The wraps came off the cheapest version of the new Cowley-built Mini at today's opening of the Geneva Motor Show.

The Mini was seen at the Paris and Birmingham shows last autumn, but only in the sportier 115 horsepower Cooper version.

Today was the first public glimpse of the 90 horsepower entry-level model. Prices have not yet been announced, but it is expected to cost about £10,000.

The 163 horsepower Cooper S follows in early 2002. BMW chairman Prof Joachim Milberg said he expected the car group's sales to be stable in 2001. And he hoped that sales of the Mini, available in the UK from July 7, would help maintain the German car maker's volume production.

The Mini range will be sold in the UK ahead of any other market, but by spring 2002 will be available worldwide from the Cowley factory, which has a capacity of 100,000 cars a year.

The UK market is expected to take about 20,000 of that production and the range will be sold from special Mini-branded showrooms at most UK BMW dealerships. BMW says more than 30,000 people have expressed an interest in the car. Also at Geneva, Honda is showing its next Swindon-built Civic, and MG Rover will launch an estate version of its Longbridge-built Rover 75.

In spite of production cutbacks and plant closures by market leaders Ford and General Motors, British-based carmakers are planning to unveil an unprecedented number of models in Geneva.

Manufacturers including Jaguar and Aston Martin both Ford subsidiaries are preparing major model launches.

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