http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/235342/meet_minis_speedster.html

Quote:-
"BMW’s global sales and marketing boss, Ian Robertson, told Sun Motors: “There is a lot of scope to extend the Mini family and stretch the brand with exciting new models – we can promise more new models in the near future.”
Next year will see the arrival of the first Mini SUV, based on the Crossover Concept, although BMW are still debating the name. I’ve suggested Mini Maxi as the perfect monicker.
But the model that will really turn heads will be a new Roadster – a two-seat sports car that will go on sale in 2011.
Inside sources tell me Speedster is the preferred name and they expect the little Roadster to live up to its name because it will be the sportiest Mini ever, with the 1.6litre turbo-charged engine from the Cooper S.
Thanks to the absence of rear seats, the Speedster will also be lighter with a lightweight electric fabric roof, and there will be more boot space than in the Mini Convertible. Expect a £2,000 premium that should see prices start around £18,000.
And my spies tell me to look out for two more dramatic newcomers in the shape of a coupé and a modern version of the Moke that will be aimed at the sunshine states of America and Europe’s hot spots.
BMW are also determined to have an affordable electric small car on the market in the very near future. They will use the current Mini E prototype, which is undergoing trials in America and the UK later this year as the basis."
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...cle2405460.ece

 

A MINI SUV? Sounds terrible. Even the roadster (while cool looking) is pretty dumb. I know there trying to expand the model line, and with a brand like MINI, its kind of hard. But an SUV is just stupid.

 

It'll probably cost more then a Mazdz Miata hardtop convertible and handle worse because it will be front wheel drive. The speedster will sell to a small clientel of dedicated Mini freaks as such it will never recoup it's tooling investment.

 

I think this roadster would be the appropriate opportunity for BMW to bring back the Triumph name to cars, and not expand the MINI brand.

 

Not really. Maybe it will take Mini to build a roadster that people can actually fit in comfortably and enjoy.

 

???? My dad is 6 foot and he was surprised that there was even room for him in the BACK SEAT of the mini. The mini is very roomy for its size.

And what does it being a roadster have to do with with fitting in the car easier? Wouldn't the Cabrio be the same thing anyway?

 

It's really only the back seat that's a tight squeeze, and a roadster by definition would not offer that. My brother in law is 6'7" and fits great in the front of my MINI. Not sure what issues you've had with not finding a comfortable seating position.

 

i hate the way this looks, to me its a mix between the audi quattro and new thunderbirds. i think mini should make a rwd model, or stick to letting people buy a cabrio if they want a drop top.

 

Yeah... I think that rendering of the speedster is HIDEOUS.

The mock-ups of the potential Triumph roadster looked MUCH better. But don't expect any production car to look like any of these mock-ups.

 

At this point I'd be more interested in a Z2 than a MINI roadster.

 

Wow... I just read up on the Z2... that M variant with the DSG might be the only thing that would ever make me consider an alternative to Blimey as a weekend drop-top... hubba hubba....

 

Maybe the Mini-E cabrio will be the roadster

I like that Z2 though. $50k for a Z4? That convertible hardtop is ridiculously expensive.

 

Lame! Not even worth it

 

I guess I'm wierd but I think it looks great! I am a bit surprised by all the negative reaction here. I've always loved the Porsche Speedster and it looks like a modern version to me. I like it.

 

Mini had a Speedster back in the day too! At Eastbay Mini there is a book that I saw a classic Mini with Speedster looks. ( Will take pics the next time I am there) I'm only 27 yrs old but I'm sure the Mini historians can comment on this.

 

Save the money on the tooling for the speedster and make a special edition with 4 wheel drive. Throw in the JCW engine and keep the price under $33k, this will sell.

 

Here's a classic speedster - looks like a hot rodder made one, not sure if this is a real classic or a shortened one! I like it, but the mockup in the article just looks wrong.

 

woh!!!!

 

Why does everyone automatically assume I'm talking about the Hardtop or Cabrio. I was saying it would take Mini to make a small roadster, taller people could enjoy, unlike Mazda, BMW, GM...etc.