Revealed: New Mini Coupe Set to Become First Modern Two-Seat Mini
By Greg Migliore
This is what enthusiasts have been waiting for. From the cute Mini coupe concept that debuted almost two years ago at the Frankfurt motor show to today, when the sporty two-seat Mini Coupe in the United States has finally been revealed as reality.
Mini released the first pictures of its diminutive new car on Monday, which will fittingly and simply be called the Mini Coupe. As the name implies, this is the first two-seat Mini since the brand re-launched in the U.S. market in 2002. It will be offered with a lineup of potent four-cylinder engines, including a range-topping John Cooper Works variant making 208 hp from a 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbo with direct injection. The Cooper S model will push out 181 hp, also from a twin-scroll turbo four, and the base unit will make 121 hp.
A six-speed manual gearbox will be standard, with a six-speed automatic an option on some versions of the Mini Coupe.
Mini paid close attention to the chassis setup in keeping with its tradition of go-kart driving character, and the car employs a MacPherson strut setup in front and multi-link configuration in rear. Wheel packages range from 15 inches on the standard Mini Coupe, to 17 inches on the John Cooper Works model. An optional sport suspension returns a firmer drive, Mini says, and a Works suspension lowers things 10 mm.
The styling is typical Mini, with the familiar headlights and grille accenting the brand’s slight but distinctive proportions. The Coupe gets what Mini calls a “three-box” layout, which differs from other models in the line. Three boxes account for the engine compartment, passenger area and trunk.
Also of interest, the Mini Coupe is fitted with a rear spoiler that’s automatically deployed at speeds of 50 mph—the first Mini to get such technology.
The Mini Coupe: Two seats. Finally.
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Forget the graphics, look at the car, then drive the car, than decide if you like it or not.
Do this in a hybrid and you have completed the circle. We need to STOP using fossil fuel. This car is built to be driven and built to be driven by people who care about the planet more than the do about how they look driving something.
It is a great design, a great drive, two seater is yet another option for people who should be looking more at cars like this than huge turbo trucks that take up 3 supermarket parking spaces or luxury cars that get six feet to the gallon. I think Prius is one of the better choices for a daily driver out there, but sporty? Are you kidding me, they look like a deformed Kleenex box.
The looks are just bad. My Prius looks more sporty than this thing. Seriously, is this the end of the Mini? Really, work on the quality issues and stop with the new junky look. Skip the spy decal, this is not a sexy car.
As to high gas mileage? Most of the Mini-cooper models get less than a well tuned Mini-Van. Ok, maybe not that bad, but I wouldn't buy one for MPG.
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