BMW uses its MINI brand to tweak Porsche's nose.

 

The cars are both yellow with round headlights, however that would be where the comparison should end.

While I've yet to drive a classic Mini, I have owned air-cooled 911s for many years and while I love my 2012 MCS, it too does not do what my 911 can do.

There is very little in common EXCEPT the fact that they both put a stupid smile on my face; perhaps that is what BMW is reaching for???

 

Quick-link to MINI's Press Release.

 

I don't think the PR tweaks Porsche much at all. It's actually a very nice piece. Saying things like "The 911 in its track-tuned permutations is the most successful racing car ever built. Practically every race of any note has been won by a 911 on one occasion or other." isn't exactly putting Porsche down. Was actually a nice read!

 

I have owned more then a few 911's starting with a 1965, 356 SC Coupe. I then worked my way through the 911 line up ending with a 1996 C4 coupe that I love. And for me that is where it ends with Porsche. They lost me with the water cooled engine and the long wheel base, the very weird arm rest thing and the loss of the 5 gage cluster was just to much. No longer the car it once was, not to mention it screams to a completely new and different customer. I purchased a 2012 Cooper S last year because to me it shared a lot of what made the air cooled 911's unique. I liked it so much I just purchased a GP. To me the new GP really reminds me of my 1992 Porsche RS America and I love it! It's unique, when you see it, you know it's a Mini. And I love all the quirkey stuff that comes with the Mini. I think you either get it or you don't---if you do, it's hard not to fall in love! I hope BMW doesn't stray to far from center with the new deign. If it's true that they are doing away with the big round speedo for a more conventional dash layout that's to bad. I'm sure there will be plenty of folks who will really like the new design and layout, but I am very glad I have what I have.

 

I'm surprised the 911 doesn't look bigger next to the Ur-Mini.

I'm surprised anyone would try to say that the driving experience is similar, since the cars are almost polar opposites--especially when it comes to weight distribution. The main similarity I would think of is the one "itsalldark" made above: The great big grin you have when driving one.

My wife's 82 911SC is really a brilliant car. It doesn't just tell you what's going on at the contact patches, it writes you long detailed love notes about it! It really really communicates, and if you can understand what it is saying you can position it in any attitude you want by just adjusting the throttle input.

The Mini has to be a hoot. I know my MINI is, but the dynamics are pretty dissimilar. My MINI feels more like my CRX did--light and tossable, with good grip, but you have to have the front wheels fairly straight before you feed in much power or it will just push like crazy. And drifts are quite difficult to get into in either one, unlike the 911.

Not to mention the Mini gives up something like 80 HP and 800 lbs to the 2.4L 911 they show.