With its roof-mounted...

With its roof-mounted spare wheel, side-box toolkits and sliding load bay, the MINI, called Concept Geneva, has been designed to act as a support vehicle for the Monte Carlo Rally. To commemorate the original Mini Cooper"s victory on the event in 1964, it"s painted red and white, with rally logos on the bonnet and side-boxes.

The sporty look is enhanced by a one-piece front end, hinged so that the bonnet, grille and wheelarches raise up together to allow access to the engine.

But the most important feature is the newcomer"s practicality. Made of specially moulded red plastic, the side storage boxes fit into the rear windows, where they are fastened into position. Flaps on either side allow mechanics to load and unload tools from inside and outside the car. The boxes are complemented by a sliding load bay, which extends from the boot floor and can also act as a partition between the passenger compartment and load area. As with previous Traveller studies, Concept Geneva uses the roof for extra storage space, too, mounting a spare wheel in a recess at the rear.

Access to the interior is easy thanks to specially hinged doors, and inside there"s a luxurious, leather-clad cabin with room for four. Concept Geneva isn"t likely to go into production, but some of its storage solutions could grace the final Traveller, due on sale in 2007.