• Power top with unique sliding roof
• Full four-seater with generous luggage capacity
• Go-kart handling and class-leading dynamics unchanged
• Strengthened body with windscreen reinforcement
• Full complement of active and passive safety systems

MINI announces the arrival of it's new MINI Cabrio.

Making its international debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the MINI Cabrio will come to Australia in MINI Cooper and supercharged 120 kW MINI Cooper S guises.

The conversion from tin-top to drop-top has not compromised MINIs distinctive, inimitable proportions, nor its chic city-savvy style.

It features a power roof that folds in a rapid 15 seconds and at the press of a single button.

The front section of the roof slides back like a conventional sunroof, and can be opened whilst travelling at speeds of up to 120km/h.

To completely drop the top, the Z-fold roof moves back in three pieces and stacks flat above the boot lid.

The front portion of the roof acts as a tonneau, removing the need for a separate cover or irritating clasps, catches or press-studs.

The roof supports fold away with the panels, and the rear side windows lower automatically to enhance that fresh air feeling.

In line with MINI’s premium positioning, the roof fabric comes in a choice of three colours: black, blue or green, matching or contrasting with a diverse palette of exterior paint colours, including two new hues. These are Hot Orange and Cool Blue.

Inside, there is a similarly large choice of trim materials and colours, from wood to aluminium, while seat facings come in a choice of three cloth, three cloth and leather, and three full leather styles.

The innovative roof design allows the MINI cabin to retain its full-size four-seater proportions as well as provide decent boot space – staying true to the age-old MINI mantra of extraordinarily efficient internal packaging.

The boot lid is hinged at the base, allowing it to open in a manner similar to the Mini Classic.

The rear seats fold forward, and together with the Easy Load system, which allows the hood stowage bin to be folded out of the way when empty, the MINI Cabrio boasts a capacious luggage capacity of 605-litres.

With the hood down and four adults aboard, the boot holds a commodious 120 litres.

MINI Cabrio has been thoroughly re-engineered to cope with the removal of its metal roof.

The windscreen pillars have been reinforced with an ultra high strength steel tubular structure, while the rear head-restraints are bolstered by aluminium roll-over hoops.

MINI Cabrio boasts a strong and distinctive profile, with a waistline gradually rising towards the rear, accentuated by a chrome spear from the door window line to the rear window.

Between the steeply raked windscreen and folded roof there is no B pillar to interrupt the pure sportscar look.

In the MINI Cooper Cabrio, the 85 kW 1.6-litre engine produces 150 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm and reaches a top speed of 193 km/h. It accelerates to 100 km/h from standstill in 9.8 seconds and uses just 7.3 litres/100 km in the EU test cycle.

Combining a very stiff bodyshell with superior chassis and suspension features, the MINI Cabrio provides a unique combination of superior agility and handling.

A long wheelbase, low centre of gravity, wide track, the multi-arm rear axle and the direct, electro hydraulic power steering conspire to deliver typical - and now much admired - go-kart handling, responsive, direct steering and superlative ride control.

Structural stiffening to provide a particularly high standard of torsional stiffness prevents the doorsills from bending in the event of a head-on collision. They also offer occupants optimum protection in a side impact.

Larger head/thorax side airbags are inserted in the front seats, there are ‘intelligent’ dual front airbags, pyrotechnical belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters, while anti-lock brakes backed by Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Cornering Brake Control are all standard.

Standard kit also includes a Tyre Defect Indicator (TDI), power windows and mirrors, Park Distance Control (PDC), height adjustment on the both driver’s seat and steering column, as well as remote central locking. The roof can be fully opened via a button on the key fob from outside the car.

MINI Cabrio also includes a tempting array of optional equipment including xenon headlights, TV navigation with a 16:9 colour display, high-quality HiFi and a wind deflector.

The MINI Cabrio debuts a minor change to the lower bumper and front apron style, with a new lower air intake grille and fog lamp housings. New clear lens headlamps are also adopted.

The MINI Cabrio will make its Australian debut at the Sydney International Motor Show in October, with deliveries beginning from January 2005.

The MINI Cabrio joins the exceedingly successful MINI brand, which sold 1633 cars in Australia last year out of a global total of 176,000 units.

MINI Cooper Cabrio pricing and local market specification will be announced at later in the year.