So what does an Average Jane know about cars? This Average Jane knows, that that one is white, and that one there, is red. So when we were invited to test drive the New MINI Convertible collection in Lisbon last week, we thought we would write it real. An Average Janes car review.
The MINI Convertible: she’s smooth, she’s sassy and she’s powerful. Just like every Jane.
MINI Convertible: our review
Find out below what we thought of the brand new MINI Convertible range.
The Facts
With nearly 30,000 previous MINI Convertible models sold from 2011-2015, MINI are the best-selling convertible in UK.
This comes as no surprise when you think about its legendary heritage. The sassy colours and gorgeous build – whether vintage or new, a MINI is a sexy car.
The all-new MINI swerved into the car industry back in 2001 and since then they just continue to bring more and more to the motoring scene. The newest MINI Convertible range is more dynamic, stylish, practical and refined than ever before. It has an alluring sporty elegance (just like us when we run – gazelles), practical yet pretty.
Four new cars will be on the forecourt from March 2016: the MINI Cooper Convertible, MINI Cooper D Convertible, MINI Cooper S Convertible and the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible, in a range of stunning colours, including brand new Caribbean Aqua and Melting Silver.
All available to ecstatically buy from £18,475 on the road.
The Drive
We put the MINI Cooper S Convertible to the test. Cruising around the Portuguese coast with the roof down, it was clear that this is a very, very nice car. Comfortable seats with bottom-warming technology (no, you haven’t peed your pants) and an extending leg rest to prevent numb-bum (totally worked!), we simply melted back and enjoyed the ride. The steering feels like it’s reading your mind and with easy, fast acceleration – and quick, but gentle breaking – the MINI Cooper S quite simply puts the joy in ‘joy ride’.
The circular central display screen provides smart GPS, Bluetooth technology that hooks up your phone contacts and playlists. It has a great sound system, that’s still loud enough to distil (and drown out) your best Beyoncé rendition, even with the roof open.
A rear view camera with clever parking distance control means no little back bumps and makes reverse parking, well, basically delightful. (We are obviously pros at it anyway, right?!)
The Roof (and gadgets galore)
The most important element of any convertible is obviously its roof! Fully electric and recommended to use all year round (we’re good weather optimists), the roof has the best heat and acoustic insulation. Activated by a classic MINI gadget-y button, you don’t even need to stop the car! It’s quieter than ever before and the roof can be opened in just 18 seconds flat. For those pesky British freak-rain-spells, it can also be closed in just 18 seconds too! Helpful in both time, and hairstyle saving.
Further-hairstyle saving technology is the amazing wind deflector that removes that windy-hair-whip you so often get travelling a-la-roof-down. Allowing you to enjoy the MINI Convertible’s best perk: that open air feeling. A Bridget Jones headscarf accessory is therefore completely optional, and not a necessity.
The MINI ‘Always Open’ campaign sets to promote the wellness experience the open-top feature offers. Encouraging us to experience the journey, not just the destination *insert your own inspirational Instagram quote here*. So soak up the vitamin D, get a whiff of the fresh open air, whack on the tunes and enjoy the ride.
We packed the boot with three medium-sized bags with the roof down, and there was plenty of room for one more…and a party hamper of Prosecco. So rally up the girls, this is the perfect size for a weekend road trip.
The MINI Convertible has all your much-needed devices, a gorgeous gadget filled dashboard with a super simple Start/Stop button, and no keys needed.
Try it out
So there you have it. We strongly recommend you get into gear and to your nearest MINI dealer, like yesterday, for a test drive.
Where do we sign?
What do you think of the new MINI Convertible range?
Share your thoughts with us – @tweetjanes.