BMW confirms MINI coupe and another car headed for production

[MarketMaster]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/3-4-front-1280_opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/03/bmw-confirms-mini-coupe-and-another-car-headed-for-production-in/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/p90047088_highres.jpg

http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/mini-coupe-concept/#35
BMW Chairman Norbert Riethofer paid a visit to the Mini factory in Oxford England this week to inform staff members that they will soon have two new cars to build. The first confirmed model for production is the Coupe concept that was previewed online last week (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/officially-official-happy-50th-its-the-mini-coupe-concept/) ahead of its Frankfurt Motor Show (http://www.autoblog.com/category/frankfurt-auto-show/) rollout. The Coupe will be joined by a second concept at the show which in all likelihood will be the oft-rumored speedster version of the coupe.

Reithofer did not announce any timing for when production of the new models would start production. Also unknown at this time is whether the Coupe and Speedster will be available only in John Cooper Works form or in base Cooper and S flavors as well. We'll just have to look over the press release after the jump and wait until Frankfurt to find out.


I actually like this car, a lot! click the pic for more.

[Spoolin']

That would be a pretty cool dd.

[custom32]

Woof!

[Serious]

kinda funny looking but I think I like it.

[mvancE30]

idk im up in the air about it. I always liked how the hatch mini looked.

[Charlie]

Wow...I actually really like that.

-Charlie

[halmotors]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/3-4-front-1280_opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/03/bmw-confirms-mini-coupe-and-another-car-headed-for-production-in/)

I'd be more enthusiastic about the looks of this car if it didn't look as if it were wearing a hat. The transition from the roof to the rear window needs to be smoother, and body-colored, instead of that horrid white.

[Charlie]

I'd be more enthusiastic about the looks of this car if it didn't look as if it were wearing a hat. The transition from the roof to the rear window needs to be smoother, and body-colored, instead of that horrid white.

The white is a throwback thing they do. You can usually choose white, black or body colored roofs when you spec a car out.

-Charlie

[halmotors]

Still doesn't fix the fact that it has a choppy transition on the rear edge of the roof.

[FredK]

So, it looks like a slightly cooler version of the VW EOS, the most uselessly overpriced car on the market?

[spoonerDee]

the rear is disgusting. The front is ok but the back needs to be rounded down, not the sudden drop, looks like poop.

[boosted475]

I'm not sure what to think of it...I would agree though that the rear is not so good looking...

[flyimages]

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1086980&icid=autos_0909005&GT1=22017


:eyecrazy

http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/Media/580x348/6b/6b2bedd913ed4da6860776f2b06e2c80.jpg

[540]

Min Copper is this the new model?

[bimmershark]

Min Copper is this the new model?


yeah no aluminum , now built with copper

[NoOtherOptions]

Pretty neat, loks like a cross between a G35, and a TC.

[ecrouse]

Screw headroom, let's make it look sporty...

[EThirtySicks]

Tha fuck? Voted: still ugly

[Kuane]

doesn't matter the world will end in 2012

[cabezon]

So now is the time to buy copper?

[DrewDude320i]

head on, it looks like an SRT-4...which isn't a good thing. Overall ugly.

[Walki600]

Looks like its wearing a backwards hat...

[einzlr]

So now is the time to buy copper?Now is the time to steal it. Haven't you heard?

And OP, the link doesn't work :help

[alanhenson]

Wow I like it.

[Luftwaffe1O1]

Looks like ass. Is it just me, or does it look like they recycled the Z3 or Z4 hardtop to use as the roof?

[SeattleBMW325i]

double fail in the name.

I think it's ugly as shit. The last one was cool because it looks like the old one, if it came out on its own, I'm not sure I would have liked it.

[Ace M3]

I kinda dig it

[luke318is]

judging by the windshield and height of the roof...

...this car will be exclusively made for Gary Coleman

[mazur]

FAIL!


You cannot change the height of the roof and the angles of the windshields and then just not touch anything else on the car. Makes it look like a bad photoshop.

[ken_vs_ryu]

nice dodge neon brah.

[ViniZaoD]

lol

finally, a car that my really really short friend will have trouble getting into.

[Terry F.]

Butt ugly and no headroom. Stupid car.

[tmaher]

It's a concept, possibly for 50th anny - a bit goofy looking, still FWD - what more needs to be said? Uh. why has BMW not embraced the whole - RWD = pushing the car motto they have always adhered to with the mini line?


Butt ugly and no headroom. Stupid car.Send this chap a beer! Right on dude!!

[joey v]

it looks WORSE blughaaaa!!

[atlfokus]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1298202

:shifty

my fred pwns urz.

[shift.shape]

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/9798/15222d1246002094evilcha.jpg

[SeattleBMW325i]

It's a concept, possibly for 50th anny - a bit goofy looking, still FWD - what more needs to be said? Uh. why has BMW not embraced the whole - RWD = pushing the car motto they have always adhered to with the mini line?

Send this chap a beer! Right on dude!!

Why you ask?

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9199/12411065hp3.png

Of course if they're gonna change it as much as they did in the concept they should ditch the FWD while they're at it.

[WoLF]

what a waste of copper!

[thebigred]

FAIL!


You cannot change the height of the roof and the angles of the windshields and then just not touch anything else on the car. Makes it look like a bad photoshop.

Thats exactly what i was thinking. the body below the windows looks exactly the same, they just squished the roof down and changed the angle of the windshield. I think the mini is cool as shit now. my dad actually was one of the first in houston to own one.

[MatteBlackCoupeDude]

Butt ugly and no headroom. Stupid car.

I agree with the man who has a fucking GORGEOUS clubman.

All the practicality is gone, the car is now ENTIRELY useless.

[Codeman]

The interior looks like ass.

[robisconfusedd]

How does this compare in weight with the normal mini cooper made out of aluminum? Does being made out of copper increase weight? Does this throw off it's reknown "good handling"?? Does copper allow for more chasis flex?

Im curious as to why they switched to copper.

[SeattleBMW325i]

How does this compare in weight with the normal mini cooper made out of aluminum? Does being made out of copper increase weight? Does this throw off it's reknown "good handling"?? Does copper allow for more chasis flex?

Im curious as to why they switched to copper.

Well it's minimum copper, so it might still be lightweight, but copper is pretty soft still is it not?

[G///ME]

looks like a r/c car

[m3cowboy]

Learn to write engrish Fob!

[teh Phil]

I like it.

[Foxtrot121]

How does this compare in weight with the normal mini cooper made out of aluminum? Does being made out of copper increase weight? Does this throw off it's reknown "good handling"?? Does copper allow for more chasis flex?

Im curious as to why they switched to copper.


You realize the whole copper thing was a joke....:nono

[SeattleBMW325i]

You realize the whole copper thing was a joke....:nono

Sarcasm is lost on the internet...He was joking too.

[///36M]

I'd buy it for my girl :dunno

[M3Alpine99]

Wow. I like it.

[yeomgon]

Jesus wtf

[mpower5266]

I would buy if I could get it with out paint. Then after a few years it would have a sexy green patina.

[Spetsnaz Op]

I'll take one if it is all black or gunmetal.

[CAJUN]

FAIL!


You cannot change the height of the roof and the angles of the windshields and then just not touch anything else on the car. Makes it look like a bad photoshop.

+1. Reminds of the PT Cruiser Vert.

[CreepinDeth]

$36,000

wow :eyecrazy

[Hugo]

ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[lennardlector]

i still like mine better.....

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/lennardlector/AUSTIN%20MINI/DSC_0761.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/lennardlector/AUSTIN%20MINI/CIMG4275.jpg

[mpower5266]

^ :drool:

[kornkid8600]

#1 Its not the new Mini Cooper
#2 its a CONCEPT
#3 this is known as the Mini Coupe as in its made for 2 people not 4, so this would be an additional model in the lineup if it ever comes.

[einzlr]

i still like mine better.....belly belly nice, lennardlector! There are a couple of 'em up here too, but they're kinda scruffy-looking lol

[MrBlah]

#1 Its not the new Mini Cooper
#2 its a CONCEPT
#3 this is known as the Mini Coupe as in its made for 2 people not 4, so this would be an additional model in the lineup if it ever comes.

it's confirmed that it's going into production, mini owners got an invitation to see video's on a private owners club site too

[Brashland]

Fix the toupe look and I'd like it.

[MrBlah]

changing the roof color should make the top rear look better

[NicoyAKinG]

if they have 300+ hp i would buy one

[kornkid8600]

it's confirmed that it's going into production, mini owners got an invitation to see video's on a private owners club site too


As the way its seen here? Unlikely. Production models always have some kind of tweaks done to it, but now putting this into the realm of BMW made Concepts, they don't usually change.

[MrBlah]

if they have 300+ hp i would buy one

they torque steer bad at stock hp, 300 would really need rwd

I got rid of my S because of the torque steer, even with an LSD it's really bad

[kornkid8600]

they torque steer bad at stock hp, 300 would really need rwd

I got rid of my S because of the torque steer, even with an LSD it's really bad

Maybe they can pull a Ford Focus RS. 300 hp Turbo 5, FWD. 8.26 on the Nurburgring, 4 seconds behind the E46 M3.

[BL Dozier]

can you say love affair

[MrBlah]

to all those that hate the roof, does the convertible version fix that?

I think the convertible version looks great, does not have that weird roof

http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/MINI-Roadster-Concept-14.jpg

[amd4me]

Does anyone know if these new models will be based on the current mini FWD platform or if they will be based on the 1 series?

[MrBlah]

they said mini platform with JCW power

if these were RWD or better yet AWD, with a BMW engine they would be HOT I dont think i could resist that temptation

Having owned a R56, I'm not really interested in another mini with that powerplant and torque steer

[Le Nitro]

I c no srt-4 in that what so ever...

[Mr Two]

Pretty sure they are FWD :(

If they were AWD, oh damn that would be awesome.