The Mini Coupé is a two-seat sports car built by Mini between 2011 and 2015. It was the first two-seat Mini, based on the convertible but with a lower roof, a fixed rear bulkhead where the back seats had been, and a rear spoiler that rose automatically at speed. The John Cooper Works version was the quickest Mini of its time.
Mini Coupé at a glance
| Maker | Mini, a BMW marque |
|---|---|
| Production | 2011–2015 |
| Internal code | R58 |
| Unveiled | June 2011, launched at Frankfurt in September 2011 |
| On sale in the UK | 1 October 2011 |
| Seats | two, the first two-seat Mini |
| Based on | the Mini Cabriolet |
| Roof | 29 mm lower than the Mini Hatch |
| Windscreen | angled back 13 degrees more than the cabriolet’s |
| Boot | 280 litres |
| Rear spoiler | rises automatically above 50 mph |
| Gearbox | six-speed manual, six-speed Steptronic automatic optional |
The article is based on one source, the English Wikipedia page shared by the Coupé and the Roadster; only the Coupé is described here.
History of the Mini Coupé
A Mini for two
BMW showed the Coupé in June 2011 and launched it at the Frankfurt Motor Show that September; British sales began on 1 October 2011. It was the first Mini with only two seats, and its construction was followed by the documentary series Megafactories. The car was based on the Mini Cabriolet, but the space behind the seats was turned into a fixed bulkhead and a boot of 280 litres.
The body was noticeably different from the hatchback in profile. The windscreen was angled rearwards by 13 degrees more than in the cabriolet and the roof sat 29 mm lower than a standard Mini Hatch, which gave the car a wedge shape and, according to Mini, better aerodynamics. A rear spoiler lifted automatically above 50 mph, and could also be raised by a switch above the rear-view mirror.
Engines and versions
The range followed the pattern of other Minis, with Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SD and a top John Cooper Works version. The JCW used a turbocharged 1,598 cc four-cylinder of 208 bhp, enough for 0 to 62 mph in 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 149 mph. The Cooper SD had a 2.0-litre turbo diesel of 141 bhp, sold in some markets only. All versions had a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a six-speed Steptronic automatic as an option.
End of the line
A convertible sister model, the Roadster, followed in 2012 as the R59. Neither sold in large numbers, and in February 2015 Mini announced that production of both would end after four years, leaving Mini without a two-seater.
Design and features
- Two seats: the first Mini built for two people only, with a proper boot instead of a rear bench.
- Lower roofline: 29 mm lower than the hatch and a windscreen raked 13 degrees further back.
- Automatic spoiler: a rear spoiler that lifted above 50 mph, or on a switch.
- John Cooper Works performance: 208 bhp, 0 to 62 mph in 6.4 seconds and 149 mph.
- Shared range: the same Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SD and JCW ladder as the rest of the Mini line.
Mini Coupé versions
- Cooper: the naturally aspirated 1.6-litre entry model.
- Cooper S: the turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol version.
- Cooper SD: a 2.0-litre turbo diesel of 141 bhp, offered in some markets.
- John Cooper Works: 208 bhp, the quickest version, with 0 to 62 mph in 6.4 seconds.
- Mini Roadster (R59): the convertible sister model of 2012, described on its own page.
The hatchback behind it is the Mini Hatch, the estate is the Mini Clubman, and the electric trial car of the same years is the Mini E. More cars are in the Mini collection.
Video: MINI Coupe review – CarBuyer
Video by Carbuyer on YouTube.
Sources
- Mini Coupé and Roadster, English Wikipedia: Coupé design, engines, end of production
