The long awaited MINI Coupe is so very nearly here. A production version has been on the cards since MINI revealed the car in concept form at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Today they released all the intimate details of the new Coupe and what different flavors it will come in. The only thing MINI forgot to do was take all the camouflage off the car before getting their camera out. clearly MINI want to slowly bleed the information out over time in order to garner as much attention as possible.
The MINI Coupe is the first two-seater production car to come from the company since it was reborn under BMW ownership. Like all MINIs there is a strong focus on driver enjoyment, although with the Coupe it’s taken up a notch. The MINI Coupe wasn’t designed to be a practical car, so the engine options, chassis setup, weight distribution, packaging and aerodynamics don’t need to be compromised by things like making sure there’s ample cargo space or rear-seat legroom.
The MINI Coupe’s handling is designed to offer go-kart like point-and-shoot abilities. Unfortunately for RWD aficionados, the MINI Coupe sticks with the company’s tried and tested FWD layout. But considering how well they do it, not many will complain. Helping provide the MINI Coupe with more spirited handling are a range of features and upgraded components. First off, the Coupe sits 29mm (1.14 inches) lower than the regular MINI, in addition it has an active rear spoiler which extends automatically at 50mph, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) as standard and DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) with EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control) as an option (standard on MINI John Cooper Works Coupe).
The styling of the MINI Coupe hasn’t changed much on the road to production. The concept version was characterised by the unique roof line which was inspired by the appearance of a backwards cap, this peaked roof, for better or worse, has been retained on the production car. In fact just about the only noticeable change is the grille. Instead of the concept’s body colored grille, complete with racing stripes, the production MINI Coupe has a more sensible looking conventional mesh grille.
When the MINI Coupe goes on sale it will be available with a range of petrol and diesel engines normally reserved for MINI’s higher- specced cars. They range from the fun but frugal MINI Cooper SD Coupe which has 143 horsepower. All the way up to the manic MINI John Cooper Works Coupe which puts out an extremely healthy 211 horsepower.
Below are the details on the four models which will be available:
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: 0–62 mph: 6.4 seconds,
Top speed: 149 mph.
Average fuel consumption according to EU standard: 39.8 mpg (7.1 litres per 100 kilometres),
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: 0–62 mph: 6.9 seconds,
Top speed: 143 mph.
Average fuel consumption according to EU standard: 48.7 mpg (5.8 litres per 100 kilometres),
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: 0–62 mph: 9.0 seconds,
Top speed: 127 mph
Average fuel consumption according to EU standard: 52.3 mpg (5.4 litres per 100 kilometres),
CO2 emissions: 127 g/km.
MINI Cooper SD Coupé:
Four-cylinder turbodiesel with aluminium 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: 0–62 mph: 7.9 seconds,
Top speed: 134 mph
Average fuel consumption according to EU standard: 65.7 mpg (4.3 litres per 100 kilometres)
CO2 emissions: 114 g/km.
Source: MINI
