Comments on: World Debut: The MINI Coupé Concept

By: r56mcs

r56mcs — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:04:00 +0000

Build a RWD or AWD MINI. Fed up with FWD torque steer.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:58:13 +0000

I tried, but I don't like it. I want to but I don't. MINI needs to do two things to get back to reality:

(1) Keep the current FWD R56 design but make it LIGHTER. This is a practical small sporty car that can seat more than two people. Once they reduce weight - make the JCW version even BETTER. It looks good now.

(2) If they want to create a real high end "sportscar", use the 1.6 JCW engine in a mid- engine lightweight RWD or 4WD platform and go nuts in true John Cooper fashion. Make it beat Nissan Z cars and Porsche Boxters and cost under $45,000. Chopping the top off a MINI and adding strange toupee is NOT innovation. It is more like decals and fake scoops.

By: GSP

GSP — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:30:55 +0000

If, as Gabe says, its a choice of this or nothing, then I have to chose “nothing”. This car looks outright goofy; the roof is simply a bad joke.

By: LTL M CPE

LTL M CPE — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:51:40 +0000

right on Jon. Now we wait to get them….

By: JonPD

JonPD — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:45:02 +0000

I am so looking forward to seeing this car in person. Just wishing they had included some video of the car in motion in the real world, hoping to see some of that soon. The next big thing I want to see is the rear hatch being open.

Think your in luck Jim, the weight is documented being about 200lbs lighter, the car is coming out on the far side of the mid-phase redesign which has already been mentioned that most of which will be focused on the interior. As for you last question I think this will look almost as great parked next to your Bimmer as it will next to my GP heh.

By: alpinamike

alpinamike — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:06:59 +0000

I can’t wait to see the top function!

By: LTL M CPE

LTL M CPE — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:10:33 +0000

OK, I'm impressed. But then I bought my M coupe new when they first came out in 99 so some may question my taste. ;) Keep this lighter than the current MCS, fix the center stack, and keep the price down and it will be parked next to my M coupe. Wonder how this blue will look next to Estoril Blue?

Jim

By: Andrew Zimmerman

Andrew Zimmerman — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:09:53 +0000

Nice.

By: Dewey

Dewey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:31:52 +0000

Very cool idea, look forward to seeing it in the flesh. However I hate the roof, simple fix, give the roof cap a straight side line and it will be perfect. But as it looks now that roof line is the deal breaker for me.

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:37:48 +0000

The over all roof line is not well designed. The car its self lacks personality as if its trying to be something its not. The rear of the car makes no sense. Over sized Mary-Jane is the best description.

By: Charise

Charise — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:19:40 +0000

Provided it’s a hard-top, this will be my next car.

By: EZC

EZC — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:06:37 +0000

The roof design is actually similar to the crossover concept car. I doubt that this roof is going to be on the production coupe since the countryman spy shot dont seems to have that either.Will know in 3 weeks.

By: Jim Petersen

Jim Petersen — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:55:07 +0000

Hope they make an option for a REAL cross brace in the back so you can mount race harnesses without a lot of hassle. Make it so it is just below the belt line so I can mount my HD camera on it too.

By: Micah

Micah — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:52:19 +0000

I love it, and will seriously consider trading in my GP on the Coupe’. One request MINI: please put some aggressive, more heavily bolstered seats in this car.

By: Michael Green

Michael Green — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:41:50 +0000

Thanks to the poster that pointed out the calipers. Those are amazing!! I agree with everything the WRR said about it. Black roof will be so much better. I am glad Mini is going to bring back that novelty factor to the brand. Hopefully to cancel out the mainstream crossover that every company and their mom is designing.

Rock on Mini! And Happy Birthday!

By: CraigE

CraigE — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:08:42 +0000

It's amazing how a little thing, like making all the dashboard and steering wheel controls black, changes the interior. It gives the interior a much more upscale look. Why couldn't MINI do that from the start? Black faced gauges, like in the GP would be even better.

I'm 6'6" so I hope there is still adequate head room with the 2" lower roofline. As long as the difference is similar to the R56 with and without the moonroof I should be fine.

By: Mini Cooper Coupe concept - 8th Generation Honda Civic Forum

Mini Cooper Coupe concept - 8th Generation Honda Civic Forum — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:59:42 +0000

[...] [...]

By: ex4130racer

ex4130racer — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:38:56 +0000

that cut line in the roof along the B pillar makes this car look like it wearing a hair piece.this design needs some work.

By: JonPD

JonPD — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:16:00 +0000

Another question Gabe.

Looking over the stats on this car I see its built with the R56/R57 frame. In the article you wrote:

http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/08/20/mini-speedster-details-leak-out/

You said it was expected to have a wider track, is this still a possibility?

By: goat

goat — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:15:36 +0000

One more suggestion (as I do believe that BMW watches these comments for feedback from the MINI community):

The redesigned interior coming in 2010 will undoubtedly be an improvement on the R56's current design, but can MINI kindly give the coupe a bespoke centre console? Any sports coupe I have ever owned / driven (they are usually RWD) has a high centre console where your arm rests within easy reach of the shifter and the "driving compartment" is distinct. It can be done here quite well since the coupe will be a 2-seater and have a bulkhead (of sorts) behind the seats. What I really would like to see is a properly high console like in the BMW Z4, Mazda Miata and even RX8, Nissan Zcar, etc. And while you are at it, MINI, please drop the seat height a full inch or more! The low seating position and high centre console is integral to the "intimate and focused" interior ambiance that most sports car owners love so much. Don't need to go to mk1 Audi TT extremes but since you already have high window sills and cowl on the R56 and have chopped the roof for the Coupe, the basic architecture should dictate lower seat cushion height and higher centre console. My two cents for filing with the designers that will eventually pen the production version of the Coupe.