2009 Frankfurt Motor Show: MINI Coupe Concept Slips Out Early. STUD Or DUD?

2009 Frankfurt Motor Show: MINI Coupe Concept Slips Out Early. STUD Or DUD?
Presenting the concept of an uncompromisingly sporting two-seater to be seen for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show (17–27 September 2009), MINI is unveiling an unusually attractive vision of how the model family may well develop in future. The source of inspiration is once again the fundamental motive so characteristic of every MINI: driving pleasure.



The MINI Coupé Concept therefore represents the ideal of a car destined in every respect to offer a thrilling experience and make every journey a truly unique thrill. The MINI Coupé Concept brings together a wide range of features for a truly sporting and ambitious style of motoring. Limited to two seats and following a philosophy of consistent lightweight construction, the car clearly meets all the requirements made of a particularly active and dynamic coupe a cute;. Compact dimensions, perfect axle load distribution and a low centre of gravity offer ideal conditions for enhancing the agility typical of MINI to a level never seen before.

Through its design alone, the MINI Coupé Concept brings out all the thrill of individual mobility and the focus on pure driving pleasure. Powerful proportions and dynamic design language evoke a sense of desire and strong appeal, the MINI Coupé Concept offering a particularly undiluted expression of the brand through its sporting and unconventional stance on the road.

2009 MINI Coupe Concept Frankfurt Motor Show Full Press Release








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mac075mac075 - 8/26/2009 12:31:46 AM
+2 Boost
It does have a MINI-esque quality that you can't deny... but is it a coupe that will be popular in large volumes? The front and rear photos are pleasant enough, but the three-quarter shots leave a lot to be desired... This may be a case of just getting used to it?


WorldofLuxuryWorldofLuxury - 8/26/2009 12:46:57 AM
+3 Boost
That's pretty cool!


B7FANB7FAN - 8/26/2009 10:48:33 AM
+2 Boost
I like everything except for the roof I dont know what they were thinking but that roof needs to be done over.


DaHarderDaHarder - 8/26/2009 12:48:51 AM
+8 Boost
It's certainly a 'distinctive' effort, but... Given the previously leaked (almost Audi TT-esque)renderings, it's not quite as sleek/elegant as one might have hoped. I can't say that I'm appalled by it's appearance, though it's a bit more 'cartoonish' than I (personally) find appealing.


Agent001Agent001 - 8/26/2009 12:49:29 AM
-1 Boost
BRUTAL is IN

001


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 8/26/2009 12:53:20 AM
+5 Boost
The roof reminds me of someone who wears a ball cap backwards.


BMWMBMWM - 8/26/2009 1:08:51 AM
-1 Boost
Way to quote the designer.

STUD!


EL34EL34 - 8/26/2009 1:04:15 AM
-4 Boost
This Mini Coupe is a stud like all of their cars.

The word is Mini will take over the commerical vacant building that used to be occupied by Bauer Jaguar, Aston Martin and Land Rover at the Santa Ana Auto Mall here in Orange County, Ca. Crevier BMW is across the street.


LUXCAR32LUXCAR32 - 8/26/2009 1:10:09 AM
+2 Boost
1) I feel like this will look better in a different color, and without the white roof.
2) I was hoping for a more aggressive look. It's basically the same as the hatchback below the beltline. Minor changes to the headlights could have helped so much and would have made it more distinct.


rxh8me9000rxh8me9000 - 8/26/2009 1:57:03 AM
+2 Boost
I want one. Red and black theme for me.


darzavdarzav - 8/26/2009 2:21:13 AM
-1 Boost
Looks awsome..


rigidrigid - 8/26/2009 8:14:59 AM
+3 Boost
Mini does have bigger cars to sell to people afraid of small cars they are called BMW's.
Anybody look at this thing and think toupee? I say cut off the top and make a nice speedster that would be cool. I also request a double bubble roof if the roof has to stay.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 8/26/2009 11:33:00 AM
+2 Boost
They already sell this car with the top cut off. It's called the convertible mini. ;)


EpikEpik - 8/26/2009 5:35:01 AM
-3 Boost
Fugly.


kuvakas1kuvakas1 - 8/26/2009 6:20:18 AM
+2 Boost
It's everything you would expect a coupe from Mini to be: edgy, slightly non-conventional, oddly proportioned but somehow endearing and aggressive for its size. It also has an instantly recognizable Mini design. You would know it was a Mini even of you had never seen one of the current, BMW issued generations. I think they've done a great job!


mini22mini22 - 8/26/2009 9:17:29 AM
+2 Boost
It does have a "cap on the head" look about it.However from the inside this is practical as there is a view out the c pillar. My only real critism is I wish they could have done some more with the head lights and the rear trunk area looks a bit tall. Otherwise not too bad.


WhelanWhelan - 8/26/2009 9:33:09 AM
+1 Boost
Personally I like to be able to look over my should or in my rearview and see whose behind me instead of my roof.


1dott81dott8 - 8/26/2009 9:35:02 AM
+1 Boost
i don't like the look of it but i can imagine myself having fun on a track with this.


JUGNUJUGNU - 8/26/2009 10:09:22 AM
+3 Boost
Looks like a cross between regular Mini and Peugeot 207CC(roof up). Agree with those who r saying roof design is very cap-like. Nice.

JGUNU


didlydrumrdidlydrumr - 8/26/2009 10:43:02 AM
+1 Boost
i LOVE the wheels. Mini has done a great job with all of them throughout the years


02chuck02chuck - 8/26/2009 10:49:36 AM
+1 Boost
Small inexpensive coupe will be great! Have always wanted Mazda to make a Miata coupe. Was looking forward to the Solstice coupe. I do not tan and could not see buying a convertible to drive w/the top up all the time. It will interesting to see what the final product actually look like.


TrueAutoSpyTrueAutoSpy - 8/26/2009 11:50:26 AM
+5 Boost
A small inexpensive coupe WOULD be great, but this won't be one. Anyone who's priced a Mini Cooper S these days knows that BMW is asking some pretty crazy prices for these little runabouts. I'd bet that this will be priced in the 30k to 40k range, which is really a shame because at 20k it would be an awesome value, at 35k - Not!


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 8/26/2009 10:55:52 AM
0 Boost
I would think that its not dud, though its no stud (overall). I think the front portions are nice, though the rear 3/4 is lacking a "clean" or "smooth" design.


AlexTxAlexTx - 8/26/2009 11:11:14 AM
0 Boost
I don't know... I want to like it but the back is just too weird.
I really don't know why Mini does a coupe..
It's a departure from what Mini is all about....
They will dilute the brand.


JUGNUJUGNU - 8/26/2009 11:40:58 AM
+3 Boost
I think All or almost all brands will dilute. It's just a matter of time.

JUGNU


JanizaryJanizary - 8/26/2009 12:26:50 PM
+1 Boost
Stud to me. Love the raked windscreen and the profile is gorgeous. Of course, it will cost as much as a 370Z...


M53RM53R - 8/26/2009 1:33:20 PM
0 Boost
I think it looks pretty good. Didn't expect them to manage to make it look sporty.


thstonethstone - 8/26/2009 2:43:03 PM
-2 Boost
STUD. And I am not particularly fond of Mini's ...


theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 8/26/2009 3:50:10 PM
+2 Boost
It's just a Mini "S" with a Dorothy Hamill roof line, horrible!


nguyenvuminhnguyenvuminh - 8/27/2009 12:04:30 AM
+1 Boost
I agree with huu on this one, "no purpose". It seats/stores less, no more fun than the other Mini, certainly less fun than a convertible. Sounds like the X6 to me. In effect, it does nothing more than forcing the "differentiation" aspect. Being different does gets attention but that doesn't mean being different is nice.


ajaxajax - 8/27/2009 12:46:02 AM
+1 Boost
in all honesty, this is a pretty lazy design. this gains nothing over a regular jcw mini, but loses a lot more utility. if it were more like the concept art that was leaked a few weeks back, i could understand. but this has nothing new except a lower roofline...amirite?


valhallakeyvalhallakey - 8/27/2009 1:58:08 AM
+1 Boost
Agree with Ajax, there needs to be more to it than a different top.


mini22mini22 - 8/29/2009 11:27:01 AM
+1 Boost
This car is not about utility. It's supposed to be Mini's sports car. A strict 2 seater in the mould of an Audi TT. The spider version will also be a Franfurt. Obvously BMW is simply changing the top half of the car primarily. However with it's lighter weight and lower center of gravity it should be a bit quicker and handle better. I do wish Mini could have made the front and rear end a little longer. Because the car is so short over it's overhangs it looks a bit stubby. However I'm sure the designers were constricted to simply redesigning the top for cost reasons. The JCW version will probably cost around 35 grand. However I would not be surprised if they do also do a cheaper Cooper S version as well. The car looks production ready. It will be interesting to see the spider in final form.


Arsen89Arsen89 - 8/29/2009 12:11:03 PM
+1 Boost
This looks just like any other mini. I bet you could do the same thing with the convertible just add a roof that looks like the top of that mini coupe and you are ready to go!
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