The Rumored Lightweight MCS: Part 4

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

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

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

<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>“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.”</p>
</blockquote>

<p>It says 30,000 EURO…not dollars!!!!</p>
</blockquote>

<p>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).</p>

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

<p>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.</p>

<blockquote>
<p>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.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>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.</p>

<p>This rumored lightweight will be a very different car.</p>

<p>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.</p>

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

<p>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.</p>

<p>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…</p>

<p>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.<br />
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.</p>

<p>Just for the record, the MC40 is <strong>not</strong> a JCW car! It probably would have sold better if it was…</p>

<p>Yikes! 225hp in a 15% lighter car!</p>

<p>So that’s about 225hp per metric ton!</p>

<p>“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.”</p>

<p>But on the other hand removing the rear seat reveals a cavity perfectly sized to safely transport your four light wheels with sticky tires for trackday and still have room in the boot for your toolbox!</p>

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

<p>Heh, perhaps.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Agreed. But this post is great news for people actually interested in the model. The price is as good as you could hope for, and the boost in power is a pleasant surprise. Sort of weak that it’ll only be a 2-seater, but then I suppose whoever buys one won’t mind all that much. But all of this brought me back to reality – no way would I able to get one, whether it’s the price, the insurance, or the 2-per. seating capacity. Ah well.</p>

<blockquote>But on the other hand removing the rear seat reveals a cavity perfectly sized to safely transport your four light wheels with sticky tires for trackday and still have room in the boot for your toolbox!</blockquote>

<p>Of course. But you can reveal that cavity yourself (and trim around 50 lbs) in about 30 minutes. You don’t need to pay thousands to have Bertone do it for you in an irreversible way.</p>

<p>Losing the rear seating altogether seems problematic, unless you’re going to drop a normally-aspirated BMW 6 in there, turning the rear wheels… My God, now that would be sweet!</p>

<p>If it is priced at 30k its a go, i will buy it, but if it is more than 35k, hello Elise.</p>

<p>I agree it would be tough to drop 400 lbs, but it could be done if they really go nuts:</p>

<p>-All-aluminum chassis
-Aluminum block
-Lightwieght exhaust
-CF bonnet, roof and hatch
-Lose sound insulation
-Lose AC and stereo
-Lightweight front seats and no rears
-Lightweight wheels/tires
-Misc CF bits and pieces</p>

<p>I’m assuming they can’t replace the safety glass with plastic.</p>

<p>Spoke to a motoring advisor at Classic Mini in Cleveland today. They have confirmed they are receiving 4 Lightweights. I was the third to reserve a spot.</p>

<p>Brent,
Did they say when? I wonder if this dealer did it on their own, I doubt there’s any official delivery information.</p>

<p>[quote]
Spoke to a motoring advisor at Classic Mini in Cleveland today. They have confirmed they are receiving 4 Lightweights. I was the third to reserve a spot.[/quote]</p>

<p>I’d like to propose that they are able to acheive the 30k price and 225hp, because they are putting the new engine in it. I have absolutely no info to back this up, but it seems plausible–even likley if the price and power rumors are true. If this thing comes with JCW (or JCW+) standard the price seems suspect. Also, where are they going to get the extra 15hp from? Is JCW/BMW going to warranty -19% SC pulleys? Not likely. But, if they were to put the turbo engine in, they could raise the boost via some simple ECU tweaks; creating much more power at the fraction of the JCW costs. Keep in mind, this car is being built in low numbers at a plant that currently has no proprietary engine like the Oxford plant. If the new engine can be mated to the current tranny, what do they care? Hell, that way BMW gets 2000 paying field testers for the new drivetrain. Anyone know how far Peugot/Citroen and BMW are on the new engine? The bulged-hood-test-mule “spy” photos have been out for at least a year.</p>

<p>I agree. We’ll never see this beast on this side of the pond. However, just in case, I put in a request with my MA in Chicago today. :-)</p>

<p>BTW, my ’05 JCW everything MCS topped out at $34K. I paid it. I love it. It’s worth every penny. No whining from me!</p>

<blockquote>At least in the US, a new engine would require new crash testing. I can’t see MINI doing that for a low volume, end of the run special edition.</blockquote>

<p>Won’t they have to crash test it anyway? I would assume with all the changes they’re making i.e “lightweight glass throughout”, possible cf hood, etc., that they would need new safety testing.</p>

<p>I’ve been in touch with my dealer here in VA but they have no confirmation or details</p>