Birthday presence; It may be half a century old this August but the Mini - in Cooper and Cooper S Convertible guise - is looking as fresh as ever, thanks to a mini makeover, reports JACKIE VIOLET.

Byline: JACKIE VIOLET

TO CELEBRATE the 50th birthday of the Mini this year, BMW have given the Cooper and Cooper S convertibles a few nips and tucks.

The second-generation models gain new roof colours, wheel options, new exterior colours and body enhancements. The Cooper S is distinguished by a bigger bonnet bulge, large twin tailpipes, a large diffuser in the rear bumper and a two-piece rear fog lamp.

Inside sees new upholsteries, new instrument clusters, a luggage area increased by five litres and air conditioning - as standard for the first time - that wins its way into the lockable glovebox, thus keeping the chocolate bars from melting.

The roof takes just 15 seconds to go down. But for more reserved drivers, the electric roof can be retracted to about 40cm.

Die-hard open-top drivers can even record the time spent driving topless if the Openometer is fitted as an optional extra.

To accommodate UK weather, the automatic roof can be operated up to speeds of 20mph, or the partial sunroof at speeds of up to 75mph.

At the heart of the Mini Cooper Convertible is a 1.6-litre petrol engine mated to a six speed manual gearbox, plus a MINIMALISM system, which keeps fuel economy healthy and CO2 emissions down.

The Cooper's engine may be impressive, but bang on a turbocharger and it's a different story.Whack on the overboost and extra power can be reached for about nine seconds that will ensure overtaking manoeuvres are performed swiftly and safely, but it's hold on to your wig stuff.

When it comes to holding on to the Tarmac, the Mini sticks like glue. It's no wonder, either, with a 10 per cent strengthened body structure and chassis technologies such as dynamic stability control with automatic stability control and traction plus hill assist.

Add on ABS, EBD and corner braking control, and reassurance in the new Mini Cooper Convertible is guaranteed.

There are four airbags, crash sensors, three-point safety belts with pretensioners and an improved active single-piece roll-over bar situated behind the rear seats that will extend within 150 milliseconds should the car register it is about to turn over.

This new arrangement has helped rear view visibility, but it's still not that great, which is probably why the Mini comes with park distance control.

The only niggle is that the engine cuts out if the driver is in neutral for some time in a traffic queue. As soon as the clutch is engaged, the engine springs back into life quickly.

Apparently, this will not wear out the starter motor and the advantage is to conserve fuel and reduce CO2 emissions.

If all that inspires you, in tandem with the brighter skies of late, to go for open-top driving then time is of the essence - delivery day for the new models is tomorrow.

Factfile: Model: MINI Cooper and Cooper S Convertible Engine: 1.6-litre petrol Power: 120/175bhp Fuel economy: 49.6/44.1mpg CO2 emissions: 137/153g/km Warranty: Three years/unlimited miles Price: pounds 15,995 and pounds 18,995 On sale: Now

CAPTION(S):

AIR OF STABILITY: With a body structure that's been strengthened by 10 per cent and a plethora of chassis technology on board, it's little wonder that the Convertibles feel so well rooted to the road surface