Post by Huntyfm on Aug 26, 2009 14:23:43 GMT 1
Exactly 50 years ago today (August 26th 2009) the original MINI was unveiled to the public for the first time. So, instead of just buying itself a nice cake for the office, MINI has baked itself a shock new coupe, unveiled for the very first time today.
As you can see, the two-seat newcomer is instantly familiar - but look at that roof! Built with purity of handling, style and vicious pace in mind, the Coupe Concept is based on the John Cooper Works version of the MINI, so it's powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine generating 208bhp and a maximum of 206lb.ft of torque.
From the wheels up to the window line not a great deal has changed, but the glasshouse and roof are entirely redesigned, with a steeply raked windscreen and a sensational aluminium roof panel that curves downwards over the side windows. Use of aluminium saves weight and lowers the centre of gravity, as does the removal of the rear seats, so the Coupe Concept will handle with even more sharpness and accelerate with more fire than the hatchback.
At the moment MINI is being very careful to stress that this is just a concept - but insiders admit that the maker would love to turn it into a production reality, giving customers a British alternative to the Audi TT and the forthcoming Peugeot RCZ coupe. Like the French car, the Coupe Concept is due to make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show - which seems to get more exciting by the day.
And though the Coupe will be expensive to manufacture, MINI's loyal customer base and premium reputation means the maker will be able to charge sufficiently to recoup those costs. In short, don't be surprised if this concept makes showrooms largely unchanged from what you see here, possibly by 2011.
Inside the Coupe it's a feast of MINI luxury, with familiar architecture swathed in brown leather and chrome trim. There's a pair of Chronoswiss clocks at either side of the rev counter - one for lap times and one for the time of day - in homage to other MINI concept cars from the past.
We'll report more on the MINI Coupe Concept when it gets its world debut in Frankfurt, along with every other important new car due to appear, so look out for that from 15th September.
As expected it's a right "censored"r!
The full article can be seen here:
uk.cars.yahoo.com/26082009/36/amazing-mini-coupe-unleashed-0.html
As you can see, the two-seat newcomer is instantly familiar - but look at that roof! Built with purity of handling, style and vicious pace in mind, the Coupe Concept is based on the John Cooper Works version of the MINI, so it's powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine generating 208bhp and a maximum of 206lb.ft of torque.
From the wheels up to the window line not a great deal has changed, but the glasshouse and roof are entirely redesigned, with a steeply raked windscreen and a sensational aluminium roof panel that curves downwards over the side windows. Use of aluminium saves weight and lowers the centre of gravity, as does the removal of the rear seats, so the Coupe Concept will handle with even more sharpness and accelerate with more fire than the hatchback.
At the moment MINI is being very careful to stress that this is just a concept - but insiders admit that the maker would love to turn it into a production reality, giving customers a British alternative to the Audi TT and the forthcoming Peugeot RCZ coupe. Like the French car, the Coupe Concept is due to make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show - which seems to get more exciting by the day.
And though the Coupe will be expensive to manufacture, MINI's loyal customer base and premium reputation means the maker will be able to charge sufficiently to recoup those costs. In short, don't be surprised if this concept makes showrooms largely unchanged from what you see here, possibly by 2011.
Inside the Coupe it's a feast of MINI luxury, with familiar architecture swathed in brown leather and chrome trim. There's a pair of Chronoswiss clocks at either side of the rev counter - one for lap times and one for the time of day - in homage to other MINI concept cars from the past.
We'll report more on the MINI Coupe Concept when it gets its world debut in Frankfurt, along with every other important new car due to appear, so look out for that from 15th September.
As expected it's a right "censored"r!
The full article can be seen here:
uk.cars.yahoo.com/26082009/36/amazing-mini-coupe-unleashed-0.html
had a few beers with my bros last nite, in the cold light of day tho, its CRAP!!!!! LOL ;D 
sorry taffy mate, wont happen again, i swear! 
;D
