Car of the Day - Mini Coupe Concept

Car of the Day - Mini Coupe Concept

Mini - or BMW that is, has carved a very successful niche for it’s contemporary retro brand. Unlike the original, which was a model within a brand, BMW are moving to significantly expand MINI as a stand alone manufcturer with a model line featuring a range of derivatives and variations on the theme. While Austin, Morris and Leyland had the Clubman, Cooper, Convertible, Wagon and Moke, BMW are about to add a Coupe and Speedster to those established names.

The Coupe was first shown to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009, less than a month after images were presented to press on 26 August 2009. That date was significant as it marked exactly the fiftieth anniversary of the original Alec Issigonis designed Mini being presented to the public.

Undoubtably, when finally released the Coupe will have a performance focus, and it will be strictly a two seater. Expect at least a 1.6-litre turbo in various states of John Cooper Works tune. Promised is a “driver’ focused car featuring lightweight construction and a lower centre of gravity. This compact two-seater measures 3,714 millimetres (146.2”) in length, 1,683 millimetres (66.3”) in width and is 1,356 millimetres (53.4”) high. With the current top of the line engine the raked windscreen chop top would have 155 kW/211 hp on tap and 260 Newton-metres/192 lb-ft of torque when utilsing the overboost function.

Practicality is not completely forgotten with a luggage capacity of 250 litres or 8.8 cu ft. To access this there is a large wide-opening tailgate. Hinged above the roof spoiler, the entire tailgate including the rear window swings up, coupled with a low loading sill, access is easy even for heavy and bulky objects. Not that it will be utilised for that sort of work much, it would be more like a couple of soft bags for a fun weekend away.

Rod Halligan