Geneva Motor Show 2004 - Mini

The new Mini Convertible made its first public appearance at the Geneva Motor Show today.

On sale this June for around £13,000, the Mini drop-top bucks the trend towards metal-roofed convertibles. Instead, it uses a traditional cloth roof which Mini says helps to minimise the space lost from the boot when the top is folded – although owners will only be able to squeeze in 120 litres of luggage with the roof down.

The electrically operated hood has a retracting sunroof section and folds away over the boot in just 15 seconds. Pressing a button is all that’s required to put the roof down - there are no clips to undo. Mini says the roof can be folded while driving at speeds of up to 70mph.

The boot now hinges from the bottom, as on the original Mini, while the folded roof section can be lifted up to improve access to the boot.

Entry-level 90bhp 1.6 versions of the Mini Convertible should undercut the Peugeot 206 CC and the forthcoming Vauxhall Tigra coupe cabriolet, also on show at Geneva.

A 115bhp Cooper version will also be available for around £14,200, while a 163bhp Cooper S variant arrives towards the end of the year. There are no plans for a diesel version.