BMW tweaks Mini convertible

The Mini story has been one of huge success for BMW, and the German firm is confident that its fashion icon of Britishness will continue to go from strength to strength.

Sales in Ireland were up over 150 per cent in the early months of the year, despite the fact the car has changed little since its reintroduction several years ago. However, come the summer sunshine and come the soft-top and the Oxford-based firm is using the introduction of its new rag-top Mini to also do some minor tweaking to the face of the car, with a new chrome strip on the front and new styling for the centre dial.

The biggest change is undoubtedly the roof, which opens at the touch of a button, without any need to remove clips or get involved in the intricate origami skills of competitors such as the Ford Streetka.

In the glorious sunshine of the south of France, it was hard to test the weather resistance of the roof, even driving with the hood up was a challenge. Yet there was little intrusion when cocooned under the thick layers of canvas and it also features a glass rear window to add to the solidity.

Roof down and the hood folds above the rear boot in about the same speed as a traffic light goes from red to green.

As to how the open shell affects the car's handling and performance, while the car's now 100kg heavier due to the extra metal used to strengthen the chassis, we managed to dally along at motorway speeds without problem and there was little in the way of wind scuttle.

The soft-top will only be available on petrol models, the diesel being judged too pedestrian for the sporty looks. Prices are expect to start at around €25,000 and it will go on sale from the end of June.

However, Mini still faces some challenges ahead, despite the current halycon days for which the convertible was undoubtedly designed to continue.

As iconic as the brand has become, and as sales continue to grow exponentially as it enters new markets around the globe, senior managers must be contemplating the long-term strategy for the brand, and how to turn the model into a fully-fledged marque.

Questions on this to Mini personnel brings forth comments on how Porsche survives largely on its 911.

Yet there's also hints that the future may hold several other interesting derivatives, most notably some format of funky off-roader. But everyone is remaining tight-lipped about the future for now, preferring to roll back the roof and bask in the sunshine of summer sun and rising sales.