Speaking today with MINI marketing staff at the Belgium/Luxembourg launch event for the JCW (magic event, thanks guys!) there was some specualtion that the new model line-up goes like this:

2009 - Cabrio (finally!)
2010 - Crossman/Crosser/Cross 4WD
2011 - Speedster 2 seat convertible

Anyone else got any info on a possible Speedster model?

Ian

It's been on the rumour mill since before the 1st gen Cabrio was launched - never officially confirmed or denied though ;)

There were loads of photoshop mock ups appearing in auto express and the like :rolleyes:

An example....

http://archiv.langzeittest.de/mini-cooper-cabrio/intern/grafik/mh_mini_speedster.jpg

They've always maintained at press events it wouldn't be worth doing, because it would not open them up to new markets, rather just divide the convertible sales, so almost certainly not worth doing. They only want new models that will win new customers in new segments, or it's not worth the investment.

They've always maintained at press events it wouldn't be worth doing, because it would not open them up to new markets, rather just divide the convertible sales, so almost certainly not worth doing. They only want new models that will win new customers in new segments, or it's not worth the investment.

Well, a couple of weeks ago I took management (the missus) to stay in a hotel inside a mediaval castle in France. The night we were there, almost the whole rest of the hotel was booked up by a Dutch cabrio club. There were Mercs, BMWs, Hondas, Mazdas and soem others - but not one MINI! Since a number of the dutchmen were having a good look at at MINERVA, I asked why there weren't any in their party. Answer - too many seats - this club is for 2 seater convertibles only! So there's one market the the Speedster would hit.......especially if MINI built it with a folding tin-top....

And to add to MINI Cabrio's picture - this was the first artist's impression I saw on MINI2 (probably pre-photoshop!) that made me to order my cabrio way back in March 2002:

I love that original MINI Cabrio look, with the super short windscreen and the aero headrests!

That and a new moke would make the brand line almost complete!

I love that original MINI Cabrio look, with the super short windscreen and the aero headrests!

That and a new moke would make the brand line almost complete!

Yes indeed - and I would be at the head of the queue to place my order!

how many other 4 seater convertibles are there

how many 2 seater roadsters are there?

come on mini do the maths.........

last chance for the brand to become an icon again, cant see a 4 x4 doing much on that score

and where was the public demand for the clubman?

how many other 4 seater convertibles are there

how many 2 seater roadsters are there?

come on mini do the maths.........



So you want a MINI alternative to the Mazda MX5 (and all the other 2-seaters)? I believe the speculation is that this would be called a Triumph, rather than a MINI...........

But since we can't even have a 4-door MINI to compete with cars like the Suzuki Swift, Peugeot 107 etc, what hope do we have.....:eek:

Triumph..... they could call it the Sprite :p

The MINI Sprite ;)

its not that long ago that lexus never had a name !

be sensible

so lets not build a car cos we cannot agree on the name?

if they called it a mini poo, i would still buy it

marcos should get on the case again