Stockdorf/Munich. – The joint venture company set up by Webasto and Pininfarina in 2002 supplies the roof design for two of the most spectacular convertible presentations of this year’s Geneva Motor Show.

The Mini convertible has a fabric top which opens and closes fully automatically and is highly economical in terms of space thanks to the cunning Z-fold which collapses it behind the seats of this runabout that looks sure to attract a cult following. There is no need for the usual tarpaulin, as this function is taken over by the front section of the top. Particular striking is the perfectly integrated large electric sunroof – a quite extraordinary technical feature for a convertible with a fabric top.

The five-section retractable hardtop in the Geneva study of the Volkswagen convertible incorporates a quite different, though no less fascinating construction principle. The sophisticated folding technology of the metal roof allows the future four-seater from Wolfsburg to be opened completely. Electrohydraulically driven, it folds away into the trunk – but so ingeniously that it leaves a perfectly serviceable amount of luggage space. The special feature of this top is also the additional sunroof: an exterior glass sunroof gives the convertible’s passengers all the light they could wish for even when the top is closed, offering a wide range of benefits in all opening variants.