Geneva 2004

Mini's show stand was set up with a fashion-show-style catwalk, onto which the company sent out four Mini Cooper Cabrios, in various colors, filled with young hipsters and a slobbering sheep dog. The topless Mini's power-operated roof has two functions: First, you can open an integrated sliding top panel, for a sunroof of sorts, or you can continue to open the entire roof in only fifteen seconds. Despite these handy features, the roof, when up, creates a huge blind spot with its wide fabric C-pillar, and when down, it creates an unsightly stack of folded fabric atop the rear of the car. The trunk is a decent size, though, and is accessed via a fold-down tailgate. The topless Mini, in both Cooper and Cooper S trim, should be at U.S. dealers this September, bearing an estimated $5000 premium over comparable hardtop models.