YOU'VE got to hand it to us Brits - if there's a glimmer of summer sun, the table and chairs are out, the barbie's being lit and the shorts are on.
And we take the same outdoor-approach with our cars. Nowhere in Europe - including the sun-baked Mediterranean countries - are drop-tops more popular. We just love to snatch every opportunity for a blast of fresh air - which is why the recent trend towards folding hardtops has broadened the appeal of convertibles.
The Nissan Micra Coupe Cabriolet is one of the latest in a longish list of coupes that have gone the folding metal roof route to open air motoring. It was originally pioneered by Mercedes with their SLK and later followed up by Renault who brought out the Megane CC. Like the Renault, the Micra has a glass lid that comes with sun blinds to hide from the rays when required. The top folds neatly, at the touch of button, into the boot.
Nissan say their new baby is a 2+2 but in reality it is best regarded as a two seater with extra luggage room. It does have belts and seats in the back but they are only of use for short journeys and small children.
The boot is massive when the roof is in place, being able to absorb almost 460 litres of luggage. Obviously this is drastically reduced when the top is lowered into the space.
The top line Essenza with 1.6-litre 110bhp engine costs £15,250 but the range kicks off with the 1.4-litre, 88bhp Urbis version at £13,250.
When you go shopping for a convertible you must consciously decide whether you want an out-and-out sports car or merely a saloon with no lid. The Micra fundamentally falls into the latter category, but that doesn't mean it's no fun.
Unlike some of its rivals, it is a whizz to drive - mainly because the tin-top on which it is based has great handling and a good choice of spirited, free-revving engines. Little torsional rigidity has been sacrificed in the conversion to convertible and the extra weight of the folding roof hasn't blunted the performance.
In fact the 1.6 is really zippy and endows the cheeky looking two-door with grown-up performance - it hits sixty in ten seconds and will top 119mph. The five speed gearbox is slick and steering is pin-sharp giving the driver maximum feed-back.
Despite its toy-town looks, the Micra is one of the most rewarding small coupes to drive. It also ticks the right box when it comes to economy - I got around 40mpg and the official combined figure is 42.2mpg.
Designed in Bedfordshire and built in Sunderland, it is a truly homegrown product and shares only the front wings, bonnet and basic platform with the Micra hatch. With cast iron reliability and plenty of character as well as a punchy performance, the sun is definitely shining on the Coupe Cabriolet.
FAST FACTS
Nissan Micra C+C 1.6 Essenza 2dr
Price: £15,250
Mechanical: 110bhp, 1,598cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels, via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 119mph
0-62mph: 10.6 secs
Combined mpg: 42.2
Insurance group: 6
CO2 emissions: 160g/km
BiK rating: 19%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 6yrs anti-rust