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As some of you may remember BMW/MINI released some sketches around the time of the new MINI's original release of several different concepts of where the MINI brand could go in the future. During that time there was also open talk of a 2-seat speedster possibly being released instead of a more standard convertible. Of course we now know that BMW decided to go a different route and release the upcoming 4-seat Cabrio. This month's EVO has a bit of insight into the change of heart for MINI:
“Word is the original concept for the recently-unvieled four-seater MINI cabrio was actually a rather more desirable two-seater speedster. Much sportier than the production car, the rear seats were junked for a hard cover [painted with a chequered flag finish] and it was fitted with a neat jack-knifing folding soft top.
A 'marketing expert' for BMW HQ canned the idea in favour of the pointless four-seater. Since that decision was made, the market has shifted towards compact two-seaters such as the new Vauxhall Tigre.
I would have to disagree when it comes to the US market. Over here small four-seat convertibles are just as popular if not more so than two-seaters. And of course pointless is probably an unfortunate choice of words as well considering the already strong demand for the car.
In a related note MINI also seriously considered launching a more sleek 'fastback' version of the current car as a sport model. The design was nixed after full mock-ups were shown to BMW execs in the late 90's. There's more about this was potential model in the book New MINI by Graham Robson.
