For all the recent trials and tribulations at the Cowley Mini plant, sometimes it is easy to forget that the core product is an excellent car. The ‘new’ Mini is, in fact, almost eight years old.

But after its facelift phased in last year, it remains as fresh and cheeky as it did when it first rolled off the production line at a time when no-one’ including parent firm BMW had any idea about how successful it would be.

The Mini has more than proved itself over the last few years’ but with the severe downturn in the motoring industry’ to which Cowley has not proved immune, hopes are being pinned on the latest model to hit the streets.

The Convertible, which was launched at the end of last month, plugs a yawning gap in the Mini line-up. The previous model was discontinued last summer and BMW management have continually pointed to the fact that without it, sales have suffered.

Sales would have suffered anyway in the current climate, but losing a model which sold 164,000 cars worldwide undoubtedly had an impact. Now the rag top is back and, hopefully, we are in for a decent summer which will encourage people to go out and buy it.

If I had the choice of buying any Mini, then without doubt, I would let my heart rule my head and choose the Convertible.

Anyone who thought the fun had gone out of motoring should order a test drive, because this car will put a smile back on your face, whatever the weather.

The roof collapses at the touch of a button in just 15 seconds and can go half way to form an extended sunroof, or all the way back to be stored neatly behind the seats.

One of BMW’s little slogans is that the car should be ‘always open’, and I would agree, although a dismal wet day in the midst of a British winter may deter me.

I tested both the Cooper and Cooper S versions and, predictably, it is the ‘S’ that really appeals.

The Cooper’s performance is good but you really have to use the gearbox hard to get the most out of the engine. But the ‘S’ performs superbly, with the added benefit of the turbocharged 1.6 litre engine that whizzes to 62mph in 7.4 seconds.

Of course it feels a lot faster with the roof down, and push a button on the dashboard which boosts the revs and throttle response still further, and you feel like you are flying.

And if you want to go even faster, a John Cooper Works version is available and worth taking to a race track to truly appreciate the handling charactersistics.

Back in the ‘S,’ a lovely throaty roar comes from the exhaust and the slick six-speed gearbox is easy to manage while the ‘go-kart’ handling on which Mini has built its reputation has been improved, if anything, with the new, stiffer bodyshell.

It flicks through corners delightfully before powering down the next straight at full tilt. Care has to be taken to keep the car constrained, as it is quite possible to exceed the legal speed limit without realising it.

And you can do that almost comfortably with the roof down, although I would advise investing in the wind deflector which slots behind the rear seats, as this reduces buffeting and prevents any loose items from flying out of the cabin.

Another extra feature is the Openometer which measures how much time you have had the roof down, which seems an unnecessary investment at £115.

More useful is that the roll bars, so prominent on the old model, have been removed and replaced with a fully-automated system, improving rear visibility, although that is still not great.

As far as comfort is concerned, the seats are good and leg room in the front is adequate.

Of course, it is cramped in the rear, as with any convertible, although BMW has improved storage space by five litres. But effectively for long distances it is a two-seater, so just chuck your suitcases in the back and go.

About 8,000 open top models will be built in Oxford this year and the early signs are that sales will be good.

Watch out for a Convertible flying past you one day soon, and catch one if you can.

Model: Mini Cooper S Convertible Performance: 0-62mph: 7.4 secs, top speed 138mph Economy: 44.1mpg (combined) CO2: 153g/km Price: £18,995 Web: www.mini.co.uk