MINI Coupé previewed – four versions available at launch

MINI Coupé previewed – four versions available at launch

It’s not quite the official debut, but BMW has effectively introduced its upcoming MINI Coupé by means of a preview. The car, which was showcased in its concept form at the Los Angeles Auto Show back in 2009, will roll in as the first two-seater in the brand’s model range – the company says that it will promise unrivalled handling agility and the best performance figures of any model in the MINI line-up.

The design, which is also the first “three-box” MINI, features a flat, coupe silhouette with a GT-style rear end. Sitting 29 mm lower than the MINI, the Coupé features include a distinctive “helmet roof” with an integral roof spoiler and an active rear spoiler which deploys automatically at 80 kph to optimise airflow at higher speeds, as well as a high-opening tailgate and large luggage area with through-loading facility into the passenger compartment.

MINI Coupé previewed – four versions available at launch

At point of launch, the 3.728 metre-long car will be available in Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works variants, joined by a diesel version. Effectively, the Coupé forms will wear the 1.6 litre petrol engines seen in the current MINI range, with no revisions to the output.

As such, the Cooper’s NA four-cylinder fully variable valve management block delivers 122 hp at 6,000 rpm and 160 Nm at 4,250 rpm, and performance specs include a 0–100 kph time of 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 204 kph.

MINI Coupé previewed – four versions available at launch

Meanwhile, the Cooper S Coupé’s twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection mill has 184 hp at 5,500 rpm and 240 Nm at 1,600–5,000 rpm (260 Nm overboost) for output numbers, as well as a 6.9 seconds 0-100 kph sprint time towards a 230 kph top speed.

As for the JCW version, the 211 hp at 6,000 rpm and 260 Nm at 1,850–5,600 rpm (280 Nm overboost at 1,700–4,500 rpm) propels the car to the century in 6.4 seconds and takes it to 240 kph tops.

MINI Coupé previewed – four versions available at launch

The fourth model in the lineup will be the Cooper SD Coupé, which features a 2.0 litre common-rail injection turbodiesel mill that bags 143 hp at 4,000 rpm and 305 Nm at 1,750–2,700 rpm, a 7.9 seconds 0-100 kph time and a 216 kph top speed.

The car will come with a six-speed manual gearbox fitted as standard, with a six-speed Steptronic automatic tranny optional for the Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper SD versions.

MINI Coupé previewed – four versions available at launch

Other standard issues items are electric power steering and DSC, with Dynamic Traction Control with EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control) on the options list (the latter two comes standard on the John Cooper Works Coupé, of course).

The Cooper will come wearing 15-inch alloy wheels as standard, with the Cooper S and Cooper SD versions getting 16-inch wheels. As for the JCW Coupe, that one will come specified with 17-inch, weight-optimised alloy wheels in JCW Cross Spoke Challenge styling.

A very large gallery of hi-res photos await you after the jump.

[zenphotopress number=999 album=2291]

GALLERY: MINI Coupe Concept

[zenphotopress number=99 album=451]

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • rifle on Jun 06, 2011 at 9:22 pm

    1 word
    WOW!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • shawal on Jun 06, 2011 at 9:23 pm

    get yourself a used MINI from Motor Trader and a chainsaw , DIY and save yourself thousands of ringgit , no one can tell the difference

    an excellent example :

    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Mini_Red_Bull_Mi?dzyzdroje1.JPG

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  • i don’t get the batik ish motive in the back..

    nice Mini, but I wonder what will the smaller Mini look like?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Out of Luck on Jun 06, 2011 at 10:40 pm

      The ‘batik’ is actually a more stylish disguise material used like in every spyspot we saw in local cars. I think our local cars manufacturer uses masking tape material for disguises.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • mini cooper freak on Jun 06, 2011 at 9:54 pm

    Looks like a rival to the Peugeot RCZ.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • klguy on Jun 06, 2011 at 10:08 pm

    mini family is expanding. so when can we expect a sedan?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • LOLOLOLOLOLOLOcaust on Jun 07, 2011 at 3:48 am

      stretch mini coupe into 4-door limo, and you made a sedan!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • hating hatchbacks on Jun 07, 2011 at 3:57 am

      when can we expect an M coupe for Mini?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • vansgoh on Jun 06, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    cute, look like mini porsche…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • sheesh, draw snake then add legs

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • afeef on Jun 06, 2011 at 11:55 pm

    yea this is the modern version of the old wolseley hornet!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • afeef on Jun 07, 2011 at 5:40 pm

      aik? why i get thumbs down? never see wolseley hornet before ah? its the old version of mini but have bonnet like sedan lor

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  • LatukBandar on Jun 07, 2011 at 5:42 am

    What’s next? Mini Limo? Mini Truck? Mini Lori?

    Mini ain’t mini when it is not mini in form.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • sfssd on Jun 07, 2011 at 9:05 am

    There’s already a car for this, the Miata…..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • TFazuin on Jun 07, 2011 at 9:11 am

    Looks exacty like a mini sports car I saw last time parked at Thai Bar, I think it was a 700cc Mazda.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • armandd on Jun 07, 2011 at 9:44 am

    So stylo lah!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • be cool on Jun 07, 2011 at 9:47 am

    erk.. not nice at all!! ugly!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Fazzurri on Jun 07, 2011 at 10:12 am

    What happen to BMW design??… I thought new 1 series is ugly enough but then walla.. The new chopped down MINI.. Are their designer don’t have enuf sex lately??? No MOJO at all..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Rizal on Jun 07, 2011 at 11:10 am

    One word to describe this car…

    UGLY!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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