Meet the Mini drop-top

09 February 2004

The new Mini convertible, unveiled today, will use a fabric roof when it goes on sale this June.

Bucking the current trend towards metal-roofed cabriolets, the Mini drop-top has a traditional fabric roof which Mini says will help minimise the space lost from the boot when the top is folded.

The open-top Mini is likely to cost around £2500 more than the hatchback, starting at £13,000 for a 90bhp One. That undercuts Peugeot's 110bhp 206 CC by nearly £2000, and it should also be cheaper than the forthcoming Vauxhall Tigra cabriolet and Nissan Micra C+C.

A 115bhp Cooper version will be available from launch 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.

The electrically operated hood folds in 15 seconds and sits above the boot. A cover is available to protect the cloth roof.

Rear seat space isn't affected with the roof folded, although boot capacity shrinks from 165 litres to 120 litres. The hatchback's large rear door is replaced by a bottom-hinged boot like that on the original Mini, while the stowed hood can be lifted upwards to improve access to the back.

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