THE much awaited MINI Coupe, the brand’s fifth model, makes its world premiere at this month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
The two-seater will be offered from launch later in the autumn with a choice of four engines with outputs ranging from the 122bhp of the MINI Cooper Coupe and the Cooper SD Coupe’s 143bhp to the hefty 184bhp developed by the Cooper S Coupe and the 211bhp of sporting flagship the MINI John Cooper Works Coupe.
MINI has promised that the new models will provide fans of the marque with an even greater go-kart feeling thanks to a bespoke suspension set-up, ideal weight distribution, rigid body and extra aerodynamic tweaks.
A six-speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard and six-speed auto is optional for Cooper S Coupe, Cooper Coupe and Cooper SD Coupe models.
Styling-wise the Coupe, which sits 29mm lower than the regular MINI, has a flat silhouette and ‘helmet roof’ with spoiler while an active rear spoiler, which pops up automatically at 50mph, optimises the airflow at higher speeds.
There’s also a high-opening tailgate and large 280-litre luggage area with load-through facility.
And the car also has a stiffer body - with its weight balance slightly further forward for better traction - electric power steering, pedestrian protection systems and dynamic stability control as standard.
Traction control is an option on all bar the John Cooper Works model, which includes it as standard.