Just as the British summer time is over and with a few days to go before Autumn is officially declared Mini has decided its the right time to launch a new convertible version of the Mini Hatch. Inevitably its called the Mini Convertible… and its… new. The reason for the un-timed launch, at least for UK buyers, is really aimed at international markets where the climate is permanently sunny, think California, think plenty of buyers. The New Mini Convertible will have a three car line-up from launch  MINI Cooper Convertible, MINI Cooper D Convertible, MINI Cooper S Convertible, all quite logical. Mini make a lot of money from customers who like to spec the hell of their new cars but standard equipment is unusually generous even by Mini standards. Included for free is MINI Visual Boost Radio, MINI Connected, Bluetooth, Rear Parking Distance Control and Rear Reversing Camera. It’s probably costed into the unit price but we like to give Mini the benefit of our considerable doubt. The turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder and 2.0-litre four-cylinder , direct fuel petrol engines from the hatch are carried over to the Mini Cooper Convertible and Mini Cooper S Convertible The 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine in the MiniCooper D Convertible features turbocharging with variable intake geometry and common rail direct injection. Which means more power, smoother delivery and better efficiency. Options include lighting packages, colour Lines and Chrome Lines, trim, for the interior and much more besides, this is Mini afterall. The option we like best are not the 18-inch alloy wheels but the new Union Jack woven fabric convertible roof. The Mini Convertible is scheduled to go on sale in March 2016 with prices set to start at £18,000 GBP.