MiniCoupeConcept

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Mini Coupe and Roadster Concepts

It may be Mini's 50th anniversary – marking the date that the famous British engineer Sir Alec Issigonis launched the original back in 1959 – but it's only been eight years since BMW relaunched the badge in its own image. And since then, the Mini line-up has expanded dramatically: the original hatch has since been joined by a convertible and the Clubman extended wagon, and there's a crossover utility version on its way. But in Frankfurt this year, Mini unveiled a pair of new concepts that have now been confirmed for production.

With a sportier, more aggressive profile than the iconic Minis on which they're based, the Coupe Concept and Roadster Concept hint at a pair of more performance-oriented two-seaters that will join the Mini range in the near future. The engines and mechanicals will likely carry over from the existing models, as will the lower halves of the bodies. But above the belt, it's all business, with more steeply raked windshields and a sloping roofline for the Coupe and a speedster-style rear deck for the Roadster. Production is already gearing up at the factory in Oxford, England, but it'll likely take a little while before these premium pocket rockets hit the market. In the meantime, we invite you to peruse our gallery of high-resolution photographs taken at the duo's unveiling in Frankfurt.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Mini Coupe and Roadster Concepts

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Mini Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Coupé Concept

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Today is the Mini's 50th birthday. Half a century ago, the original Mini was unveiled, and to mark the occasion, BMW, the company responsible for its revival as a premium brand, has unveiled the Mini Coupé Concept. Based on the iconic hatchback, the Mini Coupé Concept cuts a strikingly slick silhouette with room for two inside. At the moment it's purely a show car, to be unveiled at the Frankfurt show next month, but word on the street is that they could put it into production. The Coupé Concept is also likely to spawn a convertible Roadster version, with a swept-back windshield and a more sporty attitude than the existing Mini Convertible.

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