The Mazda MX-5's only rival? | MINI Convertible review

Опубликовано 20 сентября 2022, 16:03

Can the MINI Cooper S Convertible dethrone the Mazda MX-5?

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The third-generation MINI Convertible just oozes style, with a big personality and a quality feel that's hard to beat. It received a facelift in 2018, adopting standard LED headlights, Union Flag rear lights, new daytime running lights, fresh paint and wheel options and an improved sat-nav screen, while a further refresh in 2021 brought in additional styling tweaks and extra standard kit. As ever, owners have the opportunity to choose from a range of custom options, such as puddle lights, mirror caps, bonnet stripes and inserts for the side indicators

Direct rivals for the sporty MINI are few and far between, but there are quite a few contenders for sporty open-air enthusiasts that arguably range from two-seaters like the Mazda MX-5, through to fashionable style-led models like the Fiat 500C convertible. The Fiat only has roll-back roof panels of course, while the MINI and others are full convertibles, which are definitely more fun on a warm day – for those who enjoy such things, at least.

The MINI Convertible comes in three versions – Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works. As with the MINI hatchback range, the standard Cooper is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with 134bhp, while the Cooper S and JCW use a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 176bhp and 228bhp respectively. The Mazda MX-5 is the most successful convertible sports car of all time, and in this video, we find out if the MINI Cooper S JCW Convertible has the best chance of beating it.

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