MINI’s Roadster & Coupé Making North American Debut at LA
The MINI Roadster and Coupé will be making its North American debut at the LA Autoshow this week. The show starts on the 4th of December and runs through the 13th. Meanwhile back in Munich MINI’s design team is working tirelessly to finish the final design of the “twins” (as they are known internally) before they go to production. Ultimately we expect some subtle differences on both cars’ front and rear bumpers further differentiating them from other MINI models. Also expect unique wheels and interior trim to further enhance their stature among the model line-up. Finally look for Cooper and Cooper S models to be joined by a JCW model shortly after launch. At this time there are no plans for lower powered models (like a MINI One or MINI Ray) to be offered .
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One last bit of info that we’ve heard. Both cars have official MINI product code-names. The Roadster and the Coupé are now known as the R58 and R59 respectively.
<p>“Finally look for Cooper and Cooper S models to be joined by a JCW model shortly after launch. At this time there are no plans for lower powered models to be offered.”</p>
<p>are you contradicting yourself? or do you mean they won’t go as far as to offer it it one trim?</p>
<p>No Hardingsan Gabe is meaning no Mini one development of these cars.</p>
<p>Pretty excited to see what they do with the car to make it stand out. Just hoping that they don’t make any changes to the rake of the windscreen.</p>
<p>Also one big hope is that Mini learned through the less than stellar sell rate of the JCW Mini that the JCW versions of these cars will be somehow unique from the Cooper and Cooper S version. I also hope that we will see the biggest short coming of the current JCW with lack of a proper suspension.</p>
<p>Can’t wait to see these at the LAAS!</p>
<p>First of all, I don’t mean to upset any Cooper owners, but…</p>
<p>Why are Cooper versions being built? Aren’t these models supposed to be the “Sport” or “Enthusiast” versions of the R57 coupe and vert?</p>
<p>JonPD – thanks!</p>
<p>Brian I would say economy of scale. Developing any new vehicle (even one like this with a lot shared components) is a seriously expensive process and building it for a wider variety will help. Saying this I still feel that the JCW version needs to stand apart from the Cooper S still.</p>
<p>Now only to get a R59 with the JCW Recaro’s and life would be complete.</p>
<p>JonPD, I like your style with the Recaros!</p>
<p>The only question is whether I have the patience to wait for the R59, or if I’ll crack and grab a refreshed R56 next year?</p>
<p>I see a lot of “refresh” in these cars. The dash speedo seems smaller, the seats nicer, a leather dash (wow). Of course, the outside is different too. My guess is that these vehicles will be high dollar. Can’t wait to see the JCW version(s). SAVE! NOW!</p>
<p>Brian, the Cooper is also an enthusiast car. I don’t see the necessity of having a turbo and zero to 80 in 6 secs a requirement to driving a nice car. I’d love to have a 2 seat roadster and don’t necessarily want a turbo. I currently have a R56 Cooper I love. My dad used to drive me around in a Red TR-3 ages ago. I could definitely see myself in a chili red cooper roadster, and loving every minute of it.</p>
<p>JonPD – glangford</p>
<p>Right it could be viewed that way on the economy of scale side. However since everything is shared so much with the R56, the economy of scale for the Cooper engine in R58 or 59 is already spread out over the world so much, that i cant see how these niche cars would spread out the costs even more.
Regarding point of view that the Cooper model as enthusiast car for the R58 and 59 models, I respectfully disagree.</p>
<p>For example, today you can be an enthusiast and autocross your car and puchase a Cooper for that; which is perfect, I agree.
However, what I’m saying is that these models seemed to be developed and targeted specifically for the higher performance segment. Just look at the cars, they shout “I am bad ass”, especially the R59 Coupé, which in my opinion corresponds with having the higher spec engines only.</p>
<p>Are they going to be in different colours in L.A.?</p>
<p>I don’t think that there is ANYTHING wrong with MINI building a Just-a-Roadster. Why not? With the weight savings that comes with the manual top this will be a great little car. Not everyone needs the HP of the Cooper S, the 6 Speed gear box plus the fact that the Cooper sips gas is great in todays economy makes it a win win decision.</p>
<p>Economies of scale confuse me a little with mini. Haven’t they maxxed their plant capacity awhile ago? Couple that with their build to order system and logically they are already selling at max capacity. So additional models without additional facilities is pointless. Theoretically if there’s no demand for say a clubman Cooper the demand is simply be replaced with a convertible s, right…?</p>
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<p>Today @ LA’s auto show</p>