MINI Coupé unveiled

The flow of information to the press concerning the forthcoming MINI Coupé reaches its peak this week with the company's official announcement of the new model.

This follows the recent release of spy photos showing a partly camouflaged production model on test, bearing close similarities with the Coupé  Concept first shown at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show.

The official pics show a tight, snub-nosed two-seater with an obvious frontal weight bias that the company claims is more effective in transferring power to the front wheels. Overall length is quoted as 6mm greater than regular MINIs, all of which appears to have been added up front, as rear overhang is all-but eliminated.

Using the same wheelbase as regular MINI hatch models, the Coupé  makes good use of the two-seat arrangement by providing a 280-litre luggage area accessed by a "high opening" tailgate.

Sitting 52mm lower than a regular MINI, the Coupé's windscreen is laid back at greater angle, while the "helmet" roof contains a built-in rear spoiler augmenting the active spoiler (the marque's first) below the rear window that deploys at speeds above 80km/h and retracts once speed drops below 60km/h (it can also be operated manually via a button in the control panel above the windscreen).

Compensating for the lower-set roof, the Coupé has oval recesses in the roof liner to help in the provision of headroom.

MINI says the Coupé's torsional rigidity is greater than any other model in the range, partly due to extra body stiffening at the front and rear. Extra work has also been put into maximising the Coupé's pedestrian safety.

For more hardcore Coupé buyers, two optional suspensions will be available: A "sports" system with firmer dampers and heavier front and rear sway bars, or the all-out John Cooper Works suspension with a 10mm lower ride height, extra-firm damping and heavier-again sway bars.

The electric power steering also offers optional variable-assist levels selectable by a Sport button on the centre console. This enables selection of a more performance oriented steering response, along with more immediate accelerator reactions. Six-speed auto versions with the Sport function also get quicker shifts when the button is activated.

Options for the MINI Coupé will include Xenon headlights, climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, Harman Kardon sound system and a range of electronic media offering including USB audio interface, web radio, Google local search, RSS news feeds, plus Facebook and Twitter – all available in conjunction with either MINI's "Visual Boost" radio or navigation system.

Bluetooth mobile phone preparation is listed as an option, not standard.

The MINI Coupé will be available in four guises, with three petrol versions based on the 1.6-litre Valvetronic engine, plus a diesel: The 90kW base model, the 135kW Cooper S version and the 155kW John Cooper Works version. The turbodiesel SD Coupé produces 105kW and accelerates faster than the base petrol model.

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