LIVE24SEVEN // Motoring, Sport & Entertainment
Stay Open THE NEW MINI CONVERTIBLE IS BACK
With a thirst for more thrills. With a sleeker design, go-kart handling and smart technology, it’s ready for next-level open-air adventure.
On a hot sunny day I picked up my test car from Rybrook MINI in Stratford Upon Avon which is part of the Rybrook Group, a locally based dealer group which is dedicated to delivering a genuinely first class service. The team of specialists at Stratford and Worcester have a vast knowledge of the MINI brand - both sales and service, and can offer genuine honest advice on all things MINI. They also have on hand a team of MINI geniuses to answer any queries that you may have about MINI.
In line with their five-star customer service standards I was greeted by Dan who helpfully conducted a detailed handover of the car, demonstrating the many gadgets this car boasts!
THE INTERIOR The third generation MINI looks superb inside, the interior just gets better and better. It feels plusher and more luxurious than ever, with high quality materials and switch gear dominating. My test car featured MINI Yours leather lounge seats in carbon black, their prestigious characteristics emphasized by an eye-catching seam and a Union Jack design artfully incorporated on the back of the head rests. The seats adjusted easily to enable the most comfortable of driving positions and came with a heated seat option which thankfully in the 26 degrees heat was not required! The traditional circular theme for the instruments has been maintained, but the layout has been improved. The speedometer and rev counter are now in front of you and the large circular screen in the centre of the dashboard is used solely for the infotainment system. Standard kit across the range includes climate control, cruise control, sat-nav, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, keyless start and air-con. The interior lighting options were good, I particularly liked the MINI logo projection option which displays a beam of light from the driver side mirror to great you as you enter the car. What a welcome back from your own car!
THE EXTERIOR Being a MINI image and styling is one thing that’s guaranteed, personalised options will keep the most fashion conscious of
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WITH THE ELECTRIC ROOF DOWN, NOTHING WILL GET IN THE WAY OF YOUR 3600
M VIEW.
drivers very happy. My test car was a real head turner being specified in Caribbean Aqua Metallic exterior, a lovely colour option. The twin exhausts and 17” cosmos spoke alloy wheels in black gave the car a great sporty look. With the roof down in the sunshine the car looked amazing, a little boy walked past with his parents whilst I was stationary and said; “Look at that MINI dad” he had a huge grin on his face which was rather similar to mine driving it.
THE ROOF The folding fabric roof has been redesigned and is a breeze to operate, folding fully down electronically in 18 seconds and at speeds of up to 18mph. You can do this remotely when the car is parked too.
The roof is a 3-in-1 convertible roof, it can be up, down or used as a sunroof, opening a gap of around 40 cm to let in the breeze. It's also now available in a MINI Yours Union Jack design in black and grey at an additional cost of just £ 490. The car sports a useful new Rain Warner feature, which is part of the MINI Connected XL option. This app, once downloaded will send a text to your phone 20 minutes ahead of a storm so you can put the roof up on your car which I think would be most welcome for any convertible car owner…the smartest kind of weather proofing.
The MINI Convertible Always Open Timer displays the amount of time driven with the roof down to make keeping track of your thrills a breeze, funnily my daughter most liked this feature!
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