Mini Coupe Concept at 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
- Looks like: A Mini Cooper trying to be a coupe
- Defining characteristics: Roof-hinged liftgate, two seats, turbo four-cylinder engine, blue-and-silver paint scheme
- Ridiculous features: Roof-mounted spoiler, racing stripes
- Chance of being mass-produced: Wouldn't put it past 'em
Mini's Coupe Concept is a new take on the Cooper hatchback it currently sells in the U.S., and the automaker says it offers a glimpse of what future Minis may look like. It's scheduled to appear at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, which opens in mid-September.
The Coupe Concept is instantly recognizable as a Mini from the front, as its hood, headlights and grille are similar to those on a Cooper S. It isn't until you get to the roof where the Coupe Concept starts to differ from a Cooper; as its name suggests, the concept has the profile of a traditional coupe with its slanted rear window and short rear deck.
Unlike many coupes, though, the Coupe Concept doesn't have a traditional trunk. You open a liftgate to access the cargo area — just like in the Cooper. The concept has an 8.8-cubic-foot cargo area. That's larger than the 5.7-cubic-foot space the Cooper has behind its rear seats, but the concept benefits from not having a backseat at all.
The Coupe Concept is powered by the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder from the John Cooper Works edition of the Mini. In the concept, it's rated at 211 horsepower and 192 pounds-feet of torque.
The Mini Cooper has carved out a niche for itself in the U.S. as a premium hatchback, and a car like the Coupe Concept, if produced, is a smart way for the brand to branch out. It gives shoppers who don't like the look of a hatchback a reason to consider Mini.
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..that has to be one of the most adorable mini's yet!!...I vote to build it!...just like the Clubman it will sell!..Mini has been very succesful in the niche market..this will work too..and with no backseat and the JohnCooper Works turbo humming away..it should fly!..I personally would love to blow by a Mustang or Camaro through the 'twisties'!!!!
It looks like someone took a Cooper and smooshed it.
haha your right Billy never thought a mini could be smooshed anymore than they are. I say they build it. Id buy it
I don't know if I'm crazy but it looks to me like they took some Lotus designs, very vague, but I still notice it in the roof design. This car also looks a lot sportier then the current hatchback Mini.
I love it. the lines are perfect. mann, i dont know how mini does it, but it sure has the ability to build asthetically pleasing cars. the only thing that could make this car better would be rear-wheel-drive.
First thing I thought when I saw it was "Dodge Neon SRT-4"
I'm still debating whether I like it or not but at least it breaks from their previous designs in a significant way...
They'll build it even if public opinion says otherwise. That's what they did with the clubman and crossman. Mini entusiasts were not real happy about those two versions. Go Mini!
Great looking car! I could see this easily being a hit. Mini should deep six those silly racing stripes though.
The caption includes, "Ridiculous features: Roof-mounted spoiler, racing stripes" -- yet the text does not explain why these are considered ridiculous. Please explain. Keep in mind that "ridiculous" means deserving ridicule, absurd, or preposterous.
I absolutely love it! Would love to own one! I used to have the Cooper S convertible but had to sell it - I really miss it. Thish concept model is awesome!