MINI has finally announced what had been long expected... the end of production for the MINI Roadster and Coupe....
Changeover at MINI Plant Oxford: while
worldwide demand for the new MINI 3 door and the new MINI 5 door
launched a few months ago increases continuously, production of two
model variants from the preceding generation of the original in the
premium small car segment is about to come to an end. The two
individual two-seater athletes MINI Coupé and MINI Roadster will
finish their career together and as planned. In taking this step, the
British premium car manufacturer continues the change of generation in
its model program and in terms of vehicle production at the Oxford
plant. The new MINI 5 door is now produced there in seven engine
variants, as is the new MINI 3 door.
The MINI Coupé was originally launched in the "Green
Hell": the new model saw its world premiere at the 24-hour race
on the Nürburgring Nordschleife immediately before its appearance at
the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in 2011. The MINI John
Cooper Works Coupé Endurance tackled the challenge with flying
colours, underpinning not just the sporting qualities but also the
reliability of the very first two-seater in the MINI model range. Ever
since then the MINI Coupé has provided thrilling and intense go-kart
feeling with its powerful engines, specific suspension set-up, low
centre of gravity and a rear spoiler that extends automatically at
high speeds. Perfectly matching its driving properties, the car's
unmistakable roof shape with integrated spoiler and flat silhouette
give the MINI Coupé an aura that is both athletic and distinctive.
The latest evidence of the popularity of the MINI Coupé is its
class victory in the "Best Cars 2015" reader's vote held by
the automobile magazine "auto, motor und sport". Now the
winner of the small car import ranking turns into the final straight -
together with the MINI Roadster, whose career defined by pure driving
fun and spontaneous open-air pleasure is now likewise to come to an end.
The British premium manufacturer was able to conquer an
attractive vehicle segment with the MINI Roadster, too. The first
open-top two-seater in the brand's history has a textile roof which
opens especially quickly, either manually or semi-automatically as an
optional extra. What is more the MINI Roadster – like the MINI Coupé –
offers an impressive degree of functionality with its spacious luggage
compartment complete with through-loading option.
The new model generation also provides hallmark MINI feeling in
growing diversity. Like the new MINI 3 door (combined fuel
consumption: 5.7 - 3.4 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions:
133 – 89 g/km), the new MINI 5 door (combined fuel consumption: 5.9 -
3.5 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 136 – 92 g/km) also offers a
choice of four petrol and three diesel engines, covering an output
range of 55 kW/75 hp to 141 kW/192 hp. The latest addition is the
extremely athletic MINI John Cooper Works (combined fuel consumption:
6.7 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 155 g/km), whose 4-cylinder
turbo engine mobilises the highest output ever seen in one of the
brand's serial production models at 170 kW/231 hp.
Meanwhile, MINI Plant Oxford continues to produce a guarantee of
open-air driving fun. The MINI Convertible is available in three
petrol and two diesel engine variants, and the MINI John Cooper Works
Convertible is still in the running, too.
In the premium compact segment, the MINI Countryman and the MINI
Paceman are likewise on track for success. The five-seater all-rounder
and the Sports Activity Coupé also offer a large range of engines.
What is more, both models can be optionally fitted with the all-wheel
drive system ALL4 which was especially developed for MINI.
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