I'll go first, because here's what I have wished for 10+ years and I am still wishing it: That they build a 3door Clubman-JCW4 (tighter body and lighter than the 4door), with at least 300hp, and the kind of RWD-Bias and overall balance of a Lancer EVO. They could build this car using off the rack BMW X-drive components, and the result could compete with cars like the FOCUS RS, but with added utility and obvious Mini-ness. Call it the Mini-lover's Rs4 Avant... IF they built this, I'd buy it.

 

I thought they did it with this:
http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-global/dims...iparis2010.jpg


Motor On!

 

Well, that's a dedicated race car for WRC. I was talking about a street legal/anyone can own/reasonably affordable car like the other brands/models I mentioned.

 

2 dr hatch, all4 with electric power, no gas.

 

That seems so eminently do-able with their current pile o parts that I'd be surprised if they haven't already got one mocked up as a test mule.

 

It's a head scratcher to me why automakers aren't out Tesla-ing Tesla on electric cars at this point.

I'd buy one today if they offered it. The CM hybrid is of no interest, just a fast small MINI that doesn't fish tale if I give it a bit to much pedal.

 

follow the 'original' Mini and do a p/up ....

 

It's too late now as MINI is no longer producing this chassis.

But before the GP2 was unveiled, and while MINI was already producing a 2 seater coupe and convertible....I had hoped for this.

 

They do need a MINI in the sense that we know it to be. Small sporty 2 seater. With possibly a different drivetrain to set it apart from their basic line up where they only offer 2 engines for the most part for their whole line up... Now more then ever for the folks who bought the 1st Gen cars but are turned off by the not so MINI cars being produced today.. Not sure why the Coupe didn't work out. I wanted one but by the time I was ready to part with my '06 they had quit making them...

 

My point is it is easy to swap out the petrol power plant and replace it with electric if you start with the right chassis.


...take a look at the Formula-e cars and the e-bikes doing the Ilse of Man TT.


Motor On!

 

If you go to the US site, and most dealer sites, the Countryman is being pushed. I see commercials on TV as well. Mini's BIGGEST Mini.

It's a tough brand. It's a niche market. I don't think you could ever make it anything else. Having said that they need to focus on their roots. Stop making bigger Minis. Keep the gas mileage high and keep the car fun to drive.

HP is not the answer, that is even more niche of niche. I have an S and where I drive I can rarely keep the accelerator pushed for very long. My local dealer seems to sell 2 : 1 the Justa over the S and even less for the JCW.

Keep em odd, keep em spunky and they will continue to sell.

 

They don't sell many JCW's because of the price point. You start looking at a $36,000 to $40,000 or more MINI and there are alot of other vehicles that could come into play at that price point...

If they do ever make another 2 seater be sure and make it weighs less then the hatch back cooper this time around. Last one lost the back seat, dropped roof line but gained alittle over 50 pounds.. That's some nice engineering right there...

 

A new mini with tank tracks!

 

yes! And could we please name it the Mini Winterman? Or perhaps better, the Mini Cooper Treadman M&S ?

 

How about an AWD 2-door hatch JCW with ~300 HP. A real MINI that could easily trounce a Golf R.

Doesn't need to be a 2-seater or a SUV ... just a really fast MINI. And make the trim level high-end ... all MINI Yours spec.

 

a MINI with a reliable engine...

 

Current F series BMW engines seem to be reliable so far.

 

Maybe they could go back to making a small car.....

Like this !

 

I'm in for a really small MINI; otherwise, I'm looking elsewhere for my next toy car.

 

Its was rumored for a while the Coupe' would be in GP2 version... because of this rear diffuser and GP style wheels tested.

 

Like this.... Maybe that is why they had the fixed JCW Rear wing option for the R58/59.

 

Yea, that was my guess. It was going to be the GP but then they said it should be a true Hatch. And they were testing the Coupe w/GP parts before the GP2 hatch was seen. My guess is that the wheels and tires were being tested also on the Coupe', you can see the marks. We are close to the Kumho Tire Tech ( Kumho made the tires for the GP2 wheels) and development center is just north of our area and I did not see any test MINIs running around

http://www.tirebusiness.com/article/...on-tech-center