2012 MINI Coupé

A recipe for unbridled driving fun: The MINI Coupé.

MINI is expanding its product family with the launch of a model geared squarely to maximising driving fun. The MINI Coupé indulges the keen driver with a level of agility unmatched in the small car segment, along with a unique body and interior concept and the brand's customary commitment to premium levels of design, quality, equipment and individualisation. The first two-seater in its current line-up sees MINI not only breathe new life into its successful racing history but also provide a shot in the arm for the super-compact sports car class. The selection of engines, chassis set-up, weight distribution and aerodynamic properties of the MINI Coupé are all focused on delivering optimum performance. As a result, the new car radiates the brand's hallmark go-kart feeling with a whole new depth of intensity and achieves the best performance statistics ever recorded by a volume-produced MINI.

The MINI Coupé is the brand's first model to adopt a three-box body structure with a strikingly stepped rear end. Its distinctive lines are expressed in the customary MINI design language and combine with unmistakable styling features. All of which accurately showcases both the new model's distinctive characteristics and its brand identity. Its flat silhouette and innovative 'helmet roof' lend the MINI Coupé a sporty and individual allure. In addition to the integral roof spoiler, an active rear spoiler optimises airflow at higher speeds.

Inside the car, the two-seater concept is emphasised by features such as oval recesses in the roof liner. With its extremely high-opening tailgate and large luggage area with through-loading facility, the MINI Coupé displays outstanding versatility in day-to-day driving, when transporting leisure items or sports gear, and on trips out with a lucky partner.

The MINI Coupé can be ordered with the most powerful petrol and diesel engines in the brand's arsenal. Outputs range from the 90 kW/122 hp of the MINI Cooper Coupé, to the MINI Cooper SD Coupé (105 kW/143 hp) and MINI Cooper S Coupé (135 kW/184 hp), all the way up to the MINI John Cooper Works Coupé, a thoroughbred athlete producing 155 kW/211 hp.

A level of chassis quality unmatched in the small car segment gives the new MINI model the handling flair you would expect from the brand. The precise Electric Power Steering, the standard-fitted DSC stability control system, powerful brakes and measures designed specifically to optimise torsional rigidity ensure the MINI Coupé driver can enjoy the ultimate in go-kart feeling.

The striking roof of the MINI Coupé is painted in a contrasting colour as standard, while the options list includes a new interpretation of the MINI Sport stripes. An extended selection of seat variants, door trim, trim strips and Colour Lines can be specified for the interior. Standard equipment includes air conditioning (MINI Cooper S Coupé, MINI Cooper SD Coupé, MINI John Cooper Works Coupé), speed-sensitive power steering, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, Park Distance Control, height-adjustable seats and an audio system with MP3 compatible CD player and AÚX IN connection. An array of high-quality options enhance the comfort and individuality of the MINI Coupé. Plus, customers can also dip into the exclusive MINI Yours range of products, as well as options and accessories with a strong sporting flavour from John Cooper Works. MINI Connected functions such as web radio, Google local search and Google Send to Car services, reception of RSS news feeds, and in-car use of Facebook and Twitter, are available in conjunction with the MINI Visual Boost radio or MINI navigation system.

Únique character, individual design, hallmark MINI design language.

The MINI Coupé brings a fascinatingly unique character to its market segment and the MINI model family alike. Its body design is based on a faithful interpretation of MINI design and places a clear emphasis on the brand's sporting genes. Plus, it features a number of eye-catching individual touches which amount to rather more than model-specific details. At the same time, though, the Coupé remains unmistakably a MINI. A combination of taut, athletic surfaces, harmonious curves and parallel lines confirms the allegiance of its design language to the cornerstones of MINI design. Indeed, the appearance of the MINI Coupé is also defined by its powerful over-the-wheel stance. And then there are unique design features exclusive to MINI, such as the hexagonal contours of the radiator grille, the black border around the lower part of the body, a host of chrome strips and surrounds and the large circular headlights with integrated direction indicators. The headlights, like the vertically stacked rear lights positioned on the outer extremes of the rear end, are integrated like 'islands' into the body. The positioning lights and foglamps located in the front apron and the surrounds of the side indicators on the front side panels are among the design elements whose origins can be traced back to the classic Mini of the 1950s.

At the same time, however, the Coupé also breaks the mould – as the first MINI to adopt a three-box body structure. Únlike the MINI, the MINI Clubman and the MINI Convertible, the MINI Coupé is divided into three distinct segments: engine compartment, passenger compartment and boot. This structure broadens the MINI Coupé's spectrum of geometric forms and helps to create a classic and very distinctive gran turismo-style rear end, particularly when viewed from the side.
The exterior dimensions of the MINI Coupé give it very sporty proportions and a low, forward-thrusting profile. The two-seater measures 3,734 millimetres (MINI Cooper Coupé: 3,728 millimetres) in length, 1,683 millimetres in width and 1,384 millimetres (MINI Cooper Coupé: 1,378 millimetres) in height. In other words, while the overall length, width and wheelbase (2,467 millimetres) are almost identical to the measurements of the MINI, the car's overall height has been lowered by as much as 52 millimetres.

Distinctive roof form; steeply raked A-pillars, integrated roof spoiler and active rear spoiler optimise aerodynamics.

The active rear spoiler, fitted for the first time on a MINI, optimises airflow at higher speeds. Integrated in the boot lid, the spoiler pops up automatically when the MINI Coupé reaches a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). When the speed drops below 60 km/h (37 mph) again, a four-part control mechanism returns the spoiler to its rest position. It is also possible to operate the active rear spoiler manually, for example for cleaning purposes, using a button in the overhead control panel.
At higher speeds, the active rear spoiler reduces lift at the rear axle, optimising the aerodynamic balance – and therefore the grip levels – of the MINI Coupé. It forms part of a precisely configured aerodynamic concept that also includes an innovatively designed roof spoiler with integrated aerial. This roof spoiler is fully integrated into the styling of the helmet roof. It has an opening in the centre which allows the airflow over the roof to be directed down to the rear window or, depending on speed, to the rear spoiler. This reduces rear lift and, in so doing, improves the driving dynamics of the MINI Coupé.

Also distinctive are the A-pillars and windscreen, which are more sharply raked than on the MINI. The resulting smaller frontal area makes an additional contribution to the excellent aerodynamic properties of the MINI Coupé. Airflow has been optimised to an even greater extent on the range-topping MINI John Cooper Works Coupé. The most powerful member of the Coupé line-up is fitted with a John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit as standard in a nod to its exceptionally dynamic performance capability.

Interior: clear emphasis of two-seated layout, generous storage capacity.
The design of the MINI Coupé's interior also showcases the pure-bred character of a compact sports car. In typical MINI style, the Coupé also has a large Centre Speedo and a rev counter positioned directly behind the steering wheel, and the standard-fitted sports seats offer outstanding lateral support through quickly-taken corners. The colours of the interior, meanwhile, also help enhance concentration on the road ahead. Regardless of the combination of upholstery variant, trim elements and Colour Lines chosen by the MINI Coupé owner, the interior colour remains Carbon Black. An anthracite roof liner is also part of the standard specification.

Oval recesses in the roof liner create extra headroom. This exclusive design element lends further emphasis to the two-seat layout and hunkered-down, sports-orientated form of the MINI Coupé body. The absence of a rear seat bench creates new scope for offering spontaneous driving enjoyment for two people while at the same time catering for the requirements of an active and varied lifestyle. The adaptable, 280-litre boot is extremely flexible. With a large, high-opening tailgate and a 36 cm (14 in.) wide and 20 cm (approx. 8 in.) high through-loading system that can also be opened from the driver's or passenger's seat, the MINI Coupé offers cargo-carrying possibilities that will suit a wide range of needs, whether for daily routine, leisure or touring for two. The car's practicality is further enhanced by larger door bins, three cupholders and a cross-rack behind the seats. Meanwhile, the variable luggage compartment cover eases stowage of particularly bulky items or sports equipment. When the boot lid is opened, the rear section of the three-dimensional cover is also raised. The entire cover can be detached, if required.

Source - MINI