Mini's launched a new Convertible with curious timing

This, in the depths of January, is a new Mini Convertible. A car that’s announced itself with the tact and timeliness of your mate trying to drag you down the pub when they know fine well you’re doing Dry January.

It’s a special edition Mini Convertible, in fact, of which only 150 will grace UK shores. It’s called the Sidewalk, and it costs £34,215. Even in Mini terms, that strikes us as much money.

There's at least a proper engine – the 189bhp 2.0-litre you’ll find in Cooper S hot hatches – but then you can have one of those in a drop-top Mini for under £25k.

The extra ten grand buys you aforementioned rarity, a standard-fit seven-speed automatic gearbox, a posher Harman Kardon stereo, a head-up display and the ability to operate the car using Amazon Alexa. Well, its technology, anyway. We don’t think you can bark ‘drive me to the dog grooming parlour’ into thin air and let the Sidewalk do the rest.

You also get new 17in wheels, a fancy design upon the soft-top fabric and Deep Laguna paint. Presumably a nod to a lustrous body of water, and not mid-90s Renault repmobiles. For shame.