Roadster & Coupe to Feature Movable Rear Spoiler
Both TotalMINI and Bigblogg are reporting that the the R58 Roadster and R59 Coupe will feature movable rear spoilers similar to the Audi TT RS or Porsche Carrara. Typically a movable spoiler deploys at speeds over 30-50 mph and helps create downforce and stability at higher speeds.
Earlier in the year we had heard the rear portion of the cars were being redesigned from the concept cars that debuted last year and we had even alluded to it in a recent article. Now we know what that (at least partially) entails.
Production Schedule
First up will be the R59 MINI Coupé coming in August of 2011. The R59 will launch in MCS and possibly even JCW form initially (if the JCW model isn’t available at launch it’ll come shortly thereafter). MINI will be marketing the car as its most focused and hardcore product yet while highlighting the unique and personal design.
Next up is the R58 Roadster arriving at a dealer near you in March of 2012. We expect the same line-up of MCS and JCW available at launch (or shortly thereafter with the JCW).
Both cars will sport a redesigned front and rear facia and unique hood designs. Currently MINI is looking at several designs ranging from an Aston like look with the running lights placed closer to the corners. It’s all in an effort to make the two cars unique in design from their Hatch and Convertible siblings.
<p>Can’t wait!</p>
<p>Exciting! If the JCW is done right it may lure me back to Mini!</p>
<p>Sweet. I just posted in your other article that the JCW just makes more sense to me in the coupe, roadster. Any idea if they are making further tweaks to the engine to distinguish these models even more from the MCS?</p>
<p>All news about these cars is always welcome. My question is will us tall people, (6’3″ for me,) fit into these cars without having to be a contortionist? And yes, the Roadster will have to be driven with the top up from time to time so that is not the answer I am looking for.</p>
<p>Ugly car…</p>
<p>It makes me think of Renault Wind.
Same proportions.</p>
<p>Or, you like the idea of a cubical coupé, a cubical roadster. Not my philosophy of a roadster.</p>
<p>It sounds like there has been a little bit of slippage in the production dates; I seem to remember hearing that the coupe was coming in the Spring of 2011 . . . But then the R60 experienced some delays, so it’s not too surprising that other models have as well. I would also expect MINI to separate new model introductions so that: A) one new model doesn’t upstage another, and B) the buzz and dealer traffic last longer</p>
<p>seems like a long wait for cars that are simply derived from the current platform. Will the excitement be gone when they finally arrive?</p>
<p>All in all still sounds interesting. Really looking forward to seeing the final designs. Now if they would only use the car to redevelop the factory jcw into something something more lust-worthy than the current offering. Still believe hard that the R59 would make a great base for a GP mk2.</p>
<p>@B- Same here. Roadsters need their top down to look and feel right. Yet, the top-down mode is so seldom practical — especially in northern and wet climates. The R59 door opening looks right only for shorter 20 and 30-somethings. Not so inviting for taller (and) 60-somethings like me. I recall someone (maybe Gert Hildebrand?) envisioning older guys buying the R59 and R58 to cruise down a Coast Highway, fantasizing about their younger days. Is a target buyer being pushed out of the market?</p>
<p>I really liked the roadster concept car. But with what you are saying about the rear end changes, I guess I would probably not buy one.</p>
<p>I would hold off on judging the final product until we get more info. Heck even with my displeasure over the R60 the MINI design team still did a good job with the final product and I would bet on nothing less with the Twins.</p>
<p>hmmm. i had a car once that had a spoiler that engaged at a certain speed. i got so tired of it making the noise when it lifted. let’s hope it’s quiet on the MINI coupe, since it looks like it will be located right behind the driver’s head.</p>
<p>Does this mean the spoiler on the roof of the coupe is going to be replaced by the rear wing, or is still going to be on? I love the concept of the coupe, but I just can’t come to grips with how goofy the current roof spoiler looks. If it’s gone, and in it’s stead a deployable rear wing is in it’s place, that’s a welcome change. My only concern would be how much weight it would add, and how much space it would take up in an already small boot.</p>
<p>Great, a MINI that is the same size on the outside and smaller on the inside. I own a 2004 MCS and like it very much. That being said I do wish its ratio of interior volume to exterior footprint was comparable to that of the original Mini.</p>
<p>Not cars for everybody. You could be in luck with the Spacebox David if your looking for interior space it sounds like.</p>
<p>I love the rear of the concept roadster shown above, I think adding a spoiler will spoil (pun intended) the look.</p>
<p>The teasing of the MINI Coupe will begin at the end of the year.</p>
<p>In the meantime a first look into the idea of A Soon-to-be-seen MINI ALL4 Activity Coupe Concept (Project Canyon) is on show @ germancarforum and Bimmerpost.</p>
<p>Cool news about the R59 Scott, really looking forward to seeing more. Much less so more SAV derivatives that lead us to the bigger is better BMW philosophy that seems to be a key part of the R60 family. Looking forward to the day we start getting information on a salvaging of the jcw brand.</p>
<p>I know many that will love it still just not my cup of tea.</p>
<p>How about a speed deployed rear wing. Additionally, make the current top wing on the coupe into an air brake. Now that would turn some heads. “Did you see that coupe stop?” I am just ready for this car to show it’s face. MINI you are killing me with the wait. Is it Christmas yet so I can open my presents?</p>
<p>HOT !</p>
<p>I’m liking the sound of a more “hard edged” coupe. That is definitely something I am more interested in.</p>
<p>What’s a Porsche Carrara?</p>
<blockquote>That being said I do wish its ratio of interior volume to exterior footprint was comparable to that of the original Mini.</blockquote>
<p>Totally agree. If there is a “core value” to the (rapidly fading) Mini brand, it was interior space for four adults within a minimal exterior envelope. Add to that extremely sporting handling and feel. With a dash of no-frills functional design.</p>
<p>These two-seaters built on a four-seat platform with their wasted length and silly retractable spoilers just don’t fit into what Mini is (was) about, imo. Although they do fit very well into what the Honda Del Sol was about. I was never a big fan, myself.</p>
<p>More so still than a R60 I still believe that.guy.</p>
<p>Could just be me though.</p>
<p>The retractable rear spoiler is great as opposed to a ricey fixed spoiler. It was one of the things I liked about the 215hp Chysler Crossfire when it came out and the thing I hated about the 370 hp version that followed.</p>
<p>I like the Kernal’s idea of a vertical deployment position for the spoiler to “act” as a pseudo air brake. Hey, we’d all be able to motor about pretending to be in in little versions of the Veyron :lol:</p>
<p>What is the length of this compared to the regular hardtop?</p>
<p>From the belt-line down its a R57 so the same length as the convertible.</p>
<p>I thought these were supposed to be a couple of inches shorter (less long).</p>
<p>“seems like a long wait for cars that are simply derived from the current platform.”</p>
<p>I was wondering the same thing.</p>
<p>If it is the same size as the r56/57 I’d rather have the back seats. I’ll give them up if we shrink the wheelbase several inches.</p>
<blockquote>If it is the same size as the r56/57 I’d rather have the back seats.</blockquote>
<p>So would Sir Alec. No doubt he is rolling in his grave.</p>