MINI Coupe - a concept.

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MINI Coupe - a concept.

Exactly 50 years from the first classic MINI being presented to the public on 26th August 1959, and nearly a decade into the life of the new MINI – a stunning new concept is released. The global press and public will see the MINI Coupe concept in the metal for the first time when it is unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show from 17 – 27 September 2009.

The MINI Coupe concept is designed to be the most agile MINI ever built. Strictly a two-seater, the low roof line, compact dimensions, perfect axle load distribution and lightweight construction are all trademarks of  genuine sports car.

Design icons of the MINI Coupe concept include: large round headlights inclusive of black internal reflectors; hexagonal radiator grille and low front spoiler mark the newcomer as a true MINI; unique exterior design cues include a bespoke rear spoiler; bonnet stripes extending to include the radiator grille; and an entirely revised front air dam.

Carefully calculated exterior dimensions give this concept car a muscular stance at 1,356mm high, 3,714mm long and 1,683mm wide. The steep rake of the A-pillars is accentuated by the high waistline common in MINIs across the range. But for the first time on a MINI, the weight saving aluminium roof is an unbroken bridge shape and flows smoothly from A to C pillars. The steep front rake stops above the heads of driver and front passenger and descends gently to the rear of the car, emphasising the wedge shape of the car and its sporty poise. The low rear end of the car ensures optimum air flow across the vehicle when in motion and in combination with the roof spoiler, minimises any aerodynamic interruption.

Inside the MINI: sports seats with strongly contoured side supports; 3 spoke leather sports steering wheel with multi-function controls; 2 chronoswiss clocks to the right and left of the rev counter provide a close link to earlier concept cars by MINI, bridging the gap between the analogue age of the classic MINI and the digital age of the new MINI. One acts as a stopwatch, the other as a standard time piece; luggage capacity of 250 litres can be accessed at the rear by a tailgate hinged above the roof spoiler; and the bulkhead between the passenger and luggage compartments comes with a lockable opening, giving passengers access to the rear section at any time.

The MINI Coupe concept is engineered to receive the most powerful engine in the current MINI line-up. The highly acclaimed 211hp, 1.6 litre twin scroll turbocharged power unit found in current John Cooper Works model offers CO2 emissions of just 165g/km and fuel efficiency of 40.9mpg (combined).

MINI’s revered handling dynamics will be a highlight of the MINI Coupe. Front wheel drive, powerful disc brakes on all four wheels, the front axle with McPherson spring struts and a centrally guided rear axle with aluminium longitudinal arms and anti-roll bars guarantee a safe, yet grin-inducing drive every time.

With a Crossover model in the final stages of development, and Hatch, Clubman and Convertible models currently on the roads in nearly 80 countries worldwide, MINI aims to offer a varied and exciting range of small premium cars to customers in the coming years. MINIMALISM technologies including Brake Energy Regeneration, Shift Point Display and Auto Stop/Start are key reasons to buy a MINI and have helped to position MINI at the forefront of highly efficient and environmentally aware performance car production. These technologies are sure to feature on future MINI derivatives.

The MINI Coupe concept takes traditional values of the MINI brand and combines them with the most advanced technologies to offer an exciting vision of how MINI family may continue to grow.

 

Page created on 15th September 2009

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