Mini coupe concept

[ivan1]

Mini unveils coupe concept; car to take on Audi TT

Paul McVeigh
Automotive News
August 26, 2009 - 8:15 am ET

MUNICH -- Mini has unveiled a concept for a new coupe that will expand the brand's lineup to five models.

Mini will show the coupe concept at the Frankfurt auto show next month. The BMW-owned brand aims to bring the coupe to market in two to three years as a rival to the Audi TT and Peugeot's new RCZ.

Mini, which this month celebrates the 50th anniversary of its foundation, says the two-seat concept is designed to be the most dynamic and agile Mini ever.

The coupe's roof is made of aluminum and the concept's sleek looks have been achieved by lowering the roofline compared with the standard Mini hatchback.

Because of its lighter roof, the coupe weighs about 100kg less than the standard Mini.

The front-wheel-drive concept is powered by Mini's most powerful engine, a 1.6-liter turbocharged powerplant found in the carmaker's high-performance models from tuning division John Cooper Works.

The engine has CO2 emissions of 165g/km.

The coupe will join the hatchback, convertible and Clubman wagon versions already on sale and a crossover model in the final stages of development.


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and just in case someone thinks I am pretending to have inside information, here are some links to the sources

Mini unveils coupe concept; car to take on Audi TT - Automotive News

Mini Coupe Concept at 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show - KickingTires

[Spudboy]

I really like the MINI, but that's ugly!

[cstetter]

Man, that's FUGLY!!!

[Ian]

I hope it stays a concept.

[Flash G]

FAIL


.

[Demonized]

2300lb mini is a good idea.
Ugly choptop mini is a bad idea.

[ivan1]

I suppose there will be similar feelings about this Citroen competitor to Mini to be shown at the Frankfurt show...(we'll never see it here anyhow)

[Chili Red]

I kind of like it..

[fast+forward]

wow...it looks so busy

[ivan1]

convertible 2 seater coming also...maybe that will be better looking...
BMW expands Mini lineup with two-seat coupe, roadster models: AutoWeek Magazine


Mini is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its original model by confirming plans for a new compact performance-oriented coupe.

The two-seater, revealed 50 years to the day after the premiere of the first Mini back in 1959, will make its public debut at the upcoming Frankfurt motor show. At the show, the BMW-owned carmaker also will unveil a similarly styled two-seat roadster, which sources say will head into production as part of a strategy aimed at further raising the appeal of the wildly popular and iconic small car.

Confirmation of the coupe and roadster pairing comes less than a year after Mini revealed that it would build a new four-wheel-drive SUV in the mold of its high-riding Crossman concept. Together, this trio of new models will double the number of Mini derivatives on sale within the next three years--a move that analysts say will help boost the company's worldwide sales above 400,000 annually, despite increased competition in the form of the upcoming Audi A1, the Citroën DS3 (both Frankfurt debuts) and the recently introduced Alfa Romeo MiTo.

Although it is described as a concept and the official line is that no decision on production has yet been made, the Mini Coupe to be revealed in Frankfurt is no mere fantasy destined to be toned down in appearance and mechanical makeup before it reaches dealerships. High-ranking Mini insiders revealed to AutoWeek that the production version due out in 2011 will be a virtual carbon copy both in looks and in the hardware that lurks beneath.

The Coupe was styled by a team working under Mini design boss Gert Hildebrand. He has retained the retro appearance of existing Cooper models while infusing an added dash of sportiness in the heavily angled windshield, the low roofline and the dedicated trunk lid. The result is a less boxy car than the Cooper. With a height of just 53.4 inches, it's also a lot lower. Traditional touches include blackened pillars to give the coupe the same floating roof design found on other Minis.

Inside, the Coupe swaps the four-seat layout of the Cooper for a simple two-seat arrangement, with the space in back used to extend trunk capacity. While the concept car boasts a luxurious leather-lined interior, production versions of the Coupe will come with the same materials and trims used on existing Mini models.

Under its steel skin, the Coupe uses the same front-wheel-drive platform, as well as the aluminum-intensive MacPherson-strut front and multilink rear suspension and electro-hydraulic steering system from existing versions of the Mini. All of that hints at typical agile-driving characteristics and firm ride qualities for the production car, which is expected to be priced at about $36,000 when North American sales begin in 2012.

In keeping with the performance slant evident in its exterior styling, Mini has endowed its Frankfurt concept with the same turbocharged 1.6-liter, 208-hp, 206-lb-ft four-cylinder gasoline engine used in the Cooper S John Cooper Works model.

Nothing is official yet, but expect the top-of-the-line Mini Coupe to hit 60 mph in less than 7.0 seconds and to reach a top speed of about 150 mph. Production versions of the new car should also be available with the less powerful 172-hp turbocharged, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine from the Cooper S, according to Mini sources.

Read more: BMW expands Mini lineup with two-seat coupe, roadster models: AutoWeek Magazine

[407Driver]

That mini has premature balding or like a fat guy with a XS helmet stuffed on his head. I do like the citroen however.

[sleepe]

glad it's only a concept...

[Spudboy]

Originally Posted by the1sen

I like it - If it was all black, I'd like it even more.

If they can keep the weight down, and the price, I'd like it enough to drive it, possibly buy it if it felt right.

Most concepts and "new" cars are ugly until you see them in person or with the right color. Case in point, the Evora... I didn't think much of it until I saw it in person in BLACK - now I fantasize about its sexiness wrapped around me, coddling me in it's supple leather seats while I gently pull at the steering wheel and probe every surface of it's silken femininity; allowing me to caress the center tunnels' protruding stick shift until I finally ... uh, get into 6th gear .

I humbly disagree. The Evora already looks pretty good in pictures, and just gets better in person. The MINI concept looks like s**t, it would take a miracle to make it look even passable in person.

[frostylocks]

epic failure

it's fugly.

it needs to stay a concept. the concept of somebody's bad dream/lack of design skills!

looks like some retard from the Fiat 500 department drew it while loaded.

there are way too many other cars to buy, either new or used, that are more inviting than this cutesy FWD no-go thingy.

it'll probably sell well though.

[m_beale1]

I've got the same problem with this car as the normal mini. I don't mind the way the outside looks, and I really like small (relatively) light cars, but I HATE the interior. And since you generally spend more time looking at the inside of a car that you own than the outside I don't think I'm likely to be interested in one. Kind of a shame because I see a lot to like about the mini and it looks like this new coupe will be even lighter and offer better performance (assuming it really does end up being 100 kg lighter).

[lancer360]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I swore I just saw a news article about how badly Mini is doing in the reliability department. Combine ugliness and always in shop ... No thank you!

[shay2nak]

i like it! Baseball cap roof LOL

it's a chopped mini

[the1sen]

here it is in black - see, much nicer than fruity blue.

[ivan1]

I am clearly in the minority, but I kind of like it....

[avonnieda]

I like it too.