bit too far. It would have looked better integrated into the dash.
If there is a problem with this car it is that the boot will only hold a small load. Hood operation is simple with a rapid electric mechanism.
Although the car is fairly stiff structurally there is some scuttle shake on bumpy roads. Strong points are superb build and a wonderful driving experience. But I do think that the hatch is the better looker.
FAST FACTS
MINI Cooper S Convertible
Price: £17,595
Mechanical: 170bhp, 1,598cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 134mph
0-62mph: 7.4 secs
Combined mpg: 32.1
Insurance group: 16
CO2 emissions: 211g/km
BiK rating: 29%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage; 6yrs paint; 6yrs anti-rust