Autoblog

Mini's future is smaller engines, DCT, and challenging the Mazda Miata?

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Hatchback, Mini

MINI Roadster Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Just because a company starts out Mini it doesn't necessarily mean it can't get even smaller. That seems to be the case with BMW's more affordable UK outpost. Mini USA vice president Jim McDowell spoke at the recent Geneva Motor Show about some of the brand's upcoming plans. Although the current lineup is powered by a range of 1.6-liter inline-four cylinder engines, new challengers like the Audi A1 are going with even smaller engines, and it sounds like Mini is set to follow suit.

This spring, European-market Mini models are slated to receive engine upgrades including BMW's Valvetronic system and direct injection for improved output, along with reduced fuel consumption and emissions. Those same improvements will be added to North American market Minis this fall in the company's 2011 models. The next round of upgrades will see smaller displacement engines coming along with dual clutch transmissions.

McDowell also hinted that the upcoming roadster and coupe variants are just the beginning, with more performance oriented models on the way. Even before that, McDowell expects the two seat Minis to be the first roadsters to grab a significant chunk of the affordable sports car market from the long dominant Mazda MX-5.

We love the Mini range, and we're eager to judge of whether a front-wheel car can really challenge the rear-drive MX-5, undoubtedly one of the best roadsters of all time.

Gallery: MINI Roadster Concept

[Source: AutoGuide]

Mini's future is smaller engines, DCT, and challenging the Mazda Miata? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Detroit 2010: Mini Beachcomber Concept leaves the doors behind

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Europe, Mini, Off-Road

2010 Mini Beachcomber Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The roof, too. That's right folks, Mini rolled out a concept of a concept. The Beachcomber (see above) is based on the Mini Crossover. However, the Crossover is no longer just a concept, as it will be making its way to production soon. And it's not alone, as Mini has also green lit the Coupe and Roadster. All three will be produced at Mini's Oxford, UK plant.

Speaking of Mini, their sales were down six percent last year. Or should we say only six percent, as 2009 basically sucked as far as car sales go. In the U.S., however, Mini sales were down 16 percent, but the segment (small premium cars) was off a disheartening 40 percent. Nevertheless, the U.S. remains Mini's largest market with currently 90 dealers and the brand is looking to increase that number with an additional 17 dealers over the next 18 months.

As far as this here Beachcomber Concept goes, let's just say there's an emphasis on concept. While it does in some ways evoke the original Mini Moke - especially the slotted grille - the Beachcomber has as much a chance at seeing production as a Lamborghini subcompact. Maybe less. That said, the Beachcomber does feature all-wheel drive. And if there's anything we like more than suicide doors, it's no doors at all. No top either for that matter. What if you should get caught in a freak Malibu hailstorm? Mini says a soft roof and lightweight doors are included. So there you go.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: Mini Beachcomber Concept

Gallery: Mini Beachcomber concept

Live photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Mini]

Detroit 2010: Mini Beachcomber Concept leaves the doors behind originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumormill: Mini Coupe and Roadster could go on sale as early as 2011

Chris Shunk — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Mini

MINI Coupe and Roadster Concepts - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Mini Coupe and Roadster concepts have been making their way around the auto show circuit since Frankfurt in September, and when we saw the two vehicles at the LA Auto Show we got the impression that the high end micros were near production ready. If a story from MotoringFile is to be believed, the next two Mini variants could be even closer to production than we thought.

The Mini-obsessed site is claiming that its sources tell them that engineering for the the Coupe and Roadster is well under way. Further, the final model could hit the assembly plant in Oxford by next June with full production commencing in October. If that time line holds true, the first Mini two doors could be hitting dealer showrooms in Europe by early 2011 at the latest, with models crossing the Atlantic soon after.

Gallery: LA 2009: MINI concepts and special editions

[Source: MotoringFile]

Rumormill: Mini Coupe and Roadster could go on sale as early as 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

LA 2009: MINI Coupe & Roadster Concepts are so LA

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:44:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Mini, Luxury

MINI Coupe and Roadster Concepts - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mini brought its birthday presents to itself out to the LA Auto Show for their North American debut today. The Cambden and Mayfair were there, but we spent a lot more time ogling the Coupe and Roadster. As you may recall, Mini created these two sports cars to celebrate its 50th anniversary and showed them off alongside the two special edition Coopers at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The changes are slightly less obvious on the open-top roadster, but you can definitely see that there's no back seat and the windshield is laid back a claimed 16 degrees over the standard Cooper. The backwards baseball cap on the coupe is a bit odd looking in pics and the real world view doesn't do much to change that impression.

None of the display vehicles sported any detail changes but it was still fun to see all of them packed into a booth the size of Toyota's Venza section. Ian Robertson of BMW did share a few more details about the future of MINI, with the "R60" 4-door-4-liter-4wd about to get a real name and even more models in the works. For now we have the Coopers and Clubmen and the coupe and roadster to keep us happy. Check out the gallery below.

Gallery: LA 2009: MINI concepts and special editions

Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: MINI]

LA 2009: MINI Coupe & Roadster Concepts are so LA originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Frankfurt 2009: Mini Coupe & Roadster Concepts

Noah Joseph — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Coupe, Mini

MINI Coupe Concept and Roadster Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Some automakers celebrate their birthdays with special editions. Some celebrate with big parties. Mini has celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Frankfurt Motor Show with not one, but two new performance-oriented models. Now that's more like it.

Okay, so they also unveiled a couple of special editions, called Camden and Mayfair. And they're throwing a little shindig at their show stand later on. But forget those for a minute and feast your eyes on the Coupe Concept and Roadster Concept. We've already brought you details on both, but the jubilant BMW division took the wraps - or rather, the cake - off the pair at a press conference here at the show. And while they were at it, they confirmed that both are headed for production, expanding the Mini line-up to no less than six models: hatch, cabrio, Clubman, the upcoming crossover and the Roadster and Coupe in question.

Whether the hounds-tooth interior on the Roadster makes it to production, however, remains to be seen. It'll take them a little while to gear up the Oxford factory, but given that both are essentially the same as the existing models below the belt-line, it shouldn't take all that long.

Frankfurt 2009: Mini Coupe & Roadster Concepts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Officially Official: MINI Roadster Concept will join Coupe onstage in Frankfurt

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Mini

MINI Roadster Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

MINI has officially revealed the Roadster Concept alongside the Coupe Concept we saw a couple of weeks ago, and like the rigid top version, the Roadster is a two-seater with a chopped roofline and tilted back windscreen. This is almost certainly the second new model that will be produced at MINI's Oxford UK assembly plant alongside the Coupe.

Also like the Coupe, the Roadster appears pretty much unchanged from the belt-line down compared to existing MINIs. For the Roadster, the roll-bar structure has been shifted forward so it sits directly behind the seats. For anyone who's driven the current Mini Convertible, this should improve the lil' coupe's structural rigidity, making the Roadster a more competent handler in the process.

Another functional advantage of the Roadster is the larger trunk thanks to the missing back seat. The volume grows from 5.7 to 8.8 cubic feet and the opening is now usably large, extending over the rear deck and down to the bumper. A lockable pass-through allows a passenger to reach items in the trunk. The gimmicky Openometer on the current convertible is also replaced by a multi-function display that still offers the open driving time in addition to five new indicators: the Nature Guard (how eco friendly you're driving), Highspeed Shifter (when to shift for maximum power), Gravity Indicator (lateral and g-forces), Heart Beat (engine speed visualized by beating heart) and Buddy Radar (shows where other Mini drivers are). Check out the full press release from Mini after the jump for all the details.

Gallery: MINI Roadster Concept

[Source: MINI]

Continue reading Officially Official: MINI Roadster Concept will join Coupe onstage in Frankfurt

Officially Official: MINI Roadster Concept will join Coupe onstage in Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumormill: BMW in talks to use iQ platform for future models, Toyota to get Mini in return?!

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:57:00 EST

2009 Toyota iQ - Click above for high-res image gallery

Aston Martin may not be the only premium European automaker interested in Toyota's innovative iQ microcar. According to Inside Line and Autocar in the U.K., BMW and Toyota are in talks to collaborate on future small cars based on the Mini and iQ platforms. BMW may possibly use the interior and diminutive platform from the Japanese automaker's next-gen iQ for its long-rumored Isetta revival, possibly with an electric powertrain.

In return, Toyota would gain access to the German automaker's Mini division - specifically the Coupe and Roadster that were recently shown in concept form ahead of their expected debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September - though its not currently clear what Toyota would do with them. Neither company has confirmed these reports, so we're currently taking this rumor with an appropriately large grain of salt.

Gallery: 2009 Toyota iQ

[Sources: Inside Line, Autocar]

Rumormill: BMW in talks to use iQ platform for future models, Toyota to get Mini in return?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mini Roadster leaks out ahead of Frankfurt debut

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Crossover, BMW, Mini

Mini kicked off its 50th anniversary celebration with a birthday party in Nice, France where a select group of journalists were give an glimpse at Mini's plans for Frankfurt and beyond.

Matt Davis from Inside Line was in attendance and snapped a shot (right) of the Mini Roadster concept ahead of its Frankfurt Motor Show debut, and plugged some of the automaker's execs for information on Mini's plan for the future.

Aside from the Mini Coupe and Roadster, which will reportedly, "be produced for the 2011 model year and both will be available on all our world markets," the Mini Crossover has been delayed as the automaker rethinks its brand position. However, the 'ute is still supposedly a go and will be revealed in early 2010 (we're thinking Detroit) and likely go on sale late next year.

There's also rumors of a possible tie-up between BMW and a yet-to-be-named Japanese automaker (IL lists Toyota as the likely partner), although details on the deal are scarce... at best. And, of course, there's continued speculation surrounding the future of BMW's super-subcompact range, with a Mini-based Isetta revival that could arrive within the next two years. For now, it's merely conjecture, but at the Frankfurt show next month, we should have a clearer indication of what direction Mini will take in the coming years.

[Source: Inside Line]

Mini Roadster leaks out ahead of Frankfurt debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rendered Rumormill: Mini Speedster coming to Frankfurt?

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Rendered Speculation, Rumormill

While we're big fans of the Mini Cooper and Cooper S, the Convertible has left us wanting on several levels - visibility and weight being our biggest gripes. However, the remedy may be on the way this September when Mini takes the wraps of the Cooper Roadster at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

According to L'Automobile, the concept will nix the Cooper's laughable rear seats to become a true two-seater, but will still pack a retractable soft-top that attaches to the shortened, more steeply raked windshield. Weight reduction is supposedly one of the Roadster's raisons d'être, and the French pub contends the speedster could make it to production sometime in 2010. Naturally, we're suitably skeptical, but we're looking forward to seeing the Roadster on the show stand later this year.

[Source: L'Automobile]

Rendered Rumormill: Mini Speedster coming to Frankfurt? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 May 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments