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First Drive: MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.

First Drive: MINI One Convertible
The MINI One Convertible is for those who prefer to top up their tans quite slowly.

   



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| First Drive | Oxford, England | MINI One Convertible |

The last time we drive a MINI Convertible it was in the Alps, wearing a massive puffer jacket, a pair of gloves and a woolly hat. Here we try it in more apt circumstances: in its cheapest form and in the English countryside, subjecting our pasty skin to a dose of embarrassing sunburn.

In the Metal

The second generation MINI Convertible is a much better resolved shape than the first, largely because the rear no longer features those ugly exterior boot brackets.

As usual, you'll have to get going with the options list to stop your MINI One looking like an estate agent's advertising hoarding; even as a £15,000 convertible, the basic One still comes with steel wheels as standard.

What you get for your Money

Black plastic wing mirrors, plastic wheel trims over steel wheels, cloth seats and a dashboard bereft of much colour marks the One out as a basic car. It does get air conditioning and, of course, the electric cloth hood that opens or closes at speeds of up to 20mph.

Then it's up to you and the options list. To help you out, MINI bundles some of them together (the conspicuous salt and pepper packs), or you can go Burger King - have it your way. It's about £1,500 cheaper than the Cooper, so bear that in mind before you go mental with your quill in the dealership.

Driving it

In some respects the MINI One Convertible is about as close to an actual go-kart as anything in the range: it has no roof, very little equipment and very little power. The One offers all the kudos and sunshiny fun you'd expect, but with a distinct lack of poke.

Drive comes from the new 1.6-litre petrol engine that's just gone into the One hatchback too. It's got a not unreasonable 98bhp, but tall gearing means it needs to be absolutely thrashed to feel anything other than underpowered. The exhaust note is incongruously fruity mind, which is nice, but there's just too much gear changing to do.

The other issue the Convertible has is wind buffeting, especially at higher speeds. A benefit is that you'll never be able to hear people laughing at your windswept coiffure.

Elsewhere the One Convertible is perfectly pleasant, with a quite supple ride, sound ergonomics and that classy, well-built feel that all MINIs have.

Worth Noting

It would make a lot of sense for MINI to bring out a diesel version of the Convertible. This version's mpg and CO2 stats are reasonable for an 'aspirational' convertible, at 49.6mpg and 133g/km, but a diesel could feasibly push it into 'free to tax' territory. It would also be a more relaxed car to drive because of its low-down torque advantage. We asked the question, but BMW wouldn't be drawn. However, watch this space...

Summary

The MINI One Convertible's shortfalls - lack of pace, rear space and respect for your beautifully sculpted hair - make it easier to criticise than recommend. However, it's still a charming car, and one very capable of satisfying those that only want their open top shenanigans to be stylish and cheap to run.

Mark Nichol - 4 Jun 2010



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2010 MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.2010 MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.2010 MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.2010 MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.2010 MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.

2010 MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.2010 MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.2010 MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.2010 MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.


2010 MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.
 

2010 MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.
 

2010 MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.
 

2010 MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.
 

2010 MINI One Convertible. Image by MINI.
 






 

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