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Mini says goodbye to Coupe and Roadster

Thu, Feb 12 2015 Mini has tried a variety of body-styles in recent years, and while some of them have been successful, others have not – most especially its two-door models. Aside from the standard Hardtop (which is now available with an extra set of doors), the Clubman (which is also getting extra apertures in its next iteration) and the Paceman (which isn't expected to make it another generation), the Coupe and Roadster models have been particularly slow sellers for the brand. So after much speculation on their future, Mini is now officially showing both two-doors the door.

Although the manufacturer has't said exactly when production of the two will cease at the plant in Oxford, UK, it has confirmed that "The two individual two-seater athletes Mini Coupe and Mini Roadster will finish their career together and as planned."

In their place, Mini is said to be working to put the Superleggera Vision concept into production. Just when that may come to pass, or if it might breed a fixed-roof version to take the coupe's place, remain to be seen. But for now, you'll need to get your Mini with three doors or more.

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THE MINI COUPE AND THE MINI ROADSTER: TWO ATHLETES TURN INTO THE FINAL STRAIGHT
British premium automobile manufacturer continues the change of generation in its model program - production of both two-seater models at MINI Plant Oxford is about to end as planned.

Munich, Germany, February 11, 2015. Changeover at MINI Plant Oxford: while worldwide demand for the new MINI 3 door and the new MINI 5 door launched a few months ago increases continuously, production of two model variants from the preceding generation of the original in the premium small car segment is about to come to an end. The two individual two-seater athletes MINI Coupe and MINI Roadster will finish their career together and as planned. In taking this step, the British premium car manufacturer continues the change of generation in its model program and in terms of vehicle production at the Oxford plant. The new MINI 5 door is now produced there in seven engine variants, as is the new MINI 3 door.

The MINI Coupe was originally launched in the "Green Hell": the new model saw its world premiere at the 24-hour race on the Nurburgring Nordschleife immediately before its appearance at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in 2011. The MINI John Cooper Works Coupe Endurance tackled the challenge with flying colours, underpinning not just the sporting qualities but also the reliability of the very first two-seater in the MINI model range. Ever since then the MINI Coupe has provided thrilling and intense gokart feeling with its powerful engines, specific suspension set-up, low centre of gravity and a rear spoiler that extends automatically at high speeds. Perfectly matching its driving properties, the car's unmistakable roof shape with integrated spoiler and flat silhouette give the MINI Coupe an aura that is both athletic and distinctive.

The latest evidence of the popularity of the MINI Coupe is its class victory in the "Best Cars 2015" reader's vote held by the automobile magazine "auto, motor und sport". Now the winner of the small car import ranking turns into the final straight - together with the MINI Roadster, whose career defined by pure driving fun and spontaneous open-air pleasure is now likewise to come to an end.

The British premium manufacturer was able to conquer an attractive vehicle segment with the MINI Roadster, too. The first open-top two-seater in the brand's history has a textile roof which opens especially quickly, either manually or semi-automatically as an optional extra. What is more the MINI Roadster – like the MINI Coupe – offers an impressive degree of functionality with its spacious luggage compartment complete with through-loading option.

The new model generation also provides hallmark MINI feeling in growing diversity. Like the new MINI 3 door (combined fuel consumption: 5.7 - 3.4 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 133 – 89 g/km), the new MINI 5 door (combined fuel consumption: 5.9 -3.5 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 136 – 92 g/km) also offers a choice of four petrol and three diesel engines, covering an output range of 55 kW/75 hp to 141 kW/192 hp. The latest addition is the extremely athletic MINI John Cooper Works (combined fuel consumption: 6.7 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 155 g/km), whose 4-cylinder turbo engine mobilises the highest output ever seen in one of the brand's serial production models at 170 kW/231 hp.

Meanwhile, MINI Plant Oxford continues to produce a guarantee of open-air driving fun. The MINI Convertible is available in three petrol and two diesel engine variants, and the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is still in the running, too.

In the premium compact segment, the MINI Countryman and the MINI Paceman are likewise on track for success. The five-seater allrounder and the Sports Activity Coupe also offer a large range of engines. What is more, both models can be optionally fitted with the all-wheel drive system ALL4 which was especially developed for MINI.

For further details on official fuel consumption figures, official specific CO2 emissions and power consumption of new cars, please refer to the "Manual on fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption of new cars", available at all sales outlets, from Deutschen Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at http://www.dat.de/angebote/verlagsprodukte/leitfaden-kraftstoffverbrauch.html. ManualCO2 (PDF - 2.7 MB)
Featured Gallery Mini Coupe and Roadster
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  • News Source: Mini
  • Plants/Manufacturing
  • MINI
  • Convertible
  • Coupe
  • mini coupe
  • mini roadster

By Noah Joseph


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