The Rumored Lightweight MCS: Part 4

Sections: MF Feature | Rumor Sep 19th, 2005 48 Comments

Here we go with yet more details on the rumored (and looking more real everyday) lightweight MCS. The Automotive News breaks some juicy details in this week’s edition a potential power output and that all important question of price:

Bertone will build 2,000 units of a high-performance version of the Mini.

The two-seat Mini by Bertone will have a 225hp gasoline engine. It is expected to be sold worldwide at prices starting at about E30,000.

The BMW contract will help the Italian coachbuilder survive difficult times. Without the Mini deal Bertone would have no cars to build next year. It currently builds the Opel Astra convertible, but its successor, the Astra TwinTop, will be produced at Opel’s plant in Antwerp, Belgium, starting next year.

[ Bertone will build Lightweight MINI ] Automotive News

MF Analysis: A couple of nice new bits of info here. First off the 225hp number is a new one to me. This would indicate BMW will not only be lightening up the car but also massaging the JCW kit a bit to increase power output. And based on the info in our latest article (The Rumored Lightweight MCS Part 3), US sales are looking a little more probable.

It’s also nice to see a rumored price point finally mentioned. Now before everyone gets their currency calculators out, MINI typically sells cars in the US much lower than a straight currency conversion would indicate. So if the Euro price hits the 30k mark, I would speculate the US will see something just over $30,000 dollars. We should have more on this in the coming weeks…

Related

[ The Rumored Lightweight MCS Part 3 ] MotoringFile

[ The Rumored Lightweight MCS Part 2 ] MotoringFile

[ The Latest on the Rumored Lightweight MCS ] MotoringFile

Written By: Gabe

48 Comments

Lee L Sep 19th, 2005 Link

Oh, at $30,000 they will sell them in a minute. It will be interesting to see just how far they go in lightening things.

Ric Stofer Sep 19th, 2005 Link

Get in line folks, now would be a good time to visit your motoring advisor.

Bob Sep 19th, 2005 Link

At 30k, that’s hot.

KevinR Sep 19th, 2005 Link

Two seater, huh? So I wonder what the rear seat delete parts will look like.

Unfortunately, I predict a bidding war for these cars in the US (if they actually make it here).

Z4MINI Sep 19th, 2005 Link

“Oh, at $30,000 they will sell them in a minute. It will be interesting to see just how far they go in lightening things.”

It says 30,000 EURO…not dollars!!!!

Gabe Sep 19th, 2005 Link

“Oh, at $30,000 they will sell them in a minute. It will be interesting to see just how far they go in lightening things.”

It says 30,000 EURO…not dollars!!!!

Read the last paragraph and you’ll see what he was referring to. MINI doesn’t just do a straight currency conversion whem pricing US MINIs. For instance the Cooper S retails for 20,800 Euros. In the US it retails for $20,600 (despite the Euro being worth more).

minicoopermike Sep 19th, 2005 Link

Yeah, but guys the MCS sells in the UK for something like $30,000 US-equivalent stripped to the bone versus $20,000+ base here in the U.S. So I would go along with Gabe and say the Lightweight will be prolly be priced just over $30K, or $31-32K

John Sep 19th, 2005 Link

This is great news! Time to call the MA and have him start a new wait list…

MrV Sep 19th, 2005 Link

That’s alot cheaper than I thought it would go for. Everyone is right, at 30K these will be long gone with pre-orders way before they ever reach the showroom.

225 HP, with a lightened load will go like a rocket.

– Jay

Jeff Sep 19th, 2005 Link

Hmmm….not convinced this is still such a great car. With minimal weight savings efforts, the 225hp amount really isn’t too significant given we’re already hearing 230hp for the next gen JCW models. It’s also much easier to tweak additional hp from turbocharged cars, I’m beginning to think it might be better off to wait for an ‘07 JCW MCS.

Bob Sep 19th, 2005 Link

I don’t know if these will be gone in 60 seconds or not. I think the 2004 limited edition Monte Carlo JCW MCS didn’t sell too hot in the US. At least, HC Mini of Boston still has two of them which they are now discounting.

Gabe Sep 19th, 2005 Link

I don’t know if these will be gone in 60 seconds or not. I think the 2004 limited edition Monte Carlo JCW MCS didn’t sell too hot in the US. At least, HC Mini of Boston still has two of them which they are now discounting.

The MC40 failed (in terms of sales) because it was pre-specced with purely cosmetic options and mods – most of which you could get ala carte. It was also poorly optioned for most since it didn’t include a sunrooof yet had a $1000 dashboard.

This rumored lightweight will be a very different car.

Aaron Sep 19th, 2005 Link

I don’t think that it’s proper to compair the lightweight offering to the Monte Carlo MCS that was out a few years ago. The lightweight is a new product with options that you couldn’t just tick off on your order sheet. The Monte Carlo was just an option package that tacked a bunch of over-priced options into the same car (plus a few “unique” decals that were quickly replicated in the after-market).

Chris Sep 19th, 2005 Link

That price, does sound a little low. Here in the Netherlands I bought a Cooper S in June, with nice options, but no sun roof or works kit, and it came to 36k euro. In the UK would be a bit cheepr at around 30k for a nice spec. So how they can do a Works Plus on it and make it cheaper beats me.

Perhaps it is 30k euro extra, on top of the Cooper S basic ;-)

Gabe Sep 19th, 2005 Link

The Monte Carlo was just an option package that tacked a bunch of over-priced options into the same car (plus a few “unique” decals that were quickly replicated in the after-market).

Actually the MC40 wasn’t an “option package”. Granted an options package probably would have been a better idea. Because the car was specced as is and had no ability to add options, most passed it up.

tanya Sep 19th, 2005 Link

Unless they are going mid-engine, a la the R5 Turbo (improbable), then deleting the rear seat seems like a very lazy approach to trimming weight.

Edge Sep 19th, 2005 Link

Reading between the lines… if the additional HP gains in this car are designed/sanctioned by JCG and/or BMW… might we see another JCW upgrade option in the future, to boost from 207/210 to 225? :)

O(=^=)O Capn Sep 19th, 2005 Link

Again, Why would MINI need to outsource to build this? It seems that it would be more cost ineffective to outsource than to keep it in house. Transporting all the parts to a different mfg and such…

Gabe Sep 19th, 2005 Link

Again, Why would MINI need to outsource to build this? It seems that it would be more cost ineffective to outsource than to keep it in house.

The Oxford Plant is stretched beyond capacity currently. There’s no way they could take on a project like this – especially over the next year. Reportedly outsourcing was the only option.

Mark Sep 19th, 2005 Link

Off topic example of limited edition price gouging. The Ford dealer down the street from me (a small Chicago metro dealership) just got in a Ford GT. The guy who ordered it backed out, so it is for sale. MSRP 153k + “Market Adjustment” 56k = Final ASKING Price $209,000. Awesome car (it will be a collectible) and I guess if the market supports it then the dealer can get away with it. It will probably be the only one this small dealer will ever get. Hopefully the lightweight MCS won’t be getting 35% “Market Adjustments” when it comes out. Sorry for the non-Mini example.
After I test drove the Ford GT, I drove my Mini home and confirmed that I love my Mini more then the GT. Test drive…yeah right.