If the three-door Mini sticks diligently to Alec Issigonis’s primitive concept, starting with the collected forms and the absence of rear access, the canvas roof does not distance the most famous Englishman from the groove of continuity. Giving it, if anything, a slightly more playful spirit. Low height, urban-style length (3.88 m) and crucial finishing touches: the chrisms of the formal conception remain unchanged, as does the body partly taken from the previous generation. The Charismatic Simplicity language, however, is ingrained in the recipe, evident in the revised front (octagonal grille, new light clusters, clean, geometric bumper) and above all in the cabin, dominated by the essential dashboard with 24 cm circular instrumentation.
‘Inspired by history, we have given each new model a strong character through simple, minimalist styling cues, intuitively centred on the core elements of the brand,’ said Oliver Heilmer, head of Mini design at that time, in 2023. The Convertible now confirms that direction, replicating three of the saloon’s four powertrain-independent trims. The Classic is joined by the sophisticated Favoured, enriched with details in the golden shade Vibrant Silver and a beige or Nightshade blue faux leather interior, and the John Cooper Works with much more aggressive bumpers, miniskirts, bonnet sticker stripes, dedicated wheels and red stitching upholstery.
For all of them, the same dark convertible top settles into the boot in 18 seconds under 30 km/h, but can also become a ‘sunroof’ thanks to the 40 cm sliding of the front portion alone, unfortunately lacking a wind deflector. The canvas is not available in colours other than black, despite the twelve exterior colours (including the launch Copper Grey), but it can bear an optional Union Jack in light grey on its surface. The motif inspired by the British flag also illuminates the rear light clusters, otherwise identical in shape to their predecessors, drawing a pattern that mimics the pseudo-triangular cut proposed on the latest edition of the hatchback sibling.
‘We are convinced that the conscious reduction to a few, but expressive elements allows for unthinkable innovations,’ said Heilmer. Certainly, especially in terms of freshness and technology. But the convertible, which turned two decades old last year and is now being produced again at the Oxford plant, undoubtedly represents a modern open-top tradition.
