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By Jonathan Crouch

The MINI Convertible is as engaging as ever in this fourth generation F67 form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 52

It's pretty hard to take exception to MINI's fourth generation Convertible. Smarter and more tech-savvy than before, it's as fun and youthful as ever - as well as now being fully British-built. And launched with a range of revvy combustion power plants as a kind of car that every MINI should be.

Backgroundword count: 280

We think of the MINI Convertible as something of a British institution. Perhaps even more so with this F67 fourth generation version because, unlike its Dutch-built F57 predecessor, it's put together in Oxford. In fact though, the concept of open-topped MINI motoring is primarily an invention of BMW, rather than the British motor industry. Yes, there were drop-top variants of the original Alec Issigonis design, but these were largely the work of specialist coachbuilders. Only in the final years of the early version did Rover commission a short production run of Mini Convertibles and even then, only 300 were sold. BMW had no such reticence when it came to the idea of a cabrio model and shortly after the new generation MINI model's launch at the turn of the century, the first proper Convertible version joined the range in 2004. This car, known as the R52 series model in MINI circles, proved hugely successful, quickly accounting for over 20% of all MINI sales, with over 164,000 examples sold over a production run that lasted until 2009. The R57 series MK2 design that replaced it was equally well received, as was the F57 MK3 model of 2015. That even spawned a limited-run all-electric version (in 2023), but since the Oxford plant is yet to set up for making EVs going forward, we'll have to wait a little for the inevitable future F67 drop-top EV variant. It won't be many years though, before we get all the MINI EVs we can take. This fourth-generation combustion MINI Convertible will, in contrast, be possibly be one of the very last fossil-fuelled MINI models the brand brings us. Let's take a closer look at it.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 274

There's a slight performance deficit over the hatch due to the extra 40kg added by the fabric roof and its electrically-folding mechanism. That roof is much as before and takes 18 seconds to rise and 15 seconds to close at speeds of up to 19mph. While opening, the window bars and side windows are lowered to provide a completely unobstructed view of the surroundings. As previously, you can partially drop the top (by 40cms) to mimic a sunroof. And there's a wind deflector to reduce buffeting. There's no EV version (yet) and the engines, which of course are carried over from the Cooper Hatch, are also broadly carried over from the previous generation model. What has changed is that you can no longer get a manual gearbox: all models now have to have dual clutch auto transmission. The base Cooper Convertible C has a BMW-sourced turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 163hp and 250Nm of torque, making 62mph in 8.2s en route to 137mph. The alternative Cooper Convertible S is rated at 204hp and 300Nm and makes 62mph in 6.9s en route to 147mph. If you want to go faster, ask your dealer about the top Convertible John Cooper Works variant, which offers more power (231hp) from the same 2.0-litre engine, plus enjoys bigger brakes and revised suspension. It makes 62mph in just 6.4s. Across the range, to disguise the commonality beneath the bonnet, the brand has introduced seven so-called 'MINI Experience' modes - 'Core', 'Green', 'Go-kart', 'Personal', 'Vibrant', 'Timeless' and 'Balance'. As the names suggest, these do a lot more than just affect steering feel and throttle response, altering cabin colours and graphics.

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