All-new two-seat coupe{aac} is set to arrive on Thai shores at the year's end.
- Hey, this Mini makes sense...
You could say so, if you don't take the idea of the original Mini into account. Today's Mini has been a tremendous success, despite some flaws, like cramped space for rear passengers. Nevertheless, customers mostly drove on their own, so the rear chairs were hardly used.
And that's why, as you suggested, Mini's all-new Coupe{aac} does make sense _ it's a strict two-seater and has a booted rear end to make it the first three-box Mini. In other words, the Coupe{aac} is a proper coupe{aac}, as its moniker indicates.
And to make the Coupe{aac} as funky as possible in the Mini tradition, there's a distinctively "helmet-styled" roof whose colour is different from the body.
As well, there's a rear spoiler that pops up at 80kph which appears to have been installed more for visual pleasure rather than dynamic function. Overall height is 52mm lower than in the Hatch model.
The interior of the Coupe{aac} is broadly based on those used in other Mini variants, but it has been spiced up with distinctive colours and trimmings.
The cabin has been spruced up with colours.
- Could it be quick on the move?
Certainly, if you specify for the John Cooper Works variant coming with a 211hp 1.6-litre petrol-turbo engine that's good for a 0-100kph sprint in 6.4sec. But you need to be a real driving enthusiast because it only comes with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Probably of more relevance to Thais would be the Cooper S, Cooper and Cooper SD, all three having six-speed automatic transmission. Armed with a more relaxed 184hp blown 1.6, the Cooper S is half-a-second slower to 100kph than JCW.
And for those who really don't care about performance, the Cooper would suffice with a 122hp motor head without a turbo which requires a more leisurely 9.0sec from 0-100kph.
The Cooper SD, with a 143hp 1.6-litre diesel-turbo engine and 7.9sec acceleration time and 23kpl economy, sounds interesting, but BMW Thailand has yet to go diesel with its fashionable small car brand in Thailand.
Passengers can access the boot from the cabin.
- Should I sell my MX-5?
That really is a matter of taste. One thing's for sure, though: prices of the Mini Coupe{aac} will be on the radar screen of Mazda Sales (Thailand) when it goes on sale at the year's end.
Today, the Mazda MX-5 is sold at 2.64 million baht in 160hp 2.0-litre form and with a retractable hard-top (tastelessly badged RHT). Given Mini's pricing trends in Thailand, the Cooper could be cheaper and the Cooper S dearer than the Mazda roadster.
The Mini Coupe{aac} could appeal to MX-5 drivers who have never opened the roof.
- And what if I do like to open it?
Then the Mini Coupe{aac} is obviously not for you. But don't despair: the Mini Roadster is due next year and is highly likely to sport a classic rag-top for those needing to have their faces blown with the tropical heat in Thailand.
And it ain't a rumour. Just after the Coupe{aac} and Roadster were shown in concept forms two years ago, Mini has officially announced their sales date: 2011 and 2012 respectively.
So here's the market-ready version of the Coupe{aac}, the fifth body variation after the Hatch, Convertible, Clubman and Countryman.
The Mini family so far
HATCH
The pioneering three-door body is still the most popular in Thailand even though it has flaws in packaging terms.
CONVERTIBLE
The rag-top doesn't make much sense in hot and humid countries, but there's a stylish and funky appeal to it.
CLUBMAN
You could call this a "stretched" version of the Hatch, although it's the unique doors that make it special.
COUNTRYMAN
A proper five-door hatchback-cum-SUV derivative that's probably the least fun Mini to have.
COUPE
The latest member looks set to be the most intoxicating Mini to be in and have. It takes only two _ perfect for most.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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