The move from concept vehicle to production vehicle is almost becoming standard practice for Mini. So much so that when the company first unveiled the Mini Coupé concept vehicle alongside the Roadster concept vehicle at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, it was made clear the Coupé would be going into production. Mini subsequently announced a 2011 release date and, true to its word, the Coupé will be hitting showrooms this year, while the soft-top Roadster topless version is set to be released early next year.
The Mini Coupé will be the first two-seater to join the current Mini line - although some will argue the rear seats on the existing models couldn't really be considered seats by anyone with legs. The company says the chassis set-up of the Coupé has been designed to take the Mini's "go-kart" handling to a new level with what Mini says are the best performance statistics ever for a volume-produced Mini. The company says measures to enhance the rigidity of the Coupé's body have also resulted in the car's weight balance being shifted slightly forward to improve front wheel traction.
The Coupé sits 29 mm (1.1 in) lower than current Mini models and features a distinctive "helmet roof" with integrated roof spoiler. It is also the first Mini with an active rear spoiler that extends automatically at 80 km/h (50 mph).
The Coupé is due to hit showrooms in August with the Roadster due for a February 2012 release. It's unclear whether the Roadster will come in the same engine variants as the Coupé - the details of which are listed below.
MINI John Cooper Works Coupé: Four-cylinder petrol engine with twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection, plus numerous technological details carried over directly from motor sport. Displacement: 1,598 cc, output: 155 kW/211 hp at 6,000 rpm, max. torque: 260 Nm/192 lb-ft at 1,850 - 5,600 rpm (280 Nm/207 lb-ft with Overboost at 1,700 - 4,500 rpm). Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 6.4 seconds, top speed: 240 km/h (149 mph). Average fuel consumption according to EU standard: 7.1 liters per 100 kilometers (39.8 mpg imp), CO2 emissions: 165 g/km.
MINI Cooper S Coupé: Four-cylinder petrol engine with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group's VALVETRONIC technology. Displacement: 1,598 cc, output: 135 kW/184 hp at 5,500 rpm, max. torque: 240 Nm/177 lb-ft at 1,600 - 5,000 rpm (260 Nm/192 lb-ft with Overboost at 1,700 - 4,500 rpm). Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 6.9 seconds, top speed: 230 km/h (143 mph). Average fuel consumption according to EU standard: 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers (48.7 mpg imp), CO2 emissions: 136 g/km.
MINI Cooper Coupé: Four-cylinder petrol engine with fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group's VALVETRONIC technology. Displacement: 1,598 cc, output: 90 kW/122 hp at 6,000 rpm, max. torque: 160 Nm/118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm, Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 9.0 seconds, top speed: 204 km/h (127 mph), Average fuel consumption according to EU standard: 5.4 liters per 100 kilometers (52.3 mpg imp), CO2 emissions: 127 g/km.
MINI Cooper SD Coupé: Four-cylinder turbodiesel with aluminum crankcase, common-rail injection and variable turbine geometry. Displacement: 1,995 cc, output: 105 kW/143 hp at 4,000 rpm, max. torque: 305 Nm/225 lb-ft at 1,750 - 2,700 rpm. Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 7.9 seconds, top speed: 216 km/h (134 mph). Average fuel consumption according to EU standard: 4.3 liters per 100 kilometers (65.7 mpg imp), CO2 emissions: 114 g/km.