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Mini Coupe is big on dynamics and desire
publication date: Sep 24, 2011
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author/source: Robin Roberts
With market defying
sales safety stowed for another year, Mini launches its latest Coupe derivative
on 1 October.
UK Mini sales went up
14pc last year and globally they jumped 25pc putting the brand in very good
shape and the new two-seater Coupe now
going on sale has already clocked up 3pc of this year's orders and is likely to
climb a little higher in 2012, when the two-seat Roadster completes the line-up
as well.
Coupe is the most
dynamically focused member of the brand so far and will share its 1.6 litre petrol
and 2.0 diesel powertrain and suspension with the |  | forthcoming open-topped
Roadster but that will have to accommodate the folding roof and the fixed roof
design of the Coupe means it offers enormous luggage or stowage space behind
the two seats.
Coupe sits lower on
the road than its stable-mates and is immediately recognisable with the more
steeply sloping windscreen and "booted" profile, and it's the same wheelbase
and width as the hatch but just 5mm longer overall.
| Various aerodynamic tweaks
reduce wind resistance and Mini Coupe is the first BMW Group model to have an
active rear wing for greater stability, lifting over 50mph and dropping below
37mph.
The
new range comes with DAB digital radio, air conditioning, park distance
control, alloy wheels, 3-spoke sport leather steering wheel and sport stripes
on the body work. |  | Outputs range from 122hp/90kW in the MINI Cooper Coupé to 211hp/155kW in
the flagship MINI John Cooper Works Coupé. The recently launched performance
diesel engine, the 143 hp/105 kW Cooper SD, is also available and the line-up
is completed with the Cooper S which offers 184hp/135kW.
Six speed manual gearboxes are standard but Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper
SD can be ordered with a six-speed sequential transmission including paddle
shifts. Features such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start/Stop±, Shift
Point Display±, Electric Power Steering and the need-based operation of
ancillary components help to make efficient use of fuel with low emissions. JCW
models can also be ordered with a tauter sports suspension or still firmer
Works set up which also lowers ride height for the really serious Mini
officianado.
Fuel economy on the combined cycle stretches from 39.8mpg in the MINI
John Cooper Works Coupé to a frugal 65.7mpg in the Cooper SD model while
CO2 emissions are as low as just 114g/km on the Cooper SD. Even the
MINI
John Cooper Works Coupé emits only 165g/km.
Likely to prove popular with many potential MINI Coupé customers is the
Cooper SD variant, which offers the best fuel economy, lowest emissions and
highest torque output of any MINI Coupé model. What's more, it will still
sprint to 62mph in under eight seconds and carry on to a top speed of 134mph.
With a BIK value of just 13%, and zero first year road tax, user chooser
company car drivers and fleet managers will also see its obvious appeal.
The MINI Coupé boasts class-leading residual values, with the Cooper SD
model retaining 47% (£9,575) of it's original value over three years or 60,000
miles and the John Cooper Works model retaining 45% (£10,625).
|  | Mini
has created a bespoke range of luggage for it to fully utilise the available
space which runs to 280 litres, or 20 litres more than the Clubman.
Mini believe the Coupe
will bring new owners to the brand who would have considered the Peugeot RCZ or
Audi TT and with its TLC long life aftercare package the Coupe comfortably
out-performs all with predicted residual values in the mid to high 40pc
bracket. | Mini product executive
David Howard said they believed the Coupe will attract younger buyers to the
brand with its two-seater style, abundant luggage space and sport orientated
handling. "We know some buyers want a sharper handling Mini but not necessarily
a harder riding Mini and also have no need for rear seats but want good space
to put luggage or other items," he said.
The introduction of
the Coupe and forthcoming non-identical twin Roadster are part of a
£500Million
investment in the UK
for the brand over the next few years. It employs about 5,000 people in
Oxford assembly plant, its body pressings at Swindon and Birmingham
engine plant
and these figures could further rise if demand continues to climb above
the
250,000 Minis sold around the world last year.
While
there are currently no plans to increase the UK dealership base there is growing
diversification of Mini servicing from the traditional BMW technical operation
to build on the brand loyalty. Mini Coupe Cooper is £16,640, the Cooper
S £19,775, Cooper SD £20,510 and JCW £23,795. | | | FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Mini Coupe is the most
satisfyingly sporty model in the range without being spine-snappingly spoiled.
Slipping into the
roomy cabin of the Coupe I was expecting a stiff chassis setting optimised for
the demanding 370KM test route through the Austrian, Italian and German alps but
both Cooper SD and JCWC tested were both
surprisingly comfortable yet utterly capable of delivering memorable driving
experiences. |  | With four cases
swallowed into the boot the Coupe packed in pin-point handling precision
normally found in a purpose designed sports car. Headroom was particularly good
thanks to the belled roof lining and the seats easily coped with a six footer
yet securely held them on the myriad mountain hairpins.
Engine responses are
sharp and strong with bags of pulling power, a short gear-change action but a
long clutch-pedal travel, karting like steering with immensely powerful and well
balanced brakes.
Visibility is a little
compromised by the sweeping roofline when pulling out but you can still place
it precisely on the road when covering ground quickly. Noise levels are all low
and engaging the Sport mode audibly alters the engine note as well as makes it
even more responsive.
That the Coupe is
going to be another successful chapter in the Mini story there can be no doubt,
and part of the continuing excitement is not knowing where that story is going
to end as sales of this British icon appear unflagging. © Robin Roberts |
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