Fiat 500C drops cover (and top) for Geneva show

To keep in step with Mini, Fiat will launch a convertible version of the 500 at the Geneva motor show. The 500C comes a couple months after Mini showed its own new convertible at the Detroit auto show.

In place of the fixed roof is a power retractable soft top with rear glass window and built-in rear brake light. The top will be offered in ivory, red and black and two exclusive paint colors are available on the convertible: pearl red and warm grey.

Engine options carryover from the normal model with a 1.3-liter turbocharged diesel producing 75 hp and two gas engines: a 1.2-liter four-cylinder with 69 hp and a 1.4-liter four with 100 hp. The diesel comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission, while the gas engines are available with the manual or automatic gearbox.

To further improve fuel efficiency, Fiat adds a start and stop system that switches the engine off at a standstill with the car in neutral and the clutch disengaged. The engine then automatically re-fires when the car is put in gear.

The 500C goes on sale later this year in Europe. Depending on how the Chrysler and Fiat link-up goes, the convertible 500 could appear in the U.S. sometime next year.

By Jonathan Wong