It has never been cheap, the question whether inexpensive, you'll have to find out for yourself. The Mini is a lifestyle product. The buys one not to save money but rather to spend it with pleasure. That it only rarely ends up near the top in a comparative test, seems to it completely irrelevant. Of course, that applies in particular for the new convertible.

And yet changes are to notice at the Mini. It has almost completely emancipated from the mother BMW. In addition the pride of the British nation (see convertible top with woven Union Jack), to be allowed to produce it furthermore. But it happens even more with it. Whether one regrets it or not, but the youthful lightheartedness up to the indicated cheekiness is gone.

The most visible it was on the exhibition stand of Mini during the IAA in Frankfurt this year. No longer the many 'cool' ideas predominated, but a bit the atmosphere of a noble boutique. One could it formulate neutral: The Mini has grown up. In the styling it's still not so clear, but in its surroundings. Gone are the days where you were treated to an espresso at Mini and felt 20 years younger.

Enough chattered. The time had come, also the convertible to convert finally to the new form. It has remained one hand with the unavoidable windowless rear sides, but also with the wonderful idea, instead of a full convertible to drive with sliding roof also as the only of its kind. Whether that is registered by the Always Open Timer as open-top driving also?

The external dimensions are the same as the of the Mini One. As engines there are only the slightly more expensive Cooper models at the moment. Additional 4,000 euros extra charge are to expect. A taut and agile chassis (go-kart feeling) is included in this basic price. The manufacturer describes it as the only premium convertible in the compact car segment.

Of course, the performance has to suffer by the missing roof. Approximately 120 kg have been added. In addition a deteriorated CW value by about 20 percent, not only a disadvantage for the top speed. And the puristic Mini Roadster probably will also not be in the new series. 11/15