No, you haven't missed out on any breaking news...The Cooper GT doesn't exist.
But now that MINI plans on introducing new models to the lineup, like the upcoming MINI Cabrio and even a four-door and station-wagon supposedly in the works, that got me to thinking...and dreaming...

What if MINI made a slightly larger, more powerful Coupe to complement it's lineup? A "Cooper GT" if you will...
What if it had a smooth, powerful BMW V6? All-wheel drive, maybe?..slightly more muscular sheetmetal?...

Ok, I know, it's not gonna happen. And besides, it probably wouldn't really be a MINI anymore..
But a guy can dream, can't he?


MINI GT?:

 

that would be soooooooooo sweet, a slammed mini cooper s w/ about 250 hp for 30 grand or so.... i think that is a great idea.... but not to much headroom

 

i can imagine what one would look like too, not quite like the mockup, but nice effort!
sign me up!
i always wanted a m-coupe, so this would be my cup o' tea!

 

But then it wouldn't be a MINI! I personally don't want to see them expand to much... it is nice not having so many MINIs on the roads as other cars. While I wouldn't get one myself, I think a MINI Cabrio, and a MINI Roadster are good ideas, but they should stop there! No station wagons or pick up trucks or God only knows!

~Joe

 

>>that would be soooooooooo sweet, a slammed mini cooper s w/ about 250 hp for 30 grand or so.... i think that is a great idea.... but not to much headroom

Hehe..I see your point..
Actually, the headroom didn't change...the more steeply raked windshield and longer wheelbase makes it look that way, though!

 

and if you stretch it, you loose the great handling that our cars have. I think they need to shoe-horn in a v6 into what we've got. Don't know if it could be done but it would be nice...

 

Step 1) Remove rear seats.

Step 2) Place new Engine in place of rear seats.

Step 3) Make it work.

Voila!

~Joe

 

HELL YEAH!!!

 

Calvin77-
Good question. Nice picture.
A cooper GT?
V6- Would have to be small and light or the weight would offset the added power. Intercooled and supercharged? Nope, no need if it is V6, but maybe turbo. Or if you want to really be tricky then be like volvo and do 5 cylinders with turbo- oops added cost for R&D. What about a bigger 4 with turbo-maybe but again that means added weight over the front- that would affect handling. More power in the engine means a stronger transmission to keep up and a beefier suspension to support everything- again more cost and more weight. Don't forget a stronger brake and cooling system which help to balance the hot running and powerful engine.

All wheel drive- good, esp for those in snow. But added complexity means added cost and added weight which leads to less gas mileage.

More aggressive styling-maybe but it would not be like the cooper. Note how they made the cooper and cooper S look like the same car from the outside- I don't think they "wanted" them to look much different or that would have- the styling changes are subtle. They wanted a "cooper" family look. Might have to be different ala a GT body kit like we have an aero kit now. A little lower wider front with wider fender flares and lower side panels and wider lower rear fender with blank bottom valence to accept any exhaust opening location. Maybe add locations for extra lights in the front and rear bumpers- like mini rally lights and rear fog lights or rear reflectors.

Stretched platform- can't stretch too far or you will loose the ridgid frame and change the handling or add more weight to gain back the stiffness but add too much weight.

Make the windshield more raked and stronger to withstand a few rocks without caving in.

I think you can see that making too many changes leads to many other changes and then you loose the character of the original design.

 

Dream on regarding the V6. Thankfully, BMW doesn't make one. A V6 is simply a packaging compromise and inherently has more vibration than an inline 6.

Think about it: All the old cars (pre-front wheel drive days) had inline 6's because engineers know that it works the best. It's smooth because you get power 3X per revolution. You can also get almost as much displacement as a V8 without the extra weight and friction. It's interesting that GM is going back to inline 6's and Mercedes is dropping them. Wrong direction for Mercedes, that's for sure.

Now, on the other hand, BMW has some decent 4-cylinder engines from other markets that make more sense from a packaging viewpoint and are relatively technologically advanced.

 

One more thought: I'd like to see them stroke the existing motor. That would help a lot where the car needs a little help - in the area of torque. Long stroke motors are more torque-ey for the same displaceent and another 100cc would not hurt either.

 

I honestly don't think a GT-like model will be out of the question, just give it some time, and express interest to MINIUSA. As ong as they can make some money on it... I'm sure they could swqp in an I-6 from a Bimmer somehow. I think I heard of a 6 in a MINI already somewhere. Imagine the 333 hp M3 engine, heeheehee...

 

Interesting thread and idea, but personally, I don't like the looks of the streched MCS you created, Calvin. I also don't like the idea of a 2 cyl engine for a MINI. I've always preferred highly tuned 4cyl to 6 cyl. They are smaller and lighter, and have less internal friction. BMW had a very successful 4 cyl F1 engine based on the euro 4cyl 320 block, 1.8 liters. I think any major stretching or engine change will significantly affect the zippiness and amazing handling of the MINI. For a 6 cyl car, go with the BMW 330 or M3, and that's about as good as it gets. Try driving both back to back, and the difference in handling and zippiness is utterly remarkable. I like the 330 but far prefer my MCS. Now, a 1.8 liter 4 cyl. MINI or even a future 2 liter MINI would be an interesting proposition, IMHO, but I would pass on any 6 cyl.

 

dooooh,
of course I meant I don't like the idea of a 6 cyl, not 2 cyl like I wrote.
(the only 2 cyl that comes to mind is the Citroen deux chevaux - ugly duckling).

 

>>dooooh,
>>of course I meant I don't like the idea of a 6 cyl, not 2 cyl like I wrote.
>>(the only 2 cyl that comes to mind is the Citroen deux chevaux - ugly duckling).

Did you catch Mercedes' press releasse last week? They announced that in order to compete with the MINI, they've purchased the Citroen DS, and they're going to build a new version, to be released in 2005. It will have the same powerplant as the new Merc Coupe, and the same slanted back design of the classic DS.

 

citroen's in the US??? Do they still have those hyrdaulic shock things?

=D=

 

>> No, you haven't missed out on any breaking news...The Cooper GT doesn't exist.
>> But now that MINI plans on introducing new models to the lineup, like the upcoming MINI Cabrio and even a four-door and station-wagon supposedly in the works, that got me to thinking...and dreaming...
>>
>> What if MINI made a slightly larger, more powerful Coupe to complement it's lineup? A "Cooper GT" if you will...
>> What if it had a smooth, powerful BMW V6? All-wheel drive, maybe?..slightly more muscular sheetmetal?...
>>
>> Ok, I know, it's not gonna happen. And besides, it probably wouldn't really be a MINI anymore..
>> But a guy can dream, can't he?
>>
>>


>>MINI GT?:
>>

X2

 

I'm one of the few who thinks the M Coupe is devastatingly beautiful

 

2003 will be the last year for the M Coupe according to my BMW sales rep.

 

>>>>MINI GT?:
>>>>
>>
>>X2


My thoughts exactly. And it is one beautiful ride.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 will be the last year for the M Coupe according to my BMW sales rep.

hmmmm.....just saw pics of the M4 coming out end of year and it was definitely a coupe picture........

have to agree...a bigger mini, powerful 6 cyl at 300 hp plus with terrific recaro seats, terrific handling, gorgeous styling...whoops..thinking about the M3....lol...the mc & mcs are minis, not rockets, but then again the original mini at under 100 hp was never a rocket either, just a great handling, fun car to drive...I think that was what BMW was trying to create...will be interesting to see what the new BMW 1 series performs and the pricing...the word is that BMW does not want to increase the production of the minis because of the 1 series arriving which could impact mini sales and create minis then sitting on lots and losing value and the niche that has been created by mini ...be interesting to see.....

 

>>Now, a 1.8 liter 4 cyl. MINI or even a future 2 liter MINI would be an interesting proposition, IMHO, but I would pass on any 6 cyl.

I agree completely!

I'm hoping the the next generation MINI engine from MINI/Pugeot/Citroen is indeed a 1.8L!

 

Arent the rotary engines of the RX-7 (or even RX-8) really small? That's the impression I got anyway... Please inform me if I'm wrong, I love to hear about this sort of thing.

Also, if the rotary engine would fit, I'm sure certain adjustments could be made for a turbo... or two... he... he... hehehehehe!!!

Sorry. I was discussing putting on of those into a classic mini as a sleeper/death trap classic mini.

Back to bed.