MINI Coupe Spied Yet Again (Updated)
We’ve seen a few sets of spy shots of the MINI Coupé since our first postings, but these new photos are the first in a while to show us anything new. Specifically, we’re getting a good look at the new roofline and a new, more aggressive front splitter (nevermind those winter wheels and tires). These new photos are also a lot closer, and give us an even better sense of the shape of the new car. It’s remarkable just how close the production car seems to be to the original Coupé concept car we saw so many months ago. But what about the JCW version? Luckily we’ve got photos of that as well.
Auto Express managed to capture a silver and red JCW test car as it roamed Munich recently. Clad with the JCW aerokit, wheels and tell-tale red mirrors this will be the pinnacle of the coupe line-up. It also happens to look great in our eyes.
You can view a full gallery of these photos over at KilometerMagazine.com. and Auto Express.
<p>Like all MINIs, it will look better with bigger wheels and lowering springs. The camo is doing its job disguising the back end well, but I’m pretty sure I don’t like the spoiler at the top of the hatch. It’s too flat and would be better if it were open in the middle like the R53’s wing.</p>
<p>those look like the narrow 16″ wheels that Mini offers for snow tires</p>
<p>I really like how the overall shape is being finalized. Very intrigued by this über MINI…</p>
<p>Man, if Google can get pictures of people doing crazy things everyday with Street View cameras you would think that these spies could get some better shots of this car!</p>
<p>More fuel for the fire of wanting this car!</p>
<p>That JCW Especially looks lush! Velvet Silver looks ace with the red trim bits!</p>
<p>Great looking car imo. No surprise that its very close to the concept since BMW has a long term habit of showing 90%+ finalized design on their concept cars.</p>
<p>One question I have is that I guess MINI gave up on the front and rear fascia to make them look unique over the R56 like was reported on MF a while back? These are just standard JCW bits.</p>
<p>Anyone want to buy a 2005 Cooper S? I am ready to sell this fall.</p>
<p>Just not loving it…</p>
<p>hmm, to me this looks very “plain vanilla”.
and yes what happened to the front and rear bits to set it apart from the rest of the fam?</p>
<p>I understand the countryman, but I don’t understand what the advantage is of this MINI over the others besides aesthetics being different (depending on opinion better or worse). Its a 2 seater right? And will cost around $25,000+ for the S. Are there any significant performance gains to be had? Otherwise this car is just a way to waste the same or more more money for much less car…</p>
<p>That’s unfortunate they didn’t come up with a special front and rear fascia for the this car. Hopefully they’ll propose something really unique like they did for with the GP for the R53 to end the R56’s cycle (and that doesn’t cost $40,000+)…</p>
<p>So will the twins just be around until the gen 3 intro in late 2012?</p>
<p>Now the Auto Express shots are great! I like the look of the JCW kit on the car! Now if it only came with the Just A Cooper hood we would have a beautiful car!</p>
<p>The cammo really does its job! The auto Express shots of the rear of the car show the roof spoiler MUCH more attractive than the Kilometer Magazine ones do!</p>
<p>I don’t know if it’s growing on me or what, but I’m liking the look the more I see it. The back still looks boxy and weird though, and that spoiler needs to go. If this thing is significantly faster than my ’11 MCS, it will surely be interesting.</p>
<p>MINI Vanilli: The early reports were a curb weight around 200 pounds lighter than the hatchbacks. That counts as a performance gain for sure.</p>
<p>Ive thought that since I first seen the concept of this edition of the Mini, the thing that keeps screaming at me Miata, Miata, Miata. ITS A GIRLY CAR, however each to his own!!!!!</p>
<p>IMO, the coupe concept represents another example of MINI’s attempt to be all things to all people. I’m reasonably confident that it is just a matter of time before we see a MINI pickup truck, and perhaps, even a microbus to rival the 2012 Volkswagen retro return.</p>
<p>While I do my best to keep my mind open and to appreciate fresh ideas, I cannot say that this example scores a bullseye, at least to my sensibilities. Aesthetics aside, which are arguably not very compelling, but rather uninspired,</p>
<p>I think a coupe could extol maximum performance characteristics e.g., lower CD, power-to-weight ratio, and superior handling when compared to other MINI models.</p>
<p>In terms of design, I think the roadster is more appealing, although I favor the torsional rigidity of a coupe for reaching performance objectives.</p>
<p>I agree with many commentators regarding their description of the rear end design as unattractively boxy. And I,for one, may never come to terms with the roof design. It looks very disruptive and diminishes the otherwise reasonably flowing lines of the vehicle.</p>
<p>This car should not be made in any trim thats not a JCW. It looks weak without the aero. It should be a “sports car” not a “fun” car that comes is “cooper” or “S” trim.</p>
<p>JCW MINI Coupe…I smell a Porsche rematch…</p>
<p>not too crazy about the active spoiler – I think its going to be a weak point in the design where perhaps the concept was better.</p>
<p>JCW with black headlights? Guess it was just a matter of time…</p>
<p>Go ahead and order mine, I want one.</p>
<p>I was in the Boxter Spyder at Laguna a week ago. MINI will have to come miles before a rematch is anything but a marketing joke.</p>
<p>Let’s keep some perspective here, MINIs are probably close to the most fun per dollar there is out there to be had. But it’s far from a real performance king.</p>
<p>Now this car should handle better and have higher top speed than the coupe. But you sure give up a lot of utility for those advantages. (I’m guessing that windshield replacements will be fewer as well).</p>
<p>Can’t wait to drive one to get a first hand feel for it.</p>
<p>But for a two seater? I see a bunch of Porsche Caymans for sale on eBay at the sticker of this car. And Cayman Ss are there for what a JCW will go for. Still under warranty too!</p>
<p>Decisions, decisions….</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<blockquote>Like all MINIs, it will look better with bigger wheels and lowering springs. The camo is doing its job disguising the back end well, but I’m pretty sure I don’t like the spoiler at the top of the hatch. It’s too flat and would be better if it were open in the middle like the R53′s wing.</blockquote>
<p>You want a show car that mows the lawn ? act like this</p>
<p>I prefer efficiency with light Challenge wheels…</p>
<p>I think the rear window treatment is ugly. It looks like a rearward baseball cap on the youth of today.</p>
<p>Is it me or are a lot of people actually changing their minds on how they feel about the twins? Seems like the concepts cars had way more positive feedbacks…never been a huge fan anyway…</p>
<p>ugly</p>
<p>I’ve been watching this closely as my 1M order has an October build date. If Mini knocks this out of the park I may opt for the JCW and save $10k.</p>
<p>In the meantime, bought a loaded pristine 2006 Cayman S with 21k miles fully certified by my dealer for $36k. If we are talking about used Porsches vs new JCW Coupes I think Mini better have some surprises up their sleeve as I’m sure a well optioned JCW will be north of $40k.</p>
<p>The word for it, at least the rear 1/2, is fugly!</p>
<p>Hello Fiat 500 Abarth.</p>
<p>I’m always baffled after clicking a link to a Mini article on another site that everybody hates these cars. Everybody. There’s not a single comment on the Auto Express page that’s not insulting this car.</p>
<p>It makes me feel like while we’re all giving each other high fives over here on Motoringfile, everyone’s laughing at us.</p>
<p>I think that the Cayman is one of the most beautiful cars on the road…and this is…uh…not. For folks like me (I’m 6’7″) I seriously doubt that either are an option, but if I had to choose between a used Cayman and this…it would have to be the Cayman.</p>
<p>The other weekend , BMW managed to pool together a rare synergy of cars that in essence are previous models that showcase the MINI Coupe’s intentions.</p>
<p>And they gathered a few if you remember back in the eighties those fun small Japanese manufactured iconic small sports cars such as the Toyota MR-2 , Honda CR-X . Mitsubishi FTO and of course in the 1990’s there was Ford’s iconic Puma.</p>
<p>In essence the MINI Coupe is all about what these cars had – Character. They were fun to drive , easy to own, affordable and were examples of fast and powerful simplicity that left a lingering impression with the enthusiast.
That is what the MINI Coupe intends to do.</p>
<p>You will not find this much fun this side of a Porsche Cayman. That is why the MINI Coupe will be impressive to MINI enthusiasts… It has it’s own character.</p>
<p>I’m digging this more and more! If it’s affordable, I’m getting an S as soon as I can!</p>
<p>HERR26: “In essence the MINI Coupe is all about what these cars had – Character. They were fun to drive, easy to own, affordable and were examples of fast and powerful simplicity that left a lingering impression with the enthusiast. That is what the MINI Coupe intends to do.”</p>
<p>Affordable? Uh, no. Unless…is MINI pricing the Coupe under the hatchbacks?!</p>
<p>Why would it have to be less than the hatch to be affordable? Sure, it may have less seats, less sheet metal and less weight but weight reduction is expensive. This is why a Cooper model should be offered, it will be the least expensive and still have a good power to weight ratio.</p>
<p>“Affordable? Uh, no. Unless…is MINI pricing the Coupe under the hatchbacks?!”</p>
<p>This side of a Porsche Cayman… , the MINI Coupe will offer the enthusiast something similiar . Focus , Precision and character. And you wont be asked for the Premium for a Porsche Cayman.
Especially the Coupe “S”</p>
<p>Interesting comment on the Fiat 500 Abarth. I am very intersted in that as well. I have read that one version is 190 HP with 221 lbs torque. At 2300 lbs and probably 2/3 the cost of a JCW I think Mini better hit the coffee.</p>
<p>I beat the snot out of a FIAT 500 Sport (not as powerful as the Abarth). It begs to be flogged, the harder you drive it, the more fun it is. The power is a bit low (120 hp, I think), and the interior materials aren’t as nice as in the MINI, but it’s a really fun car for sure!</p>
<p>Pretty much every one of the automotive journalists I spoke to (and there were tons of us at the event, close to 100, I think), thought the FIAT was gas! It’s less expensive than a MINI, less usefull than a MINI, clearly aimed at a segment a bit lower than the MINIs target. But a fun car for sure. Can’t wait to try an Abarth.</p>
<p>Anyway, I hope that the Twins are at the next WAJ Media Days next year. I’d love to see what they’re like in the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca.</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<blockquote>But for a two seater? I see a bunch of Porsche Caymans for sale on eBay at the sticker of this car. And Cayman Ss are there for what a JCW will go for. Still under warranty too!</blockquote>
<blockquote>If we are talking about used Porsches vs new JCW Coupes I think Mini better have some surprises up their sleeve as I’m sure a well optioned JCW will be north of $40k.</blockquote>
<p>Come on people… comparing new cars to used cars are apples and oranges. You can buy a used Lotus Elise that will spank the Cayman in the curves for well under $30K too.</p>
<p>Seriously! New vs new, Used vs used, OK? Keep it real. Sheesh.</p>
<p>herr, I love your insight and contributions to this website and you have given us many times great information.</p>
<p>I hope what you say is right as of right now i fail to see any of it. All I see is a chopped hatch.</p>
<p>Must dissagree with you Edge. I am a former Elise SC owner who moved “up” to the Cayman S. A better car in every way including handling and excelleration. Don’t believe everything you read.</p>
<p>I agree woth those who post comparisons of what you can buy certified used as a reasonable comparison to a new Coupe’. What aspect of a new Coupe’ do you find superior to a certified Porsche?</p>
<p>I believe in the context of value for money, Mini is a loser to many used cars. In other words, Mini is too expensive for what you get. And it’s not that exclusive a “club” anymore.</p>
<p>The party’s over for Mini if the don’t start delivering more car for the buck.</p>
<p>Mininerd – I stand corrected then on my example… but I still maintain that it isn’t fair to compare a new car against used cars.</p>
<p>The point being – if you’re going to look at “other” used cars, compare against <strong>used</strong> MINIs if price is one of the factors.</p>