Our man Takahashi has gone ahead and had his way with the press photos of the Mini Roadster by adding the details we've recently seen on the just released Mini Coupe. This gives us the closest view we're likely to have until official photos of the Mini Roadster are released. And this is something I can actually get behind. The Coupe, while offering what we hear is spectacular handling, is just goofy to me-- the Roadster could be a quirky, fun toy.
The Mini Roadster is expected in March or April of 2012 while the Coupe is set for a fall release with the same engines as the Coupe, highlighted by a 208-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo in the John Cooper Works edition.
lostboyz says:
07:25 AM, 06/22/11
did we need yet another post about an even uglier and less practical car? I bet the JCW coupeR vert will be just shy of $35k, which is absurd.
ed124c says:
07:30 AM, 06/22/11
It really is cute, though. I thought Mini was trying to get more men to buy Minis. This convertible isn't going to do it. Nor is the couoe.
dougtheeng says:
08:04 AM, 06/22/11
I would rather have a regular Cooper JCW - much more appealing.
compliance says:
09:47 AM, 06/22/11
I'd like to know how it could have "spectacular handling". It's heavier than the regular Mini, and the suspension should be pretty much the same. If anything I expect it to be worse.
mini23 says:
04:57 PM, 06/22/11
I think it would depend on color. If Mini offer it in British Racing Green,an optional wood dash,and wheels that look like wire wheels with knock offs, you could have a modern interpretation of the Triumph TR6.
firstwagon says:
05:04 PM, 06/22/11
"I'd like to know how it could have "spectacular handling". It's heavier than the regular Mini, and the suspension should be pretty much the same. If anything I expect it to be worse."
Tuning means a lot in handling. The Mini is aready pretty amazing so it certainly could be amazing.
I'd still buy a Miata if I wanted a 2 seat convertible.
zc1 says:
06:21 PM, 06/22/11
Hmph. I actually quite like it. Not a fan of soft tops in general, but I dig it with the top down. It's 1000x better than the coupe.
zeniff says:
10:07 PM, 06/22/11
1000x zero is still zero.
btrdayz says:
08:35 AM, 06/23/11
I like this. I like stylish roadsters. Had an SLK 280, and traded it for a TTS Roadster. TT buyers will buy this Mini Roadster. I like cars that look different. That from a 1/2 mile away in the dark, you still know what car it is. That can't be said for most cars on the road today. Test drove a Mini once. While not as fast as some other cars I've owned, it was still a lot of fun.