MINI lifts lid on new cabriolet

Undisguised car was spied on test, and it gets similar styling updates to latest hatch, as well as same engine choices

With the hatchback already on sale and the Clubman estate due to arrive in showrooms early next year, the drop-top will be the third model to join the second-generation MINI line-up. As you can see from these images – which were taken as the car was put through its paces in Germany – the newcomer follows in the footsteps of the outgoing Convertible. That means the firm continues to shun the trend for complex folding metal tops in fav­our of a traditional canvas hood. Once again, the mechanism will be fully automatic, with no need for the driver to release any catches in order to raise or lower the lid. And the set-up will also incorporate an electrically operated sunroof – which, as you can see from our pictures, rolls the top back to just behind the heads of front seat occupants. Unlike metal-roofed rivals such as the Peugeot 207 CC, the MINI doesn’t have a rakish windscreen. That will mean the Con­vert­ible will continue to offer owners impressive forward visibility, plus the kind of exposed open-top feel associated with a traditional convertible. However, judging by these photographs, rearward visibility will still be problematic. The back pillars are just as thick as on the current car, which means over-the-shoulder vision may be compromised. That’s why parking sensors will come as standard. Nevertheless, the model looks as good as ever, with a neat rectangular rear window that has rounded edges. Certain paint schemes will be offered with optional colour-coded canvas for owners who want an alter­native to the standard black fabric. And while the soft-top is in place in the car in our pictures, it appears to have pop-up roll-over hoops, rather than the current model’s fixed set-up. As for engine options, the Convert­ible will come with the same line-up as the latest hatchback. That means a 1.4-litre petrol for the One, a 1.6 for the Cooper and a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol motor for the top-of-the-range Cooper S. Diesel buyers will be able to choose the Cooper D, with a 1.6-litre oil-burner. All will be avail­able with manual or auto gearboxes. The car is set to debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show, with sales kicking off in the summer. Prices will start from around £14,000 for the One.