THE lure of a Mini Convertible can act on the head as well as the heart thanks to the Cooper D diesel model.

There's no doubt that the modern Mini is a powerfully persuasive car. Its phenomenal sales performance since reinvention at the hands of BMW is testament to that.

Retro design sprinkled with leading-edge technology, youthful marketing and aspirational ad campaigns all contribute to the shinning appeal that the Mini holds for its target consumers.

But is it enticing enough to overcome one of history's biggest motoring turn-offs, that of the dreaded diesel convertible?

The Mini Convertible is painfully trendy and not the most practical car. And that's compounded by the Convertible bodystyle. The Cooper D Convertible could, however, appeal to those who prefer to take their fun with a dash of commonsense. Outstanding economy and low emissions give it some of the lowest running costs of any drop-top car.

If you're still harbouring doubts about convertible cars with diesel engines, it really is time for a rethink. The diesel units of yesteryear can't hold a candle to today's installations with regards to cleanliness or refinement, while the economy advantages are bigger than ever. The Cooper D model offers decent performance and sparkling ownership costs.

If you were struggling to justify the purchase of a Mini Convertible with its stingy rear seats and limited luggage space, the Cooper D could be just the thing.

One of its key aims is to offer the fun of top-down motoring without sacrificing too much in terms of space and driving dynamics. Adding sensible virtues like low fuel consumption and miniscule emissions into the mix.