MINI Convertible to Debut at NY Int'l Auto Show

Open-Top Excitement Added to MINI Brand at New York International Auto Show

New York, March 15, 2004… Further expanding MINI's product line, the MINI Convertible makes
its U.S. debut at the 2004 New York International Auto Show.  The MINI Convertible brings the
fun of open-top motoring to MINI and is the next significant model introduction for the brand.

The MINI Convertible is a fully-fledged four-seater that is fun yet functional. Carrying on MINI's
unmistakable design, the car has a very clean look with much of the top recessing into the rear
deck area.  And although this car is all about open-top motoring, with the top up, the MINI
Convertible retains MINI's unmistakable signature roof silhouette.

The roof will be available in three colors, and opens up automatically in just 15 seconds. As the
soft roof folds, the roof columns automatically retract and the rear side windows move down at
the same time. The intelligent top design mechanism allows the complete roof to fold up without
the need for a tonneau cover.

The sliding roof integrated in the soft top can also be opened up 16" while driving up to 75 mph -
an unprecedented feature in the convertible market.  The roof also features a glass, heated rear
window.

With its roof down, a chrome strip along the base of the window line accentuates the car's
distinctive profile.  The raked windscreen, the absence of a B-pillar, along with the high-strength
aluminum roll bars behind the rear-seat backrest, and the compact, folding roof all give the MINI
Convertible a clean, open look.

The MINI Convertible is also designed to optimize available storage space.  The rear
compartment incorporates flip fold-down rear seats with a large pass-through opening to
accommodate long or bulky items.  With the top closed, the storage well for the top can retract to
allow for more access space in the rear trunk.  Additionally like MINI's first generation
predecessor, the rear trunk lid is hinged to swing down and is suspended with high strength
supports that can hold up to 176 pounds.  This further maximizes the available cargo capacity for
the MINI Convertible.

Performance safety and rigidity are all part of the equations.  Much like the hard top MINI Cooper
and Cooper S, the MINI Convertible combines a very stiff bodyshell with a taut chassis and
nimble handling.  The MINI Convertible offers a low center of gravity, a wide stance, multi-link
rear suspension and very direct steering.  This all comes together to provide the foundation for
the MINI Convertible's excellent driving characteristics and go-kart feel.

The MINI Convertible will be offered in the U.S. market in two model variations and will offer
responsive power and performance already well know in the hard tops.  The MINI Cooper
Convertible comes with a normally aspirated 1.6 liter 4 cylinder engine and the MINI Cooper S
Convertible comes with the supercharged 1.6 liter 4 cylinder engine.

The MINI Convertible offers occupants optimum crash protection with an extremely stiff body
structure along with two "intelligent" front impact airbags and two side-impact head/thorax airbags
integrated into the seats - all standard.

Structural enhancements have been made to achieve a high standard of torsional stiffness and
crash protection.  The doorsills have been strengthened to help reduce deformation in the event
of a side impact.  In the unlikely event of a rollover, the A-pillars incorporate ultra-strong tubular
steel designed to withstand high loads.  At the rear the double roll-bars are made of high-strength
aluminium tubes, and combined with the integrated headrests, offer high levels of passenger
safety.

A high standard of active safety includes four-wheel disc brakes, four-sensor ABS, Electronic
Brake Force Distribution (EBD), as well as Cornering Brake Control (CBC). Also available are
Automatic Stability and Traction Control (ASC+T) as well as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) - all
to help to provide superior driving and tracking stability in extreme situations.

The MINI Convertible comes with a host of options, features and exciting colors to give
customers a wide array of choices to individualize their cars.  New colors are available including
two colors that are exclusive to the MINI Convertible - Hot Orange and Cool Blue.  A wide range
of light-alloy wheels is also available to compliment the car's appearance.

Standard equipment includes a fully automatic power top with sliding roof function and a heated
glass rear window, four-sensor ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake
Control (CBC), a tire monitoring system, power windows and side-view mirrors, electro-hydraulic
power steering, Park Distance Control (PDC), height adjustable front seats and tilt wheel, as well
as central remote locking - just to name a few.

A sampling of optional equipment includes xenon headlights, onboard navigation system,
Harman Kardon audio system, automatic air conditioning, cruise control with a multi-function
steering wheel, a rain sensor, and interior rear-view mirror with anti-dazzle function.

The MINI Convertible is expected to go on sale in the U.S. market in late summer as a 2005
model.  Although pricing is not currently available it will be announced prior to market launch.