Would MINI's Speedster Dethrone Mazda's MX-5 As King Of The Drop Top Two Seaters?

Would MINI's Speedster Dethrone Mazda's MX-5 As King Of The Drop Top Two Seaters?
Feast your eyes on the fastest and most desirable MINI ever! This is the Speedster – a head-turning two-seater drop-top that will combine dramatic looks with sizzling performance. Arriving hot on the heels of the Crossman – the firm’s first 4x4 – the stunning roadster will take the famous brand further into uncharted territory.

Rumours have been circulating for a number of years about the Speedster, which will rival the next-generation Mazda MX-5, as well as Honda’s upcoming CRZ. But it appears bosses at MINI’s parent company BMW have finally plucked up the courage to make the firm’s first genuine sports car a reality. And our exclusive images show how the flagship will look.

Unlike the Crossman, which borrows its underpinnings from the forthcoming BMW X1, the Speedster will use the same platform as the MINI Convertible. This allows maximum flexibility for component sharing with the current range, and will help to minimise development costs.


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B7FANB7FAN - 4/23/2009 12:04:40 PM
0 Boost
if the performance is as good as its looks then I would say yes it will either dethrone it or come very close competitor to it. but BMW shouldnt be going after Mazda they are beneath them


crslmncrslmn - 4/24/2009 12:12:18 PM
+1 Boost
A Miata retractable hardtop can go over $30,000. It is also rear wheel drive and one of the best handling most fun cars on the market.


camrydrivercamrydriver - 4/24/2009 9:53:40 PM
+2 Boost
This is a MINI not a BMW.


camrydrivercamrydriver - 4/24/2009 9:55:27 PM
+2 Boost
Just because a headline writer pits two cars against each doesn't mean that one is "going after" the other.


theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 4/23/2009 12:17:07 PM
+4 Boost
No, Mini front wheel drive, Miata rear wheel drive. Sales Mini might have the edge.


M316M316 - 4/23/2009 1:13:03 PM
+1 Boost
why didnt they make the entire lineup look like that?



blaniac22blaniac22 - 4/23/2009 1:20:31 PM
+4 Boost
Nicest Mini i have ever seen.

I just think they should do something completely out of the box in terms of design.


LauderdaleDriverLauderdaleDriver - 5/1/2009 6:02:45 PM
+1 Boost
Skye and Solstice are toast already, and that was true before they killed off Saturn and Pontiac. Kappa platform is DOA.

Shame, which they had had a practical top, in Florida, that roof is a big problem in sudden downpours.


CarCrazedinCaliCarCrazedinCali - 4/23/2009 3:31:20 PM
+2 Boost
I think this will be a hit. It looks great and will gaurantee drive wonderfully. BimmerMike46, the gauge cluster is a heritage thing- besides there is a digital readout of your speed in the tachometer if you choose to have it show that information. I agree with B7FAN as well, Mazda is beneath BMW's MINI. LET'S MOTOR!


mini22mini22 - 4/23/2009 3:36:15 PM
+1 Boost
It really depends on how Mini prices it.As for driving fun the Miata would be the better drivers car as it is RWD.Further owning an 06 R53 S I can tell you that the Mini is quick but it does suffer from torque steer that you will never find in a Miata.It does have a more quality interior then the Miata the speedster will have nicer seats. I still think the current iteration of the Miata(2010) looks nicer but that's my opinion.


holmstarholmstar - 4/23/2009 4:08:40 PM
+2 Boost
Had the opportunity to sit in a new MX-5 GT recently and it was actually a pretty nice interior. Better than any mini I've ever sat in.


Type707Type707 - 4/23/2009 4:54:03 PM
-1 Boost
I think its a good competition. Would it stand against a Honda S2000 though?


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 4/23/2009 8:12:55 PM
+3 Boost
Give it a more comfy ride, a larger engine with RWD and a good 6- or 7-speed automatic and I might just become a customer.


investor27investor27 - 4/23/2009 10:27:23 PM
+1 Boost
It looks like the Toyota MR2 from the back.

The reason why you don't feel any torque steer in the Miata is because it doesn't have any torque. Mazda needs to bring out the MazdaSpeed Miata. I still prefer the new Miata over this, though, but the Mini Concept is a very beautiful car.


crslmncrslmn - 4/24/2009 12:16:19 PM
+2 Boost
You know in a rear wheel drive car you won't feel torque steer no matter how much torque you have.


PPowerPPower - 4/24/2009 3:34:21 PM
+1 Boost
Since it is a small convertible, it will be competition. Being FWD vs. RWD, this reminds me of Miata vs. Civic del Sol. I loved the del Sol, but the FWD killed it. I think it would be cool for Mini to have something like the Smart Roadster but with the 1.6L.


mini22mini22 - 4/24/2009 7:21:48 PM
+1 Boost
BimmerMike46 is absolutely correct. The Miata does not have close to the torque of the Mini. However it would not matter. A FWD car will never have the feel of a RWD car no matter how much or how little power it has. The new Focus RS with it's "RevoNuckle" jointed front suspension bushing does a very good job of managing 300HP but there is still "torque steer".Further it will always have front drive understeer at the limit. Saying that I'm sure it will have great handling and cornering power for a front wheel drive car.The proposed design is not bad but I'ts not as pretty as the Miata.As for the interior I too have sat in a new Miata. It is nicer then the previous versions but I still find the interior of my 2006 Mini Cooper S to be nicer then the Miata.
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