<p>@<a href="#comment-267362" rel="nofollow">Daniel Mittelman</a>: +1 MINI has a real opportunity with the coupe But they need to put some more thought into the roof design. Also I think there should be more going on below the beltline to further distinguish this car from the R57.</p>
<p>I voted yes, but agree with Daniel too. The curved door window is a beautiful line and I even like the spoiler. Smooth out the kink in the b-pillar a smidge and you’ve really got something there.</p>
<p>It has potential, but the roof seems to be contrived and trying too hard to be something that is not. I looks like the regular MINI roof was squished. the higher belt line of the R56 does not help matters either.</p>
<p>also this car looks like something someone put together in photochop and voila! Now we have a new model! yipee!</p>
<p>I do not like the slanted windshield (means the glass will be uncomfortably close to the foreheads of taller driver/passengers) and the generally claustrophobic feel of the cabin</p>
<p>Seems to me MINI is going after the Audi TT look, but they can’t quite pull it off…</p>
<p>Best effort so far! The roof’s ok with me, wish they’d elongate the front air damn area a bit, and chop the whole side down, like the MiniSprint of ole. Forget the Broadspeed.</p>
<p>I really like the new interior. The new leather trim on the dash and new leather seats gives the car a richer look. I also like the dash grain panel as well. I’m all for lots of chrome and the chrome ring on the steering wheel is a really nice touch. My 2008 R56 needs the chrome rings back on the stero speakers on the door like my 2007 had.</p>
<p>And the folks at MINI Design can do better than this. Doesn’t smack of too imaginative to put a “toupe” hard roof on top of the existing convertible.</p>
<p>I am looking forward to the Broadspeed, hoping that more creativity and less mediocrity is displayed on that car.</p>
<p>My vote is definite yes! …provided that on the JCW version they spec as standard the JCW suspension, big brakes, aero kit with brake ducts, and true lightweight sport seats with proper bolstering.</p>
<p>As mentioned by myself and several others in preceding threads, I will not pay to respec the Coupe’ with parts that a MINI of this sporting character should come with in the first place.</p>
<p>I kind of like the backwards baseball cap look of the roof. It’s very unique, if not all that elegant. It’s definitely a polarizing design point, which has been BMW’s MO of late. There’s good and bad to that, but in my eyes, I like it.</p>
<blockquote><p>Best effort so far! The roof’s ok with me, wish they’d elongate the front air damn area a bit, and chop the whole side down, like the MiniSprint of ole. Forget the Broadspeed.</p></blockquote>
<p>Actually the “best effort” prize goes to DB for getting polling to work on MF after two years of us trying.</p>
<p>I also voted “yes” but the roof has got to be adjusted, or I would never buy it. Looks like they decided the roof when one bloke came in the design studio with his Irish motoring hat on backwards.</p>
<p>At first I wanted it to be more conventional, and the more I look at it, the more excited I am that it’s just as out there as it is. I was having an IM conversation with a buddy of mine about this car and at one point showed him the GP — to which he had about the same “ick” reaction most of us did when that design first debuted (I’m talking to you Todd- ha!). Now the GP is a classic and I for one wouldn’t change a thing. I’m also remembering all the bile over the Clubman when the very notion of the idea of a concept was introduced on MF. That’s turned out to be a fantastic looking car, in my opinion. I think the same will happen with the Coopster, and I’ll predict one further that this car will be very, very successful. The announcement has already gotten picked up by sources like Fast Company and others who normally don’t talk about such things — really says to me that MINI is definitely on to something with this car.</p>
<p>I think the ultimate question is who this car is being marketed towards? Existing owners seem to have very mixed feelings and i doubt many will upgrade/change.</p>
<p>I would be more curious to see what non MINI owners think of it overall. Especially ones that would be in the market for something like it.</p>
<p>I have shared pictures of the Coopster with a lot of people that don’t currently own a Mini and can say a very large number of them like it. A few that haven’t generally hate Mini’s lol</p>
<p>I’m warming up to this concept. The more I see it, the more I like it. At every angle of view, there seems to be a different look to the car. I’m thinking I want one now.</p>
<p>I’m not sure why my comments are not showing up but basically I think the car will be a slam dunk if the jcw version comes with the jcw suspension, brakes, and body kit. I also hope they can offer the recaro seat option to people in the USA.</p>
<p>After seeing the sketch of the speedster in the previous post I’m starting to get a handle on what is going on here. They are trying to use the same sheet metal up to the chrome belt line on both cars. That right off the bat confines the Couper’s roof to the same footprint and more or less profile of the speedsters cloth top. So a longer smoother roof line is not in the cards, nor a rear deck spoiler. And it all makes sense why the Couper looks like a vert with a cap. With that additional design restriction in mind the whole Couper feels like a smarter design now than it did without the context of all the design criteria, and I like it more for that.</p>
<p>Also I’m leaning towards Mini Couper over Coopster.</p>
<p>(droning on) I’m surprised there has not been much talk about the headlight surrounds? Everybody wants those black ones – is this not showing them in black? Personally, with the body color grill I think having the body color extend into the headlights would be the thing.</p>
<p>AND BTW, those lucisous leather seats everybody seems to love, myself included, look to be sporting the logo of premium italian leather seating manufacturer Poltrana Frau. Sexy stuff indeed. It would be nice if those found their way on to the option list for all coopers.</p>
<p>I do like the look of it, glad the R53 slats are on there, gives it a bow to the past.
However, based on the pictures, the roof’s slant behind the window has to be changed a bit.</p>
<p>Regarding the speedster, it should have the tunnels in the back. If not it would look like a “normal” convertible.</p>
<p>As much as I was looking forward to the pictures of the roadster I am thinking that the “Coopster,” is the more interesting car. I think that if the roadster was a true topless car then it could be the better of the two but with the need for a top I see it less appealing. If it had the “speed humps,” or “tunnels,” then it could be cool but with the top needing a place to live I don’t see it as a design option.</p>
<p>Bravo to MINI for making a great looking product and I hope that it performs as well as it looks.</p>
<p>Okay, I kinda dig the raked back windshield and the hatch, they look aggressive in 3/4-views, but I’d really like Mini to remove the clutter from this thing. Start at the front by getting rid of the do-nothing scoop, move around to the side and lose the scuttle and the chrome gas cap, then lose the chrome beltline and finally get rid of the chrome around the taillights. You could end up with an un-cute Mini, which would be exciting.</p>
<p>(Then make an unboosted Cooper version for me, please!)</p>
<p>I voted yes. How can you not? It exactly like the R56 from the interior and the waist down.</p>
<p>@c4/gasmini…HAHA, spot on….toupe.LOL</p>
<p>If they moved that to a tail spoiler and make the whole top glass (or look like glass), it would be killer. What is the competition, the S2000, Mazda Miata, that Pontiac thing?</p>
<p>I hope it has the power to match. Let’s put an exclamation point at the end of that car! There’s nothing more sad then a hot looking car that’s underpowered, and expensive (lol, like my 09 JCW). Its gotta get by on more then looks alone.</p>
<p>Let’s get to work MINI. There’s alot of re-work to be done 🙂 Stop wasting time with the SUVs and get back to being leaders instead of followers. Let’s commemorate the 50 year old concept with something so spectacular that people will go WOW!, instead of ho humm.</p>
<p>p>Just playing with the Coopster. My attempt to fix what I don’t like about the top. I think this would be a great place for a third brake light and changes the roof line for the best. Just my opinion.</p>
<p>If they cleaned up the roof and terrible shelf @ss, dropped in the BMW twin-turbo 6 behind the rear seats and connected said mill to the rear wheels then maybe…</p>
<p>I don’t care for the initial design for a variety of reasons, however, I applaud the idea of a high performance coupe. I hope they do some tweaking prior to production AND they best reconsider the pricing. It looks like a well equiped JCW will push $40k.There’s too much competition at that price level with superior sports coupes (Elise, 135i). It’s so great to see this dominate MF as opposed to Mini wagons and wimpy electric models.</p>
<p>Where is the option for “I hope they bring it to market but fix the damn roofâ€</p>
<p>I would have voted yes but the roof is a big turn off. I guess it’s supposed to be a big design statement but it says “what the heck is that on top of that good looking car” to me. A more traditional looking hatchback would be big improvement.</p>
<p>Yes, I’m intereseted, but I hope there are some changes in the production model (roof for one). I was not thrilled when I first saw the concept. I was hoping for something more along the line of the original ACV30 concept. Will I consider it when it’s time for a new car – yes. Though we’ll see what else comparable is out there at that time (Z2 maybe). What I’d really like to see make its way to the USA is the BMW 1-Series 3-door hatch. That would be perfect for my lifestyle.</p>
<p>If they cleaned up the roof and terrible shelf @ss, dropped in the BMW twin-turbo 6 behind the rear seats and connected said mill to the rear wheels, then maybe…</p>
<p>They need to ditch the lower rear and the car will flow better. The roof and the taper down to the square back just looks odd. Really makes it look like they are just trying to keep it cheap and use parts available. Which is probably what they are doing but didn’t I read this car was going to be $36,000. Give me a break. You need to do more than just use parts available to pull it off.</p>
<p>I don’t care if they bring it to market as a damn peddle car…it rocks! For those who think it’s too far out of the box keep your head down. There is nothing on the market today that is as interesting as this Coopster. I think the roof is spectacular. The designers took a difficult task, using the cabriolet body, modify it in a way that will not cost a small fortune in tooling and create something unique. This is what the GP should have been, a stand alone creation. To suggest that MINI should create a “new” car at affordable prices, good luck. The market demands that manufacturers be creative in the area of manufacturing as well as design. The Coopster hits the nail on the head in both categories.</p>
<p>Voted ‘no’ due to the same reasons as most folks voted ‘no’ here (roof and too much alike the current model below belt line). In fact, I like all of those rumor and imagine versions way lot more than this concept.</p>
<blockquote>the car (with clever hatchback design) features an astonishing 8.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. That’s almost the same as an R56 MINI hatchback. So you’re getting two seats instead of four, yet almost the same luggage space.</blockquote>
<p>So what I am consistently seeing is 2 camps:
– one that likes the roof but does not like that the car is basically an R56/57 below the belt. I am in this camp myself.
– and the other that hates the roof for its quirkiness, but likes the familiarity of the rest of the car.</p>
<p>I wish the Z designer that worked on the roof would bring some of its uniqueness into the rest of the car to give it some more character.</p>
<blockquote>MINI has a real opportunity with the coupe But they need to put some more thought into the roof design. Also I think there should be more going on below the beltline to further distinguish this car from the R57</blockquote>
<p>I’d love to get one on an auto-cross course. Imagine the cornering without the extra glass and roof trying to flip you over. The spoiler could use a bit of a redesign, but the current one won’t dissuade me from a purchase.</p>
<p>Oops… Steve’s version lessons the “toupee” look of the heavy handed roof of MINI version. The MINI versions roof is way to heavy, large for the body.</p>
<p>I would say not bad at all Mini, gaining a 75% consensus on the very strong opinionated Motoringfile readers thumbs up on the design. I don’t think either the GP or the Clubman would have gotten these numbers personally.</p>
<p>The vote is holding the same all the way through 3/4 of those voting are impressed. I think everyone of us would like the design tweaked this way or that (higher performance would be mine), still getting such a response is very impressive.</p>
<p>The back half of the roof reminds me of the geo storm. I like the concept of it but straighten the roof. Why should I have to get a black roof to like the car. I’ve had a black MINI and would agree with Gabe that it would be bitchin. However, I don’t want another black car. In my opinion, straighten the roof kink and we are on to something.</p>
<p>I’m in the yes camp, providing the roofline issue is addressed successfully. I think the roof would look better in silver, with the car in black. Reserving final judgement until I can see it in the showroom.</p>
<p>Think we only have two options guys, Gabe has already said this car is basically the production car. While I am sure those lovely seat upholstery are concept only I am betting the exterior is more or less exactly not going to change. The only tweaks I could see at this point is if the mid-phase production tweaks changes the look of the R56/R57.</p>
<p>Come what may I am very excited by this development and think hands down this car would make a great choice for taking the JCW sub-brand further yet. I would love to see a little bump in hp, the great JCW 4 pot brakes, a more tuned version of the JCW suspension, and a diet (remove a lot of sound deading, carbon roof, lighter weight seats). Imagine a slightly lower and wider Mini with ~500lbs removed, for me this would be the ideal car.</p>
<p>Yes most of you/us think in term of performance, so the little loss of weight and little lower gravity center are welcome for sure…</p>
<p>But Mini is something else than just performance = kids smile when they see it.
When they will see this “thing” i don’t think there will be so many kids smiles.</p>
<p>Well r.burns think this car is aimed at the performance crowd not the kids. They will smile bigger when Mom and Dad show up in the gnarly R60 to pick them up from soccer practice.</p>
<p>Interesting aspect of the design – the interior shots seem to show a small quarter window between the door and the hatch. Yet on the outside this panel looks blacked out, and has a small spoiler molded in like the C panel on the R56. On the R56 this panel is plastic, but here on the Couper it must be molded into the glass?</p>
<p>…I don’t now… it’s kind of like a french beret on a german; it looks ok, but you know it’s not quite right. However, you must consider that the german guy thinks it looks pretty cool… Personally, I like the concept but then again not everyone looks good with a funny hat on….</p>
<p>I think the center stack, which many people hate in the current Coopers, should be redesigned in this new model. In a couple of the pictures, I still see the familiar radio control and center stack.</p>
<p>Otherwise it is OK, I would not order one blindly, but I would not rule that out either. Seems to miss some of the utility in the Cooper, hope the body mass is lessened as a result.</p>
<p>How about a poll on the R60 Gabe</p>
<p>Where is the option for “I hope they bring it to market but fix the damn roof”</p>
<p>I don’t particularly love it, but I think it will grow on me. Seeing it in person will most likely win me over.</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-267362" rel="nofollow">Daniel Mittelman</a>: +1 MINI has a real opportunity with the coupe But they need to put some more thought into the roof design. Also I think there should be more going on below the beltline to further distinguish this car from the R57.</p>
<p>I think we need at least one more option in the poll, too. I think it’s quite ugly, but like all Mini products, I hope it’s successful.</p>
<p>I voted yes, but agree with Daniel too. The curved door window is a beautiful line and I even like the spoiler. Smooth out the kink in the b-pillar a smidge and you’ve really got something there.</p>
<p>It has potential, but the roof seems to be contrived and trying too hard to be something that is not. I looks like the regular MINI roof was squished. the higher belt line of the R56 does not help matters either.</p>
<p>also this car looks like something someone put together in photochop and voila! Now we have a new model! yipee!</p>
<p>I do not like the slanted windshield (means the glass will be uncomfortably close to the foreheads of taller driver/passengers) and the generally claustrophobic feel of the cabin</p>
<p>Seems to me MINI is going after the Audi TT look, but they can’t quite pull it off…</p>
<p>Best effort so far! The roof’s ok with me, wish they’d elongate the front air damn area a bit, and chop the whole side down, like the MiniSprint of ole. Forget the Broadspeed.</p>
<p>I really like the new interior. The new leather trim on the dash and new leather seats gives the car a richer look. I also like the dash grain panel as well. I’m all for lots of chrome and the chrome ring on the steering wheel is a really nice touch. My 2008 R56 needs the chrome rings back on the stero speakers on the door like my 2007 had.</p>
<p>And the folks at MINI Design can do better than this. Doesn’t smack of too imaginative to put a “toupe” hard roof on top of the existing convertible.</p>
<p>I am looking forward to the Broadspeed, hoping that more creativity and less mediocrity is displayed on that car.</p>
<p>My vote is definite yes! …provided that on the JCW version they spec as standard the JCW suspension, big brakes, aero kit with brake ducts, and true lightweight sport seats with proper bolstering.</p>
<p>As mentioned by myself and several others in preceding threads, I will not pay to respec the Coupe’ with parts that a MINI of this sporting character should come with in the first place.</p>
<p>I kind of like the backwards baseball cap look of the roof. It’s very unique, if not all that elegant. It’s definitely a polarizing design point, which has been BMW’s MO of late. There’s good and bad to that, but in my eyes, I like it.</p>
<p>I’ve had two co-workers notice the MINI Coupe on my computer desktop and ask about it, and both gave very favorable opinions.</p>
<blockquote><p>Best effort so far! The roof’s ok with me, wish they’d elongate the front air damn area a bit, and chop the whole side down, like the MiniSprint of ole. Forget the Broadspeed.</p></blockquote>
<p>Actually the “best effort” prize goes to DB for getting polling to work on MF after two years of us trying.</p>
<p>I also voted “yes” but the roof has got to be adjusted, or I would never buy it. Looks like they decided the roof when one bloke came in the design studio with his Irish motoring hat on backwards.</p>
<p>Heh</p>
<p>Great job DB</p>
<p>That spoiler really does not do it for me. Otherwise it’s nice.</p>
<p>Get rid of the toupe look and it would be OK.</p>
<p>At first I wanted it to be more conventional, and the more I look at it, the more excited I am that it’s just as out there as it is. I was having an IM conversation with a buddy of mine about this car and at one point showed him the GP — to which he had about the same “ick” reaction most of us did when that design first debuted (I’m talking to you Todd- ha!). Now the GP is a classic and I for one wouldn’t change a thing. I’m also remembering all the bile over the Clubman when the very notion of the idea of a concept was introduced on MF. That’s turned out to be a fantastic looking car, in my opinion. I think the same will happen with the Coopster, and I’ll predict one further that this car will be very, very successful. The announcement has already gotten picked up by sources like Fast Company and others who normally don’t talk about such things — really says to me that MINI is definitely on to something with this car.</p>
<p>I think the ultimate question is who this car is being marketed towards? Existing owners seem to have very mixed feelings and i doubt many will upgrade/change.</p>
<p>I would be more curious to see what non MINI owners think of it overall. Especially ones that would be in the market for something like it.</p>
<p>I have shared pictures of the Coopster with a lot of people that don’t currently own a Mini and can say a very large number of them like it. A few that haven’t generally hate Mini’s lol</p>
<p>This car is hot and I imagine without a roof it will be even sexier!</p>
<p>I’m warming up to this concept. The more I see it, the more I like it. At every angle of view, there seems to be a different look to the car. I’m thinking I want one now.</p>
<p>Why should the roof work? The hood-scoop doesn’t.</p>
<p>OK – that was snide.</p>
<p>Actually, I like it. I will be ready to replace my ’06 S at the time this hits market – A VERY likely contender!</p>
<p>I’m not sure why my comments are not showing up but basically I think the car will be a slam dunk if the jcw version comes with the jcw suspension, brakes, and body kit. I also hope they can offer the recaro seat option to people in the USA.</p>
<p>After seeing the sketch of the speedster in the previous post I’m starting to get a handle on what is going on here. They are trying to use the same sheet metal up to the chrome belt line on both cars. That right off the bat confines the Couper’s roof to the same footprint and more or less profile of the speedsters cloth top. So a longer smoother roof line is not in the cards, nor a rear deck spoiler. And it all makes sense why the Couper looks like a vert with a cap. With that additional design restriction in mind the whole Couper feels like a smarter design now than it did without the context of all the design criteria, and I like it more for that.</p>
<p>Also I’m leaning towards Mini Couper over Coopster.</p>
<p>(droning on) I’m surprised there has not been much talk about the headlight surrounds? Everybody wants those black ones – is this not showing them in black? Personally, with the body color grill I think having the body color extend into the headlights would be the thing.</p>
<p>AND BTW, those lucisous leather seats everybody seems to love, myself included, look to be sporting the logo of premium italian leather seating manufacturer Poltrana Frau. Sexy stuff indeed. It would be nice if those found their way on to the option list for all coopers.</p>
<p>I do like the look of it, glad the R53 slats are on there, gives it a bow to the past.
However, based on the pictures, the roof’s slant behind the window has to be changed a bit.</p>
<p>Regarding the speedster, it should have the tunnels in the back. If not it would look like a “normal” convertible.</p>
<p>OK, The RED Coopster with WHITE roof looks way better with the Toupee than the Blue/Silver combo.</p>
<p>As much as I was looking forward to the pictures of the roadster I am thinking that the “Coopster,” is the more interesting car. I think that if the roadster was a true topless car then it could be the better of the two but with the need for a top I see it less appealing. If it had the “speed humps,” or “tunnels,” then it could be cool but with the top needing a place to live I don’t see it as a design option.</p>
<p>Bravo to MINI for making a great looking product and I hope that it performs as well as it looks.</p>
<p>Okay, I kinda dig the raked back windshield and the hatch, they look aggressive in 3/4-views, but I’d really like Mini to remove the clutter from this thing. Start at the front by getting rid of the do-nothing scoop, move around to the side and lose the scuttle and the chrome gas cap, then lose the chrome beltline and finally get rid of the chrome around the taillights. You could end up with an un-cute Mini, which would be exciting.</p>
<p>(Then make an unboosted Cooper version for me, please!)</p>
<p>This thing is just begging for a black beltline!</p>
<p>I voted yes. How can you not? It exactly like the R56 from the interior and the waist down.</p>
<p>@c4/gasmini…HAHA, spot on….toupe.LOL</p>
<p>If they moved that to a tail spoiler and make the whole top glass (or look like glass), it would be killer. What is the competition, the S2000, Mazda Miata, that Pontiac thing?</p>
<p>I hope it has the power to match. Let’s put an exclamation point at the end of that car! There’s nothing more sad then a hot looking car that’s underpowered, and expensive (lol, like my 09 JCW). Its gotta get by on more then looks alone.</p>
<p>Let’s get to work MINI. There’s alot of re-work to be done 🙂 Stop wasting time with the SUVs and get back to being leaders instead of followers. Let’s commemorate the 50 year old concept with something so spectacular that people will go WOW!, instead of ho humm.</p>
<p><</p>
<p>p>Just playing with the Coopster. My attempt to fix what I don’t like about the top. I think this would be a great place for a third brake light and changes the roof line for the best. Just my opinion.</p>
<p><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/3865389699_db0ff2b620.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/3865389699_db0ff2b620.jpg</a></p>
<p>If they cleaned up the roof and terrible shelf @ss, dropped in the BMW twin-turbo 6 behind the rear seats and connected said mill to the rear wheels then maybe…</p>
<p>I don’t care for the initial design for a variety of reasons, however, I applaud the idea of a high performance coupe. I hope they do some tweaking prior to production AND they best reconsider the pricing. It looks like a well equiped JCW will push $40k.There’s too much competition at that price level with superior sports coupes (Elise, 135i). It’s so great to see this dominate MF as opposed to Mini wagons and wimpy electric models.</p>
<p>I agree with the following comment:</p>
<p>Where is the option for “I hope they bring it to market but fix the damn roofâ€</p>
<p>I would have voted yes but the roof is a big turn off. I guess it’s supposed to be a big design statement but it says “what the heck is that on top of that good looking car” to me. A more traditional looking hatchback would be big improvement.</p>
<p>Yes, I’m intereseted, but I hope there are some changes in the production model (roof for one). I was not thrilled when I first saw the concept. I was hoping for something more along the line of the original ACV30 concept. Will I consider it when it’s time for a new car – yes. Though we’ll see what else comparable is out there at that time (Z2 maybe). What I’d really like to see make its way to the USA is the BMW 1-Series 3-door hatch. That would be perfect for my lifestyle.</p>
<p>All I hope is that this thing has enough headroom to accommodate someone of my height. Otherwise I’ll be sorely disappointed beyond belief.</p>
<p>Gabe, if you get the chance to sit inside one (don’t know how tall you are?) Please let us know your take on interior accommodations.</p>
<p>If they cleaned up the roof and terrible shelf @ss, dropped in the BMW twin-turbo 6 behind the rear seats and connected said mill to the rear wheels, then maybe…</p>
<p>They need to ditch the lower rear and the car will flow better. The roof and the taper down to the square back just looks odd. Really makes it look like they are just trying to keep it cheap and use parts available. Which is probably what they are doing but didn’t I read this car was going to be $36,000. Give me a break. You need to do more than just use parts available to pull it off.</p>
<p>I don’t care if they bring it to market as a damn peddle car…it rocks! For those who think it’s too far out of the box keep your head down. There is nothing on the market today that is as interesting as this Coopster. I think the roof is spectacular. The designers took a difficult task, using the cabriolet body, modify it in a way that will not cost a small fortune in tooling and create something unique. This is what the GP should have been, a stand alone creation. To suggest that MINI should create a “new” car at affordable prices, good luck. The market demands that manufacturers be creative in the area of manufacturing as well as design. The Coopster hits the nail on the head in both categories.</p>
<p>The trunk is big enough for a laptop.</p>
<p>Voted ‘no’ due to the same reasons as most folks voted ‘no’ here (roof and too much alike the current model below belt line). In fact, I like all of those rumor and imagine versions way lot more than this concept.</p>
<blockquote>The trunk is big enough for a laptop</blockquote>
<p>… and the rest of the office. Don’t forget all the space freed up by the rear seat delete.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2009/08/27/mf-analysis-the-mini-coupe-concept/" rel="nofollow">Gabe wrote</a>:</p>
<blockquote>the car (with clever hatchback design) features an astonishing 8.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. That’s almost the same as an R56 MINI hatchback. So you’re getting two seats instead of four, yet almost the same luggage space.</blockquote>
<p>Did anyone notice on the second last image that there is a switch for the roof, as found on the convertible!</p>
<p>So what I am consistently seeing is 2 camps:
– one that likes the roof but does not like that the car is basically an R56/57 below the belt. I am in this camp myself.
– and the other that hates the roof for its quirkiness, but likes the familiarity of the rest of the car.</p>
<p>I wish the Z designer that worked on the roof would bring some of its uniqueness into the rest of the car to give it some more character.</p>
<blockquote>MINI has a real opportunity with the coupe But they need to put some more thought into the roof design. Also I think there should be more going on below the beltline to further distinguish this car from the R57</blockquote>
<p>I totally agree!</p>
<p>I’d love to get one on an auto-cross course. Imagine the cornering without the extra glass and roof trying to flip you over. The spoiler could use a bit of a redesign, but the current one won’t dissuade me from a purchase.</p>
<p>This is a bit of a no-brainer really. :)</p>
<p>A more out there poll might have been RWD or AWD, haha, a little unrealistic maybe, but wouldn’t that be great!</p>
<p>I like “STEVE'” version much better…</p>
<p><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/3865389699_db0ff2b620.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/3865389699_db0ff2b620.jpg</a></p>
<p>Oops… Steve’s version lessons the “toupee” look of the heavy handed roof of MINI version. The MINI versions roof is way to heavy, large for the body.</p>
<p>My opinion on the poll, it should have had 3 choices…</p>
<p>3.) Like the general concept but it needs work.</p>
<p>Is what I think would have been better.</p>
<p>It looks better with a black roof. This is one time that the contrasting roof option does not look better! :(</p>
<p>Can’t wait to see the R60 in a special Paddy Hopkirk WRC edition!</p>
<p>I would say not bad at all Mini, gaining a 75% consensus on the very strong opinionated Motoringfile readers thumbs up on the design. I don’t think either the GP or the Clubman would have gotten these numbers personally.</p>
<p>The vote is holding the same all the way through 3/4 of those voting are impressed. I think everyone of us would like the design tweaked this way or that (higher performance would be mine), still getting such a response is very impressive.</p>
<p>The back half of the roof reminds me of the geo storm. I like the concept of it but straighten the roof. Why should I have to get a black roof to like the car. I’ve had a black MINI and would agree with Gabe that it would be bitchin. However, I don’t want another black car. In my opinion, straighten the roof kink and we are on to something.</p>
<p>Indeed JonPD, and more reason for MINI to announce series production for the damn thing already. ;)</p>
<p>This is not a MINI any more</p>
<p>It has lost one of the last typical point = its friendly cubic form</p>
<p>For the price, some 2005 Boxster (that are not MINI as well) may serious be considered</p>
<p>I’m in the yes camp, providing the roofline issue is addressed successfully. I think the roof would look better in silver, with the car in black. Reserving final judgement until I can see it in the showroom.</p>
<p>Think we only have two options guys, Gabe has already said this car is basically the production car. While I am sure those lovely seat upholstery are concept only I am betting the exterior is more or less exactly not going to change. The only tweaks I could see at this point is if the mid-phase production tweaks changes the look of the R56/R57.</p>
<p>Come what may I am very excited by this development and think hands down this car would make a great choice for taking the JCW sub-brand further yet. I would love to see a little bump in hp, the great JCW 4 pot brakes, a more tuned version of the JCW suspension, and a diet (remove a lot of sound deading, carbon roof, lighter weight seats). Imagine a slightly lower and wider Mini with ~500lbs removed, for me this would be the ideal car.</p>
<p>Yes most of you/us think in term of performance, so the little loss of weight and little lower gravity center are welcome for sure…</p>
<p>But Mini is something else than just performance = kids smile when they see it.
When they will see this “thing” i don’t think there will be so many kids smiles.</p>
<p>Well r.burns think this car is aimed at the performance crowd not the kids. They will smile bigger when Mom and Dad show up in the gnarly R60 to pick them up from soccer practice.</p>
<p>I don’t talk about R60 that will be the Cayenne Mini, to help Mini to survive in such an economical context</p>
<p>hideous.</p>
<p>Its good, needs some more refinement, but in good time we will see that. I hope it makes production.</p>
<p>Woah, is that a wig instead of a roof? Everything else looks good, but remove the toupe and give it some hair plugs!</p>
<p>Interesting aspect of the design – the interior shots seem to show a small quarter window between the door and the hatch. Yet on the outside this panel looks blacked out, and has a small spoiler molded in like the C panel on the R56. On the R56 this panel is plastic, but here on the Couper it must be molded into the glass?</p>
<p>…I don’t now… it’s kind of like a french beret on a german; it looks ok, but you know it’s not quite right. However, you must consider that the german guy thinks it looks pretty cool… Personally, I like the concept but then again not everyone looks good with a funny hat on….</p>
<p>build it of course they should and can i have one delivered to my door tomorrow please</p>
<p>I think the center stack, which many people hate in the current Coopers, should be redesigned in this new model. In a couple of the pictures, I still see the familiar radio control and center stack.</p>
<p>Otherwise it is OK, I would not order one blindly, but I would not rule that out either. Seems to miss some of the utility in the Cooper, hope the body mass is lessened as a result.</p>
<p>I would buy this as is. It is a fresh design that still maintains the Mini look. Sign me up for one!!!</p>