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2012 Mini Roadster: Up Close

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More 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

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I was most interested in the operation of the Roadster’s manual soft-top. There’s still good headroom for taller drivers like myself when the top is up, and it unlatches from the windshield frame with a twist of a center handle. You have to twist your arm a bit when letting the top fall, but it’s possible to lower the roof in a few seconds with one hand when sitting in the driver’s seat. That’s just not possible in many convertibles these days with the proliferation of slower, albeit powered, tops.

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Senior Road Test Editor
Mike Hanley

Mike Hanley has more than 20 years of experience reporting on the auto industry. His primary focus is new vehicles, and he's currently a Senior Road Test Editor overseeing expert car reviews and comparison tests. He previously managed Editorial content in the Cars.com Research section.

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