MINI Speedster Approved for Production?

Sections: R58 (Roadster) Apr 6th, 2009 83 Comments

Our sources are telling us that BMW has quietly approved the much rumored MINI speedster that has been on the drawing boards since 2001. The exclusive sketch above (drawn in 2001 as a proposed concept) illustrates the path MINI will likely take with this car. The car will likely have a fabric top (with an optional removable hard top) with two roll bars behind the occupants giving the car a sleek sporty look.

The car will be based on the R56 but will have it’s own design look that will be decidedly more angular and aggressive than what we’ve seen so far from MINI’s production cars. Engines will include updated versions of the current 1.6L Petrol units currently found in the MINI range.

We’ll have more information on this new concept in the weeks ahead.

Written By: Gabe

83 Comments

BSUCardinalfan Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Please be rear wheel drive….otherwise, I’m getting a Z2.

(and, really, what’s the point of a front wheel drive two seat roadster, anyway?)

Jack Grouell Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Maybe it will be AWD?

Peter Braun Apr 6th, 2009 Link

That’s what I’m talking about! Next, a moke!

alpinamike Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Cant wait to see a mule MINI sportster, speedster. This was one of my fav. drawings from 2001.

eager2own Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Now we’re talking!! Great news!

viley Apr 6th, 2009 Link

YES! YES! YES! For once MINI read my mind. Goodbye first gen(I was holding on to mine for the Z2), give me one of these in the non-S with a hardtop, heated seats and nothing else and im ready to go!

snid Apr 6th, 2009 Link

@Jack Grouell: (and, really, what’s the point of an all wheel drive two seat roadster, anyway?)

JonPD Apr 6th, 2009 Link

No chance that it will be rear wheel or AWD I would imagine. They are likely to end up using the R56 chassis. I also strongly doubt it will come with a hardtop as an option, I am betting on a cloth top only.

Still hands down one of the more exciting info to come from Mini in a while for me. Now only have to hope they leave the silly top down meter out of it.

BSUCardinalfan Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Don’t forget they just announced the Z2, a BMW roadster that will use a version of the JCW engine. And you can be sure it will be rear wheel drive.

I think (hope) the MINI version will be a slightly detuned and restyled version of that car.

And yeah, I don’t want it all wheel drive, either. A small roadster should be rear wheel drive, light, and just enough power to steer it with the throttle.

viley Apr 6th, 2009 Link

JonPD: yeah, definetly not awd, but mid engine maybe?

As for the hard top, I think a removable porsche boxter type one is totally viable, and great option for autoX

lavardera Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Nice!

However I would guess they are still trapped by the dimensional rules that raised the height of the R56 nose. If I remember correctly it was pegged on the distance between the engine and the hood. Any chance they could rotate the top of the engine back into space gained by moving the seating rearwards, and end up with a lower front end?

lavardera Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Cloth top does not interest me, but I wonder if there is any chance of a coupe. I’d love to see them do a Targa.

Ted Apr 6th, 2009 Link

This is cool. I have planned to build this from an R52 or R57. I guess I will have to build mine before the official one comes out.

FactoryJCW Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Fantastic news, but why do people keep wishing for rear-drive MINIs? the classic Mini popularised front drive for small cars, so front-drive is part of MINI’s brand identity. Rear drive is never going to happen, sorry.

But back to the Speedster – AT LAST! glad MINI is returning to small. fun cars instead of building bigger MINIs, and that it will have unique styling (when they could have just adapted the rear of the R57) Can’t wait to see it.

Doug Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Great news.

Michael Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Glorious Idea.

GregW Apr 6th, 2009 Link

A Mini rear-wheel-drive? Are you nuts BSUCardinalfan? Whats the point of having a MINI then? FWD cars were made to save space and length of the car. You may as well go back to the fifties and have 20 foot long 2 door coupes. All you have to do is take the softop off the convertible and give it a tonneau cover.

veggivet Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Excellent news!! If it’s mid-engine mounted, all the better!

lilcoopr Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Niceeeeee – very niceee!!

I’m excited :) Can’t wait to hear more about this!!

Sideways Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Awe…Crap…how much is this gonna cost me to insure???

greg Apr 6th, 2009 Link

I vowed to keep my R52 cabrio until the next generation in 2012. I can’t believe this could be ready for the R56. If they do this right I’ll grab the first JCW version they make.

Jay Hill Apr 6th, 2009 Link

OMG that would be soooo sweet… then i wont buy an Elise!

Dr Obnxs Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Just a guess, but economics would seem to drive this to be a different body on top of a lightly modified R56 chassis. So, FWD..

Remember the 1990s Elan? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Elan#1990s_Elan

Matt

CraigE Apr 6th, 2009 Link

I agree with Dr Obnxs. It would be prohibitively expensive to do anything other than modify the existing R56/R57 platform. So this means no RWD, no AWD and no mid engine. It would be cool if they made a 2 seat coupe out of it, like BMW did with the Z3 and Z4.

A very large proportion of R50, R52, R53 and R56 owners never use the back seat for human passengers. So the loss of back seat should not be a big problem.

therover413 Apr 6th, 2009 Link

This will be my next MINI for sure, not sure if I should let the wife to be know this, could cause problems planning the whole kid thing though.

I hope it is front drive, JCW motor, and lighter than the R56. That would be a recipe for success.

And I am with Peter braun, bring back the MOKE!!!!!!!

Bruce Nelson Apr 6th, 2009 Link

I just looked and CraigE is right… my R53 does have a back seat! When did that happen?! The Speedster makes up for not making a R56 GP. Nice design.

Liam Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Tres cool!

RWD or AWD would be fantastic, but unlikely for all the reasons already mentioned.

Thanks for the scoop Gabe.

Miniadventures Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Please Please Please put the supercharger with AWD in this one! There is nothing that sounds like it or kicks you in the pants like it!

SFRedMCc Apr 6th, 2009 Link

My previous car, a Honda del sol with FWD and a small removable hard top that fit it the trunk was the perfect solution for an relatively inexpensive roadster. It was only 2″ longer than a Miata, but had much more leg room and interior space, and 2-3 times as much trunk space. Plus, who really wants a canvas top when you live in an urban area?

that.guy Apr 6th, 2009 Link

FWD will be a very hard sell outside of the poseur market segment.

Fred Apr 6th, 2009 Link

And without the rear seats, it will cost $2K less than its brethren!

Wetworth Apr 6th, 2009 Link

I would be very intrested in a roadster, provided it’s light and RWD. I know that’s not in line with the old Minis but I wouldn’t be interested in a FWD roadster. ::shrug::

Wetworth Apr 6th, 2009 Link

…dosn’t BMW own the Triumph name?

Revhed Apr 6th, 2009 Link

In last week’s UK magazine Autocar they interviewed Adrian van Hooydonk – when asked about the MINI Roadster he replied:

“Whether there’s room for two open cars in the range is debatable. It’s all very difficult because it’s all theoretical.”

Pete Apr 6th, 2009 Link

Dear MINI: THIS is more like it! Forget bigger Clubmans!

JonPD Apr 6th, 2009 Link

For an good example at the ability of a FWD car go watch this.

http://jalopnik.com/5200822/jason-platos-epic-btcc-sliding-save

A rear wheel drive car would have been a loss, there are bonuses to both build types. I also imagine that the same logic that has determined to never make a FWD BMW will go down the same path as deciding to not make a RWD Mini.

GregW Apr 6th, 2009 Link

You are right JonPD, It is not in BMWs philosophy to make a FWD BMW. Closest to it is the XDrive. But VW changed from the old Beetle RWD to new FWD. Will there ever be a FWD Porsche? Bet not.

Eelke Apr 7th, 2009 Link

How come “everybody” “hates” the R60 cross-over, but loves the idea of a mid-engined, RWD speedster? That’s just as a-typical for Mini.

Liam Apr 7th, 2009 Link

Because in their purest forms, the roadster concept is about classic motoring fun, the crossover is about maximising sales on the back of a current trend.

Robert Apr 7th, 2009 Link

If BMW/MINI is looking and reading our comments, This post on MOTORINGFILE has had more positive comments than anything I’ve seen in the last couple of years!

Finally they listen to US!

Gabe Apr 7th, 2009 Link

@Jack Grouell: If it’s based on the R56 as our sources claim it’ll be FWD exclusively.

Jason Apr 7th, 2009 Link

I am fine w/ FWD, just don’t make it too expensive, and this will be my next MINI; where do I sign up?

lavardera Apr 7th, 2009 Link

I think if its a Mini (and not a Triumph) then it should be fwd. But I hope its more than reskinning the back of the R57. First, the R57 is heavier than the R56, and this car should move towards being lighter. Second, if its R57 from the seats forward its not going to really have a new profile. But it would be able to share a whole host of parts with the R55,56,57…

Heres hoping for a rotated engine position, and the drivers seat moved rearward.

Jon Apr 7th, 2009 Link

I’m a fan of this car, no doubt. I have no problem with the idea of it being RWD. This should be MINI’s version of a true, two-seat sports car, (their Miata, their MGB, their Boxter).

I think it would actually attract more hardcore sports car enthusiasts if it were RWD. If it stays FWD, that crowd would write it off as a phony, and rightly so.

Cool Car Parts Online Feeds » Blog Archive » Rumormill: MINI Speedster said to be on the way… again Apr 7th, 2009 Link

[...] reasonable fuel economy, and an attainable price tag? Now that’s an idea we can get behind.[Source: MotoringFile]Rumormill: MINI Speedster said to be on the way… again originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 [...]

cct1 Apr 7th, 2009 Link

I seriously doubt it’ll be RWD, it’d cost too much to develop, and wouldn’t make much sense with the Z2 in the pipeline. It’ll be substantially cheaper than the Z2, and not quite the performance beast as a Z2.

Mid engine? Don’t see it happening, again it would take too much RandD, more than I think BMW would be willing to put into it. And be very careful what you ask for. Ever tried to do any work on a midengine car? Something as easy as an oil change can be extremely painful. No thanks. It’s the major reason I don’t own an Elise–they’re just too damned hard to work on. That, and the nearest dealer being 2.5 hours away…

Blahoogle Automobile - The Quickest Way to Explore the World Automobile Everyday » Rumormill: MINI Speedster said to be on the way… again Apr 7th, 2009 Link

[...] [Source: MotoringFile] [...]

BSUCardinalfan Apr 7th, 2009 Link

simply put, a FWD two seat roadster might sell a few units, but not to very many enthusiasts. I’d buy a Miata, used Z3, or a Z2 WAY before I’d buy what would essentially be just a less practical MINI Cabrio.

If they want this car to be more than just a stylish Honda Del Sol/Mercury Capri, it NEEDS to be a rear wheel drive sports car. Base it off the Z2 but with a detuned engine and less expensive interior, and call it a Triumph TR3 or something.

Name one successful front wheel drive two seat roadster. I can’t think of any.

JonPD Apr 7th, 2009 Link

Guys FWD isn’t the worse thing, I would take a light weight FWD anytime over a heavier RWD. On the track my R53 has abused a great many RWD cars. Go back to Gabe’s old track days videos in his and watch him play havoc with M3’s. In the autocross world more than one FWD has been competitive.

I think what we will see if a FWD Mini speedster and a RWD Z2, both going after similar markets. Although in ways I would like to see the Z2 and the Speedster share their chassis however I feel the Z2 is going to be a larger and heavier car. My greatest hope is they figure out something to do with the upright front-end (not one of my favorite looks on the R56). I know they say this is due to European pedestrian standards, however I have some questions about this rule…. Zonda, Ferrari, Porsche, Lotus all of which seem to sell plenty of cars that fly into the face of this. This is something I still fail to understand

greg Apr 7th, 2009 Link

I liked the Del Sol. I like the concept of a coupe with a targa top. I’m no engineer but wouldn’t this type of car have the rigidity of a coupe and therefore not need the extra weight creating components of a cabrio.

Sound like question for Doc Ob.

Since my Mini is my “toy” car this would be perfect for me. I will be very interested in watch this develop as opposed to another Mini station wagon zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

BSUCardinalfan Apr 7th, 2009 Link

greg – you liked the Del Sol, but it certainly wasn’t a car that cared to be driven with much enthusiasm.

I’ve never seen a del sol running competitively at an autocross, and that is exactly where a MINI speedster needs to be.

I’m not saying FWD can’t be fast and competitive with RWD….but drive a Miata, then drive a MINI. The Miata is still more fun. I have the MINI because it is fun, fast, and practical. when you throw out practical and are left with fun and fast, then you can’t compromise on driving dynamics.

We’ll all have to wait and see, but a FWD two seater seems like a guaranteed failure to me.

Jack Mosher Apr 7th, 2009 Link

I want this in my life… SO much… the JCW variants would be pretty hot, no doubt.

JonPD Apr 7th, 2009 Link

Don’t get me wrong BSU, I actually greatly prefer RWD cars. I still think though that Mini has done an excellent job to date developing cars that handle better than a majority of the market. If they develop this car with very lite weight and awesome handling I think they would sell a ton of them to people that are looking for something much more iconic than the Miata.

lavardera Apr 7th, 2009 Link

the illustration at the top of the page looks like a mid-engine car because its like an R57 with the rear decked over. This configuration does not make sense. There will be plenty of storage back there, but too much the same old Mini up front. They have to move the cabin back, lower the top of the engine by rotating it, and lower the front end, and lower the whole look of the car. The rotation will put the cg of the engine a little further back, and lower. With that and the driver further back it should be easier to tune the car to hang its tail out. In the end I think they can tune the car to handle better than the proceeding coupes. And frankly satisfying the enthusiasts won’t sell enough cars to make this worthwhile. They have to strike a balance between working with existing drivetrain bits, and stacking the physics towards better performance than the other Minis.

accel Apr 7th, 2009 Link

Looking at the picture I do envision mid engine RWD roadster.

Just like the latest Toyota MR was based on Toyota Corolla components.

Seriously, what are you expecting from the rear part of that vehicle? It does not look like a trunk. It reminds me more of MR2, MRS, Elise engine cover.

cct1 Apr 7th, 2009 Link

Jon, apparently the target weight of the Z2 is 2200. That’s pretty darned good, and I doubt the Mini roadster will be that much lighter.

Geez, for the first time in recorded history I actually agree with Lava. I don’t think this car will be marketed with the enthusiast in mind; I think that’s going to be the Z2’s niche. But BMW still has the opportunity to make an iconic type car that will have appeal to a small (but big enough to be worth it IMHO) niche of people who want a quirky, fun car but aren’t necessarily going to track it (and lets face it, most of those folks driving Miata’s aren’t driving them that hard). I could see this being a success IF the price is right, and if it’s marketed correctly.

I suspect it’s going to be a relatively limited number of vehicles produced; given that it would make more sense for it to follow the R56 platform as close as possible to make it economically viable.

JonPD Apr 7th, 2009 Link

Jeez, consensus between Lav and cct1, what is the world coming to ;), even worse I actually agree with both of you on most points, with one exception. I doubt they would look at limited production as a new development takes a lot of cars sold to offset the development, so I am betting Mini will only produce this if there is a viable market that would offset the cost of production as quick as possible.

Hands down, I would buy the car as drawn in the original 2001 drawing on this article. I do get a lot of humor that this article has over 50 replies and a generally positive spin, while the R60 articles are still minimal commented on and a huge lighting rod for a lot of people. Wonder if anybody at BMW/Mini notices this??

cct1 Apr 7th, 2009 Link

I guess it’s how you look at it. If BMW follows the R56 platform closely, I really don’t think they’ll need to sell too many to offset the RandD. It’s really a low risk proposition provided they keep it as similar to the R56 as possible–it’s not so much a new development, which IS very expensive to develop, as an evolution of a current development, which really isn’t that difficult to do (relatively speaking).

I suspect it’ll be more like a model variant of the R56 rather than something brand spanking new. And, if they were smart, this was in the back of their minds to begin with (like the R56 convertible), and will be a seamlees transition to production, rather than an afterthought (like the R53 convertible) with all the inherent difficulties and compromises that ensued…

JonPD Apr 7th, 2009 Link

I am sure there is going to be a lot of shared components, however even production variations as simple as the GP cost a manufacture a lot of money, let alone some new sheet metal that will be needed.

Paul Graziano Apr 7th, 2009 Link

I think the idea is to get more models out of the existing platform, so I don’t see how RWD or mid-engine fits into that.

If they can improve the horrible R56 dash for this car – this might actually get be back into a MINI showroom, but I suspect that’s unlikely. I’m betting this will be 100% R56 from the seats forward – except for maybe a different angle on the windshield.

My selfish desire would be to see them put a whole new body on this car with MINI underpinnings, lean the design cues back towards the TR6, and sell this through MINI dealers as a Triumph.

Removable hard top is a must. I don’t need or want a back seat and the MINI convertible never appealed to me at all.

I’ll be watching to see where this goes…

Craig Wright Apr 7th, 2009 Link

The Z2 is not going to see the light of day and in the current financial situation, I cannot see MINI/BMW taking the gamble with this speedster! iMotor: BMW Z2 is a no-go

alpinamike Apr 7th, 2009 Link

Gabe I think you need to post more about this. You have hit MINI gold here :)

Holly Aldis Apr 7th, 2009 Link

I’ve already requested that N. Scottsdale MINI put me on the list when they start it up. Have to pay off the Clubby so I can start saving for this one.

appmacguy Apr 8th, 2009 Link

I will stick my neck out here in the hope it makes sense and gets you guys thinking. Has anyone else thought about this (possibly) being based on a two seater Mini already in testing. A premium product that with the right interest and performance could get you to part with your cash.

We may not be talking an engine behind those seats but batteries!!! Perhaps this is the ideal product to put all that Mini E research and feedback into a sellable product. The Speedster could be made lighter than the Mini E and benefit from the weight distribution of batteries, the motor on each wheel (AWD) or just two motors for front or rear drive depending on the market.

You all love the design so would possibly pay more to get it. It is looking towards the future being electric. The drive as we have seen from Tesla and Jay Leno’s video review of the Mini E would be amazing. The timing is right. You don’t need practicality from sports cars and the 2/3 year time gap is spot on as the Mini E evaluation ends.

Just a thought really to spark your thoughts.

Has the MINI Speedster been approved for production? - Easy Car Blog Apr 8th, 2009 Link

[...] Source: MotoringFile – Tags: MINI, speedster Social Networking: var addthis_pub=”easycarblog”; « GTA Motor [...]

lavardera Apr 8th, 2009 Link

trying to post my lame “long nose” photoshop job, but it must be stuck in moderation. Here is the url

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3421655789_7a93dc4727_b.jpg

lavardera Apr 8th, 2009 Link

I think they could use a great deal of the existing drive train if they plopped it in the middle to make a mid engine out of it, but frankly I just can’t see them doing that – the overall changes to the platform would be too great.

But I do hope that its not just the same old nose with a two seat cabin and a big trunk – although you have to admit – that is the Mini tradition. I think a roadster would look so much better with a slightly longer and lower nose.

cct1 Apr 8th, 2009 Link

Can anyone shed any light on the Z2? Originally on Bimmerfile it looked like it was going to see the light of day (not confirmed, but it looked promising), and now the above link looks like it’s not going to happen. Anyone have any other info?

Gabe Apr 8th, 2009 Link

@cct1: The report from iMotor (which i’ve personally never heard of) seemed to be pretty sketchy at best. The source wasn’t even 100% sure themselves and that’s not even talking about their credibility as a source.

JonPD Apr 8th, 2009 Link

Agreed Lav

I would be much happier with a lower hood than the R56, I feel it needs to be lower and with a good sweep to really work. Should be interesting to see what Mini comes up with.

I give Mini huge props for looking at this project, still wish it would have gotten the R60’s place in the production cycle. Between the possible Z2 and the VW bluesport this market is about to become a bit busier.

A Two-Seat MINI Speedster - www.miniMINImini.com Apr 8th, 2009 Link

[...] Apr.08, 2009 in Motoring, New Mini, On The Web Word has reached us (and those wonderful people at MotoringFile) that MINi has quietly green-lighted work to begin on the often-rumoured two-seat MINI speedster. [...]

cct1 Apr 8th, 2009 Link

Thanks Gabe, that’s what I was kind of hoping for; a Z2 along the lines of what you guys posted over at Bimmerfile would be one heckuva car…

Gabe Apr 8th, 2009 Link

@cct1: I know. The coupe version is what I’m interested in.

Brian Apr 8th, 2009 Link

I would buy this. Build it.

JonPD Apr 8th, 2009 Link

A Z2 Coupe would still be my first choice as long as BMW kept the weight down on it, if not the Mini Speedster could be the obvious choice.

JMills Apr 9th, 2009 Link

I don’t like it, it’s just not what I want to see from MINI. First that damn crossover, and now a neo Del Sol? How about an awd, balls to the wall R56 JCW two seats like the GP, and 250hp. I want to see BMW build the world’s best hot hatch, something that would take on the R32.

Mini Roadster « RM.Design Blog Apr 9th, 2009 Link

[...] Volgens Motoringfile.com blijven ze bij Mini na de Crossover niet stilzitten. Er zou gewerkt worden aan een open tweezitter, de Mini Speedster. De auto ligt al sinds 2001 op de tekentafel (zie onderstaande schets), maar is nu pas concreet. Motoringfile.com heeft het over een stoffen kap met twee grote rolbeugels achter de zetels (waar Mini bij de Cabrio juist van afgestapt is…). Of het verhaal enige waarheid bevat, zal nog moeten blijken. (bron: Motoringfile.com) [...]

C4 Apr 10th, 2009 Link

For us married guys with kids, 2 seaters are totally out of the question.

greg Apr 10th, 2009 Link

For us single guys with kids two cars is the answer! This will make a fine second car. Make mine a JCW cabrio version.

AUSmotive.com » Go Speed go Apr 22nd, 2009 Link

[...] MINI Speedster theory appears to be momentum. First, MotoringFile ran a piece saying the car had been given an internal sign off. They think. Now, AutoExpress has [...]

MotoringFile » Archive » MINI’s Rumored Speedster Takes Another Step Forward Apr 23rd, 2009 Link

[...] MINI Speedster rumor has taken a life of it’s own since we published our report earlier this month. Rarely have we seen so much immediate positive reaction to a proposed new MINI [...]

David Justen Apr 24th, 2009 Link

Want one !

Rumormill: MINI Speedster said to be on the way… again | Car2Be.com - Hot News & Reviews Apr 28th, 2009 Link

[...] [Source: MotoringFile] [...]

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