Mini Dropping Coupe and Roadster for Next Generation

The MiniMINI (BMW)Germany, 2000 > present15 models
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7 videos
CoupeMINI (BMW) Coupé Gen.1 [R58]Germany, 2011 > present9 versions
49 photos
and RoadsterMINI (BMW) Roadster Gen.1Germany, 2012 > present7 versions
53 photos
1 video
were noble experiments but have turned out to be failures. Mini says that it has no plans to upgrade the models when the third generation Mini is revealed later this year.

Sure, the Mini is small, it is in the name after all, but buyers have no interest in a Mini with two seats and barely any storage room. It is not as if Mini is starving for performance models anyways. There is already Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions of the standard car and convertible that provide every bit of the performance of the Coupe and Roadster but with added room for passengers and storage.

Mini says that it is going to simplify the model line up for the new generation, partially because it will be sharing the new front-wheel drive platform with BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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43 videos
-branded models.

The first teaser for the third generation Mini was released last week as the Vision ConceptMINI (BMW) MINI VisionGermany, 2013 > 2013. The exterior of it is meant to give a realistic view of the next car with a hexagonal grill and LED running lights around the headlights. The hood scoop and rear wing on the Vision likely even gives a hint at the next Cooper S.

Power for the new generation will come from BMW's new modular engine family. The base car will have a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, and the Cooper S will either use a turbocharged version of this engine or a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The modular family allows BMW to build diesel and petrol engines with 500cc of displacement per cylinder with either a transverse or longitudinal layout up to a 3.0-liter inline-six. It is designed to be offered in naturally aspirated, turbocharged and hybrid versions.

The spirit of the Coupe and Roadster might not be entirely dead within Mini. It is rumoroed to be working on a sports coupe that would likely be offered as a single bodystyle as a niche product. However, it will likely be among the later Mini variants shown because the more practical models are where most of the sales are found.

Source: Motor Authority