While I don't think it looks BAD, I too would rather see a hard top, and no back seat. I think two-seaters are just terribly sexy.
Plus, I guess maybe this is just kind of a personally picky critique, but I don't want a convertible with plastic rear windshield. My Dad's 323 convertible is GREAT fun with the top down, but when it's up, I feel out of control because I cannot see clearly through the rear plastic. The current 3 series has glass now, as does this year's Boxster, the s2000, and even Toyota's otherwise sort of plasticy MR2 Spyder, but it looks to me as if the MINI Open would have to fold across that large back openning, and therefore require plastic. That's disappointing.
I can see how that would be necessary, to preserve the back seat, so I guess my real disappointment is that they made the rear seats a priority. Cover them up. That'd give us a much, much cooler convertible, with glass in the back and maybe even a folding hard top (COOL!), and probably more usable storage as well. Now, THAT would be the coolest car on the road.
As it is, the coolest car on the road is a Cooper or Cooper S. To heck with the Cooper Open.
Wheeee!
wynn