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MINI have released details and photographs of their new MINI Coupe Concept vehicle, due to make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motorshow, which opens to the public on the 17th September 2009.

The MINI Coupe heralds the dawn of a new era for the MINI brand, and has been released on the 26th August to mark the 50th anniversary of the legendary British marque.

While MINI have refused to commit to confirming production of the MINI Coupe Concept, their previous concept vehicles, the MINI Traveller and MINI Crossover both made it into full production. We fully expect the Coupe, and its as yet unconfirmed brother, the MINI Speedster, to be on sale within a few years.

[Source: theSwitchback (http://theswitchback.com/news/introducing-the-mini-coupe-concept)]

http://www.autoguide.com/gallery/d/78399-4/p90047095_highres.jpg

At long last, it's here. Rumors of some sort of even-sportier MINI model have been bouncing around for years and finally, with the debut of the MINI Coupé Concept, there's reason to believe MINI will actually take action and bring a sporty two-seater to market.

The debut comes exactly 50 years after Alec Issigonis showed the original MINI.

Powered by the same John Cooper Works turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder as the current line of top-level MINIs, the Coupe makes 211hp and 192 ft-lbs of torque, with a bump to 206 ft-lbs possible thanks to an overboost function.

The unique roof was designed to increase downforce, while create a functional amount of rear storage space. The new roof is also made of aluminum to help keep weight on the coupe to a minimum. MINI has yet to release all the details but does mention in its press release that "extreme lightweight technology makes this tw0-seater particularly agile and efficient."

As for the dimensions, the Coupe measures 146.2-inches (3,714 millimeters) in length, 66.3-inches (1,683 millimeters) in width and 53.4-inches (1,356 millimeters) in height.

Inside the MINI Coupé Concept keeps much of the traditional MINI interior style. There are even two clocks inside, one for keeping time and one for keeping lap times!

MINI is expected to bring the Coupé Concept to market but it's not likely until 2011 at the earliest.

More: MINI Coupé Concept Revealed (http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/08/report-toyota-corolla-tops-cash-for-clunkers-purchase-list.html) on AutoGuide.com

I actually quite like it. The roof is strange though. Don't like the roof line where the roof line drops down behind the door. Its definitely different!

wow i want one..in time for a college grad present? any idea on price? i would guess 25k

Am I imagining it, or does it have the bonnet and grille of the mk1 rather than the mark 2?

It's the same as the second gen MINI. They just put a body coloured grille, JCW bodykit, and stripes that go into the grille on it.

It's simply not 'CLASSICAL MINI' like! Why did BMW name this a MINI! If the name was'nt MINI it would be better. The model is simply staggering and beautiful but.........

You're right, but then it's not a classic Mini is it.

Things move on, and all the better for it. :D

I still like it. No, its a pumped up original MINI!

I like it and if it's released in 2011 then that's just about when I'm considering changing my mini!

Are the Mini designers trying to enter the seemingly global competition for creating the worlds most ugly and overdesigned vehicles.... give me a break!!! Next they'll get the design team in from Ssangyong to create the ultimate MINI "Homermobile"... That coupe looks like the roof melted in the sun and the Crossover...well... what can you say?
I'm all for progress, but you don't see the shape of the Porsche 911 change far from the original profile, why? because it's right. Why try to reinvent the wheel just to be different.
:confused:

I'm all for progress, but you don't see the shape of the Porsche 911 change far from the original profile, why? because it's right.

First off, you do see the 911 change. Perhaps you don't or haven't noticed it, but the 911 has changed a GREAT deal over the years, and is quite frequently updated.

Secondly, the 911 is A Porsche. Like the MINI (hatch) is just A MINI. Porsche have had a number of other models, with their own unique looks and characters, and MINI have and will continue to do the same.

There's no reason why Porsche can't have several distinct models in their line up, and no reason MINI can't either. Least not that I can see.

LOVE this car. Pure bad-asseness wrapped in original and vintage MINI styling. I think I'm the only one from reading all the responses on others MINI enthusiast sites that sees this car as being somewhat a direct descendant of the original Broadspeed coupe. I'm just hoping I can fit in the coupe as I'm quite tall (6'5"). Here's to hoping!

Sorry Paul, you missed the vital part in my reference to the 911 "...FAR from the original.." Of course I have seen the design change...that is exactly my point. It changes with great attention to detail and the overall aesthetic. The new MINI coupe concept has (IMO) some elements that are sensational, but I think the overall aesthetic is unresolved, infact, parts of the roofline look positively like an afterthought.

As far as the "Crossover" goes, I personally think BMW have enough 4wd softroad/SUV vehicles to satisfy the market without diluting the MINI brand and exploring what will be just another (ugly) design solution to a transport need we dont have. I'm quite sure that the MINI brand could be applied to a 4 tonne Sports Pick-Up but I simply fail to see what the point would be. Just as pointless as a 4 door 911 really.:D

Cheers Paul, I'm just venting my thoughts.;)

Rossi

That's the point of forums. ;)

The thing with the Mini is, it was sadly neglected under various UK owners, never changed, apart from the short lived Clubman, and stagnant.

The 911 has evolved over time, a new 911 looks VERY different to an original incarnation.

MINI have some catching up to do, and if they don't act boldly once in a while, it'll get very boring, very fast.

Me no likie.
Hope the roadster will be more pleasing to look at than this thing.

How about with teardrops lights stolen from the MINI Crossover Concept, and a few other little tweaks.

MINI Coupe Teardrop Dark


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3878301760_f71ee8418c_b.jpg
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulmullett/3878301760/)

:D

Everytime I look at the roof line of the Coupe, Dark Helmet from Spaceballs springs to mind :p
http://www.infowars.com/images/spaceballs.jpg

You made me spit out my tea with that. :p :eek: :D

Are the Mini designers trying to enter the seemingly global competition for creating the worlds most ugly and overdesigned vehicles.... give me a break!!! Next they'll get the design team in from Ssangyong to create the ultimate MINI "Homermobile"... That coupe looks like the roof melted in the sun and the Crossover...well... what can you say?

BMW is a very successful organisation; they can see and exploit a marketing trend at least as well as anyone out there. Ugly is the in "thing" at the moment and they have the best team, with all the skills, to take full advantage of it.

I expect that the new Coupe will be a smash hit.

Tigger.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3452/3877865307_52a83e7daf_b.jpg
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulmullett/3877865307/)

Here's another review from Piston Heads today: -

PistonHeads Headlines (http://www.pistonheads.com:80/news/default.asp?storyId=20541)

See here: MINI Coupé confirmed for UK production | theSwitchback (http://overboo.st/ukc)

And here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-discussion/174570-mini-coupe-confirmed-uk-production.html#post3727259

;) :D