The Latest on the Rumored Lightweight MCS

Sections: MF Feature | Rumor Aug 25th, 2005 33 Comments

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The lightweight MCS is just one of thosoe rumors that doesn’t seem to go away. Paul over at MINI2 has been adamant (in the face of some skepticism) that it will be built and released before the current generation car is out of production. Yet we’ve seen very little mention of it in the standard automotive press and I have yet to hear any specific rumors myself.

Now it would appear that Edmunds.com has picked up the story from MINI2 and added a few wrinkles. Here’s an excerpt:

A Mini enthusiast Web site says the lightweight Cooper S will probably be announced at the Frankfurt auto show next month, and the model will be a strictly limited edition probably 2,000 cars worldwide.

Weight savings of around 15 percent have been made by using carbon-fiber body panels, a stripped-down interior with racing-style seats, acrylic rather than glass windows, and lighter door casings, side panels and dashboard.

[ Current Mini Will Go Out With a Bang ] Edmund’s Inside the Line

Interestingly I also heard my first bit of direct rumor on this model just yesterday as well. While none of it’s confirmed and I certainly would put this in the category of rumor, it’s interesting nonetheless. Here’s what I was told; MINI will indeed be producing this car during the 2006 model year. It will be introduced this fall and also seen at the MINI United event (as I had guessed awhile back). Basic MINI bodies will shipped from the Oxford plant to another location where they will be finished with copious amounts of carbon fiber or aluminum (possibly including that mysterious carbon bonnet seen recently) and a full array of JCW components. Apparently the car is being described internally as the MINI CSL.

[ Limited Edition Lightweight MCS Coming? ] MotoringFile

[ More Limited Edition Light Weight Cooper S Rumours ] MINI2

Written By: Gabe

Rob Rudorf

I can envision a $45,000 MINI.
GSKChicago

Pardon my ignorance, but how much of a difference in speed and performance could a 15% weight reduction actually produce? CF is not cheap, so the question is can one outfit a current stock MCS with aftermarket mods to add power that will produce the same or similar results for less money than a CF heavy MCS would cost?
Wraith

ah great, CSL. thats BMW speak for there is NO WAY it is coming to the US.
http://www.kimmelshue.com Chris Kimmelshue

If we take an average S @ 2700 lbs (dry) and take away 15% – it’s now at 2295 lbs (dry) – that’s 405 lbs less to move. Combine this weight loss with more power and it should make for one mean MINI.

I think most of the advantage of this machine over your average S will be with respect to handling, braking, and exclusivity.

The M3 CSL sold in limited quantity RoW (Rest of World) – but was only marginally quicker than your average M3 despite the use of carbon fiber bits. The greatest improvements were in the handling and braking departments. BMW gave the M3 CSL a modest boost in hp (360 vs. 333 bhp), but despite the almost 400 lb weight advantage – the CSL was only a few tenths quicker to 60 and in the quarter mile.
Timothy Sipples

I wonder if it’ll have crank handle windows.
JiminVirginia

405 pounds would be huge. I bet they don’t come close to this in actual implementation. But it would be a panic to drive if they do…
Scott

GSK – Here’s some numbers…

15% off of 2800 lbs. is 420 lbs. From 2800 to 2380 lbs and from 13.3 lbs/hp to 11.3 lbs/hp – that’s a big difference. That’s based on 210 hp. I’d think it would save approx. 3/4 – 1 second off 0-60.
Wraith

from previous rumors i’ve heard about this car, it’s supposed to have a bit more power than the JCW’s 207. don’t know if this means it’ll be an 215, 220, who knows, but i’m pretty sure i remember reading on MINI2 about this car having more power than the JCW.
http://www.detailingconcepts.com matt

with a 15% weight reduction and modest boost in power over JCW i’d expect the performance to be outstanding. yeah, i’ll buy that for a dollar.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

It may be worth mentioning that JCW released 225bhp and 265bhp kits for Motorsport (off-road use) last year. However they’ve since pulled the kits from the online parts catalog. Here’s the MotorngFile story on the kits from last year: JCW Introduced 225hp and 265hp Kits

However I would be surprised if this MINI ‘CSL’ has much over the standard 210bhp JCW kit power figures.
http://nemini.org gmini

I have heard no rumour that it will be offered in the US. Only contrary. Expect to spend well over $45k to get this baby in your garage. Even if it is sold at dealers.

But if it sells well, and they’ve got the supply chain set up, later lightweight models are feasable.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Yeah, as I’ve said in the past, the likelihood of a model like this coming to the US is not good.
NewMiniOwner

I recently heard that Herb Chambers in Boston is now willing to discount their still unsold 2004 special edition MCS… apparently they have two of them.
anonymous

The guys from FireBallTim Racing is working with MiniUSA on a all Carbon Fiber Body Dragster Cooper set to run in Phoenix, AZ this October. Nick Named M600 – Twin Charge (Turbo with Supercharger) – rumored to have over 500+ WHP!!!!!!! Wonder if thats gonna be a launch promo with the special edt.
http://www.TheOfficeMaven.com Mike (The Office Maven)

CAN YOU SAY WEIGHT WEENIE…

Who wants a stripped down car that’s crazy over priced and is no fun whatsoever to drive on your daily commute? Personally, I’m glad to hear that it will never make it to the U.S. Since most Americans are shockingly overweight, why don’t we all just get into better shape, loose 100 lbs, buy some after market performance parts for our fully loaded JCW MINI’s and we’ll all have a car that’s just as fast and is much more fun to drive than the silly MINI CSL.

Oh, and don’t forget to leave your shoes at home if you REALLY want to save the pounds and win those drag races. :-)

Oy!
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Mike – I think we can now officially call you the lightweight police!

While I typically agree with you that saving 10-15 pounds here or there is pretty meaningless… 400-500 pounds would represent a significantly better performing car. Especially for the track!
http://www.TheOfficeMaven.com Mike (The Office Maven)

Yes Gabe I agree with you… However, “for the track” are the key words here. As a daily driver (which 99.99% of all MINI’s in the U.S. are), this car makes no sense whatsoever (and is probably why it won’t be offered in the U.S. – well, that and the fact that it probably wouldn’t meet U.S. safety regulations after having all of the lightweight parts added on, other parts removed, etc.).

Sorry to bring down the party on this one. I just get a real kick out of all this lightweight garbage. Heck if most Americans cared one bit about weight, the SUV and pickup truck wouldn’t be our best selling vehicles. It’s obvious from our vehicles of choice (and from our waistlines) that most Americans don’t give one hoot about weight. :-)
CooperSAZ

I think this would be a great idea, if you can get ahold of one! Also, I would be interested to see how practical it is for the everyday commute. (e.g. acrylic instead of glass windows)

Two thumbs up though, 400+ lbs would be dramatic!
minicoopermike

It would be even better if MINI could build a lightweight MCS without much in the way of CF perhaps using other materials along with the deletion of the rear seats, A/C, some electronic aids, etc – things they’ve probably already thought about. OK maybe have a few CF parts but that way the price wouldn’t be driven way up. Sure it’s a limited edition and should cost more but not be 2-3 times the price of an MCS.
Mini2Go

While I agree that more than a few Americans would do well to shed some weight from their person, it is certainly not applicable to everyone looking to save weight for performance. …Most people think I could stand to GAIN a few pounds.

I also agree with Gabe’s remark that this is a substantial reduction which would be a noticeable performance gain – but don’t think I would want to shell out the clams at the expected price range.
http://www.detailingconcepts.com matt

Mike,

most? daily driver? you may want to re-read the article. IF MINI builds it the suggestion is that they’d build only 2,000. in the grand scheme of volume manufacture that’s not very many. it’s less than 1% of total Mini sales volume. i think it’ll be fine.

no, this product if made a reality will be for a niche that wants the ultimate factory track BMW MCS. this will be a glorious exercise in excess for the monied gearhead.

frankly, if i had the cash i’d buy one.
http://www.coma.ms ScottinBend

The biggest obstacle for getting this car to the US would be the crash-testing req’d. With a carbon fiber bonnet and acrylic windows, there is no way that it could meet the req’s. Maybe if they offered them as an option for “off-road” use only it might become a reality here.

Nice car, but unfortunately never to be in the US.
http://www.TheOfficeMaven.com Mike (The Office Maven)

Matt,

Point well taken. I’m off my lightweight soapbox now. :)
O(=^=)O Capn

But what color will it be in. Some thing says to me that if they build a car like this and it only comes in one color it would be red. The two colors that I think that it should come in would be British RACING Green in ode to John Cooper for his F1 and red for the Monte Carlo.
The other anonymous

“The guys from FireBallTim Racing is working with MiniUSA on a all Carbon Fiber Body Dragster Cooper set to run in Phoenix, AZ this October. Nick Named M600 – Twin Charge (Turbo with Supercharger) – rumored to have over 500+ WHP!!!!!!! Wonder if thats gonna be a launch promo with the special edt.”

Is this the same CF bodied dragster that MINI showed at Lime Rock last year?
minimc

I’ve shed some 20lbs. this year… am back down to my high-school 165lbs. So I guess I’m bucking the heavy-weight big car trend in more ways than one.

I’d be jazzed to have an equally svelt MCS!

15% weight reduction + Carbon fiber body panels [Homer Simpson voice] drooooooooool

8>)
ron

Now from left field:

a weight reduction of 400 lbs could me i could tow a 1600 lb trailer behind my mini.
http://Coopersport.ca Jason

Guaging by the sq. in. cost of the JCW Carbon Fiber Bonnet Scoop and Mirror Covers I can only IMAGINE how much the bill will come to for all the body panels!

And then, after someone double mortgages their house to get one, they’re supposed to TRACK the thing. Don’t think so. Think I’d have it under armed guard while doing the local grocery run!

J.
Kyle

MINI CSL… drool… what I would do to own one of those…
Greg W

I agree with previous comments – some markets will not take this car because of compliance and safety issues. Crash test results are required in some markets. Mini colors – John Cooper’s F1 (including drivers Jack Brabham and Bruse McLaren)racing team and Minis were his traditional dark green with white stripes. visit http://www.johncooper.co.uk The BMC Factory Competition Dept who set up the rally cars for the Monte Carlo events were painted the traditional red body and white roof, as were other BMW models used for rallying.
Greg W

Oops…spelling error – BRUCE McLaren, and BMC models not BMW. The fingers and brain do not co-ordinate properly at this time of the day!
Garrett

Dont forget everyone for every 100 pounds of weight that you loose, you will knock off 1/10th in the 1/4 mile.
http://www.TheOfficeMaven.com Mike (The Office Maven)

Dont forget everyone for every 100 pounds of weight that you loose, you will knock off 1/10th in the 1/4 mile.

My bicycle must be fast as all get out then since it only weighs in at a whopping 43 pounds.

That puts me at one heck of a 1/4 mile time. WOW! I can’t wait to race my peeps. :-)

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