So I havent been on this site for a while since I dont have my MINI anymore but recently found out that the MINI Coupe is going to be on sale soon.
I cant seem to find any discussion about it here on MINI2 or NAM... is it me or does no one care about it? I thought there would be tons of threads about it.
From what I can find online through google is...
It's going on sale Aug 2011
Only 1 engine size for the Coupe 207HP
starting price $19,900?
Roadster to come 6 months later
at $25K
with 170HP
Anyone have anymore info about it? Or point me to a thread with info?
Since then however, there's been very little buzz about either of these new models. I think people are waiting for the official word from MINI before getting excited?
I find it strange that only the coupe gets the 211bhp JCW engine, while the roadster will apparently only be available in regular "S" guise. If a JCW variant of the roadster was made available, I'd definitely be interested (although from what I've seen so far I dislike the manual fabric roof).
There's no way that the coupe will start at $19,900 though. The base Cooper S starts at $23,700 and the JCW hatch with the same engine starts at $29,800.
Also take into account that the base S convertible is $28,550 (with the JCW variant coming in at $35,000) and these new models are both likely to be in the $35k+ range if you ask me.
EDIT: Thinking about it, if these new models are available in Cooper (perhaps even One) guise, the $20k price becomes more realistic. The fact that these prices have been bandied around somewhere suggest that this may actually prove to be the case... not to mention the spy shots which appear to show the coupe in Cooper guide.
Last edited by minicore; Feb 26th, 2011 at 08:40 PM.
I've just had a quick scout around and everything I've read indicates that both the coupe and roadster will get the 211bhp engine - for example this story dated December 2009:
Another story claiming the same, with alleged confirmation from MINI US chief Jim McDowell. Curiously, this story also claims that both models will be available in a choice of S or JCW guise, with a Cooper variant also a possibility.
This story, dated just this week, features a quote from MINI Communication Manager Nathalie Bauters, apparently saying that the coupe "will go on sale in the fall, probably as a 2012 model year" and that the roadster "will come six months later as a 2012 or 2013 model".
Am i the only person wondering what the point of the roadster is? I mean i assume it'll be a little lighter and harder than the normal S/JCW convertible but it carn't be that much more hardcore if its going into full production instead of limited edition like the GP.
And considering it will no doubt cost alot more than the normal S convertible but have the same power why would anyone choose it over a JCW convertible?
Edit: you just managed to sneak in there before me minicore disregard my last paragraph.
Yeah I'm with Smooth Criminal on this one. I can't see the point in the coupé. Personally I don't think it even looks that good, but that's just me. Also; am I the only person getting slightly annoyed by the management of BMW whoring out the MINI name by filling every niche in the market that they can? Obviously the regular hatch is okay and I can understand the Clubman, but the Countryman in both it's 4 and (eventual) 2 door guise's and now this coupé/roadster might just be a step too far.
Completely agree about BMW whoring the MINI name, they seem to be filling every possible niche with cars nobody wants or needs recently (5 series GT, X6, X1 anyone?)
And now MINI's, the Countryman i could tolarate (even though i've never seen one on the roads) But the Paceman did it for me why would anyone buy a 2 door sporty MINI SUV instead of a 2 door sporty MINI hatch which will drive considerably better?
Its not as if BMW/MINI need extra models to boost cash every street corner has a MINI on it!
Anyway rant over, as you were people
While I don't like the whoring of MINI's with the Countryman, Paceman (which I just refer to as Pac Man) and the coupé I have to concede that if it works and the company make money off of them then fair enough. So long as BMW are making MINI profitable and, more importantly, fun to drive then who am I to complain?
Thanks minicore for the links. I did try the search, coupe returns nothing useful I did not select MEDIA or NEWS though I searched ALL open forums.
I looked at edmunds.com and it shows the MINI Coupe as starting at $19,900 if thats the case I would be totally interested, even if its in the low $20Ks if it goes upwards of $35K then no way. At that point it digs into other cars that can be considered. 135 quickly pops into mind at that price point.
It would look a lot better without that weird roof lip hanging over the rear window. Kinda reminds me of Jason Alexander (George from Seinfeld) with a really bad toupe.
Yes the coupe is an acquired taste I think. I was on a factory tour last September and they showed us the prod line for the coupe and roadster. It still had all the wrappings on it but its installed..
The forthcoming MINI coupe could be called the MINI Broadspeed Coupe. Autocar sources have suggested that the Broadspeed Coupe name is being evaluated by MINI and BMW, in homage to the Broadspeed racing team that manufactured the 1966 Broadspeed GT Coupe, which was based on a Classic Mk1 Austin Mini Cooper S. Mini Broadspeed Coupe rumoured - Autocar.co.uk
The original classic Mini Broadspeed GT Coupe at Goodwood Festival (Photo: Surfblue)
This prototype Mini pictured below (MG badged version) was the closest BMC got to making a 2 seater Mini-based Roadster version and now resides at the Heritage Collection at Gaydon, shame it never made production................like the Mini it was based on, it would have been way ahead of its time: Projects ADO34, 35 and 36
"Active between 1960 and 1964, ADO34 was a project to develop a Mini-based roadster, which would logically have replaced the MG Midget and Austin-Healey Sprite. Different versions were put forward by Austin at Longbridge and MG at Abingdon, while a coupé version (ADO35) was also developed, along with Austin-Healey versions of each car (ADO36)."
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disregard my last paragraph. 
(Photo: Surfblue)
