MINI USA Expects Positive Reaction to Coupe Will Lead to Production
The Automotive News sat down with MINI USA boss Jim McDowell recently to talk about all things MINI. Top of mind was the recently introduced Coupe concept that has been all the range here at MF for the past week. Mr. McDowell optimistic it will find an audience:
>”We think we have a good idea, and we want to get people’s reaction to it,” said Jim McDowell, Mini USA president. “If there is a great response, as I predict there will be, I think you will see it going into production.”
>”I think it will attract a younger, higher fraction of male purchasers. It is really a pretty radical Mini,” he said. Today, Mini buyers are evenly split between males and females
As we’ve already reported this morning, BMW has already officially told its employees that both the Coupe and the Speedster will indeed go into production at the Oxford Plant. We expect this to coincide with the 2011 model year.
<p>They release info on a new car, and they expect not less than a great reaction?</p>
<p>haha, it would be pretty scary if they released info on a new car and thought it would do poorly…</p>
<p>Peter, I can explain that. The R60 ;), then again it has caused a great reaction lol.</p>
<p>Great to hear that Jim thinks its on its way to production, though nothing really earth shattering news wise.</p>
<p>Adding to the “I would hope so…” Comments.. :)</p>
<p>Indeed… most of us existing MINI enthusiasts “get” that these little FWD machines have the soul of a sports cars even in existing Hatch and Convertible form. Yet, you would be amazed how many people (mostly, sadly, men) – even now 7 years after R50/R53 launch and unanimous owner and reviewer testimonials and SCCA racing successes – discount the MINI versus other sport compacts because it isn’t as “aggressive looking” in appearance. (A subjective statement to be sure, as to my eye even bone stock R53’s and the R56 fitted with JCW kit do look aggressive; and a sadly ironic one given a MINI typically outdrives all the other North American “hot hatches” on a twisty back road.)</p>
<p>I’ve also noted responses to this car on some other forums and sent the press release images to several people in my circle of friends, including friends’ younger brothers who are squarely in the sport compact / import tuner demographic. Response has been both strong and positive, much more so than to the hatchback and Clubman models. I’m glad the Coopster / Speedster are getting BMW product planner support – I am looking forward to seeing the concepts in the metal at this year’s North American International Auto Show!</p>
<p>I’m not quite understanding this car. Its supposedly more of a “hardcore performance car” yet its still FWD. I love my MINI, don’t get me wrong, but dropping 200 lbs doesn’t make it a true performance car. I can’t help but think about the civic del sol when I see this. “Lets take a nice hot hatch and cut its weight (and practicality) and make it a little prettier and see if it sells”. The del sol did not, and the people who bought it bought it b/c it was pretty and you could take the roof off, not b/c of performance reasons. Trying to appeal to hardcore racer types won’t work if your platform is FWD as its already compromised as a performance car. I’m not trying to knock the MINI (I own one for goodness sake), but its not a hardcore performance car. Its a hot hatch. I would bet that the Speedster sells well. The coupe, not so much.</p>
<p>I will have to see it firsthand in order to form an opinion; I look forward to seeing it at the Frankfurt car show next week. ; )</p>
<p>Brice FWD is not all that bad, while I would never choose one for track only work they do have some nice advantages for cornering. I have witnessed first hand FWD cars including the Mini badly abusing RWD cars.</p>
<p>Motivation!
Get….Motivated!!!
Positive thinking!!
Hmm, now I sound like a motivational speaker or something.</p>
<p>I think this car will be great for the brand because it might bring back some of the passion that most MINI drivers have. I mean, its kind of annoying when some motorers don’t wave or flash their high beams or even know the “MINI thing”</p>
<p>For the record, RWD does have all kinds of advantages for performance driving over FWD, including the all-important “feel”. However, FWD need not be mutually exclusive with performance or “feel” and there is a long history of FWD cars that were “giant killers” on a twisty road (in Europe, arguably, since the original mini; then here in North America since the mk1 VW Rabbit GTI).</p>
<p>Here are some currently sold high profile FWD hot hatches that get no shortage of positive press: Ford Focus RS, Renault Megane R26.R, Honda Civic Type-R (Europe and Japan only, sadly); MINI JCW Hatch/Clubman, MazdaSpeed3, Chevrolet Cobalt SS (also available in Canada/US). (Incidentally, please note that the Honda del Sol would never be on this list – but in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s version the Honda CRX Si would be.) 🙂 If MINI was the only company pursuing a high performance FWD vehicle the criticisms might be more legitimate. Rather, MINI is not only in good company but has SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER PRECEDENT AND PEDIGREE to pursue high performing FWD vehicles.</p>
<p>I sometimes honestly wonder why some of the posters that have argued AGAINST MINI putting more performance into their vehicles (!) even purchased a MINI, if it wasn’t for the fantastic driving experience (FWD and all)? Really, how can anyone be against better handling, lighter weight, more interesting sheetmetal, etc.? I am seeing “purists” being full of contradictions and equivocations – “I love my S as it has great performance, but a JCW is not worth it”, “I think my MINI handles great, but the JCW Speedster / Coopster is not needed, it should be RWD if it is going to be a 2-seater etc.”</p>
<p>Was there this much protest to Factory JCW’s and, ultimately, the GP? Is it the MINI fans cheering on the R60 SUV who are against the new Coopster/Speedster? Is it the number of 4×4 R56 JCW’s shipped over to Canada and US customers without a sorted suspension hence torque-steering everywhere that have left a sour taste and convinced people that BMW should not build any higher performance sporting MINIs? ;)</p>
p><b>@goat</b I think what the “purists” are saying is that while current MINIs are fantastic they would be even better in RWD. While it already great fun, it boggles my mind to consider how incredible my JCW would be if driven by the rear wheels. If you are going to drop the rear seats for performance, then put the power to the proper axle.</p>
<p>YO!
Can BMW/MINI please get their head screwed on straight and get this very good idea off on the right foot truthfully? Lets see the supercharger come back, lets see the Getrag 4WD system installed standard and then I think this will be the new cornerstone of MINI and soon it’s namesake… This will be the M3’s, R32’s and Mazdaspeed’s nemesis!</p>
<p>More power to weight and traction and less gooey ooey gimicky stuff inside…</p>
<p>Goat,</p>
<p>Never said FWD can’t perform, but if you look at all of those vehicles you listed, they at least have some practicality to them or they are cheap. The MINI coupe will have neither. I personally don’t like the styling, but yeah, I’d love to have my MINI be lighter and faster. Heck, I own a JCW Mini, I enjoy the added performance in ANY vehicle. I even put an intake in my Honda Element. I never said FWD can’t work or can’t be fun (I have two FWD cars, a MINI and a Mazda3), I just don’t think it will sell.</p>
<p>Its moving away from a cute, fun hot hatch more to performance coupe. When you try and make that move, all of a sudden you are competing against a DRASTICALLY different market. Mustangs, Genesis coupes, 370Z’s, Mazda RX8, Saturn Sky Redline/Pontiac Solstice GXP can be had for similar money and fill a similar market sector. When its competing against Civic Si’s, Mazdaspeed3’s, SE-R V specs, and Cobalt SS’s, it can hold its own (its more expensive and down on performance a littler bit, but its in the ballpark). Move it to the coupe market sector though, and yes its still unique (albeit a bit overpriced), but it gets KILLED in performance by those RWD coupes. I don’t see what market sector this product fills, but maybe I will be proved wrong.</p>
<p>Love and support the coupe concept and like very much what I’ve seen so far, (cowlick spoiler on the coupe roof notwithstanding). The Coupe is both unique and cool in a real head turning way. I’d keep looking till it turned a corner. If MINI can keep the price in the same ball park as the MCS or MC w/options then go forth and sell ’em like dollar bong hits. Performance and affordability is a tough combo to achieve, but MINI has done this for going on 10 yrs now. Feed that demographic that’s already buying the brand.</p>