We expect the MINI Coupe to achieve five stars in the Euro NCAP tests just like the rest of the MINI range. Standard safety equipment includes twin front and head-thorax airbags.

Interestingly, the Coupe has a bigger boot than the MINI Clubman. You can rub your eyes if you wish but yes, the Coupe has 20 litres more boot space than a Clubman offering a total luggage space of 280 litres. It’s still pretty paltry though when you consider that the VW Scirocco has 292 litres of boot space and the Renault Megane Coupe has 344 litres.

There is room for a couple of soft bags behind the front seats and there are a few cubbies to store loose change for the car park machine. The glovebox is a good size and there are a couple of door bins and a tray for your mobile phone or MP3 player (the MINI is available with iPod compatibility). Forward visibility is okay for a coupe, but the rear screen offers nothing more than a pillar-box view.

MINI has tried to combat this with sizeable wing mirrors but it’s only half done the job.