BMW has released the first pictures of its MINI Coupé Concept, which will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show, exactly 50 years since the original Mini was presented to the public on August 26, 1959.
The two-seater is designed to be the most dynamic and agile MINI ever built, and incorporates lightweight construction. It is also intended to show the form that future additions to the MINI range might take. The company has a Crossover model in the final stages of development and Hatch, Clubman and Convertible models are already on sale.
At the front, the concept’s styling is pure MINI – in slightly revised form, but instantly recognisable – but the short, low roofline ends in a built-in spoiler atop a sloping tailgate. The roof is made of lightweight aluminium-alloy. Telegraph.co.uk
And with its light weight and low centre of gravity, it promises to be the most driver-oriented roadgoing MINI ever. The familiar front end is borrowed from the four-seater hatchback, but incorporates a number of unique touches to set it apart.
A high, gently rising waistline is nothing new for a MINI, but this show car combines it with an ultra-slim glass area and short overhangs for a powerful and stocky stance.
The interior is as extrovert as the exterior; slide into the cabin and the racy theme continues. Deeply bolstered sports seats are finished in a combination of woven leather strands and larger-stitched panels.
Under the air-scooped hood is a familiar engine – the 1.6-litre turbo from the MINI John Cooper Works. This kicks out 208bhp and 260Nm of torque, although the latter can climb as high as 280Nm for short bursts thanks to the overboost function. And due to its light weight, the Coupé should display even more devastating performance than the hatch or Convertible versions fitted with the same motor.
However, MINI hasn’t forgotten a car such as this can’t be exclusively focused on outright speed and dynamic ability – it needs an element of practicality, too. Which is why, with the rear seats removed, load capacity is up to a usable 250 litres – 40 litres less than in a TT. But to make the most of this luggage area, the entire tailgate hinges at the top of the roof spoiler, revealing a huge opening.
Officially, its maker says the Coupé is a “fascinating vision of how the MINI model family may continue”. But based on the cabin finish and practical, production-ready touches that have been built into the package, the car could be closer to the road than MINI is letting on. AutoExpress
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