Speedster....

[JimmyCooperS]

Has anyone heard anything more about a 2 seater Speedsrter? I know there were concepts of the current MINI drawn up, but I've heard it said that they want to build a Speedster version of the new MINI after the launch of the Cabrio in 2009.

It would be cool... I hope they do it personally. What do other folk think?

Elliot.

[Paul]

Seen or heard nothing to suggest this will happen.

[Scrogg]

Probably way too much of a niche model for today's manufacturing costs.

Maybe one day someone will create their own, customised version, but I very much doubt MINI will spend fortunes developing a new model that will have such limited appeal.

(They'll probably go and announce one now, just to prove me wrong! )

[Rakey]

Funny this thread should start today seeing as I asked about it on the weekend.

The speedster concept apparently was purely a design concept during the initial Convertible project, but the benifits of a 4 seater over the 2 was chosen and the Speedster taken no further.

However MINI are always looking at potential future concepts so there is nothing to say that it will never appear but it is not on the current design plan as a future model.


Now my take on it:

For any company to make a product it would need to have proof that it would add sales rather than split sales between the new product and the existing range, which in this case the addition of a second convertible model would only steal sales from the existing model. So why invest in a new product which is not going to gain you any added market share, it would be more wise to invest in a product that is going to get your into a new sector and gain you a different customer

[Hat]

i think when you see that the plant is setting up for 3 production lines that they won't be expanding the current line up for some time beyond tin top, convertible & traveller, plus i ased about the expected life of the new car at the weekend & in a roundabout way the answer was that the R56 & variants will be here for longer than the current line up were

[minicabrio]

Maybe on the next generation?

Get your orders in now for the R60

[Morty]

at our local bookstore I spotted a German car magazine today doing a review about Cabrio's and roadsters to come in 2007.

In there a real picture (not drawing) of the MINI Speedster with a few details
Due to launch July 2007
Concept car?

Also in there a littel written preview about the Moke and new cabrio being launched next year also ...

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by Morty (original)

at our local bookstore I spotted a German car magazine today doing a review about Cabrio's and roadsters to come in 2007.

In there a real picture (not drawing) of the MINI Speedster with a few details
Due to launch July 2007
Concept car?

Also in there a littel written preview about the Moke and new cabrio being launched next year also ...

That magazine isn't related to our Auto Express by any chance is it?

[Morty]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

That magazine isn't related to our Auto Express by any chance is it?

I honestly don't know .. but it could be.
Didn't take much attention to it to be honest. Just grabbed it because it said MINI speedster on front page

[ItHurts]

Quote: Originally Posted by Morty (original)

I honestly don't know .. but it could be.
Didn't take much attention to it to be honest. Just grabbed it because it said MINI speedster on front page

Any chance you could scan the picture?

[Morty]

I actually didn't buy it.. but I'll check if it's still there.

It's the same car I've seen on pictures that have been put up before.

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

That magazine isn't related to our Auto Express by any chance is it?

I'd have a guess it is and sales are down, a MINI concept will always sell a few more mags