New rival for the MX5 under development

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Mini Superleggera to take on Mazda MX-5 in 2019

Mini will bring a production version of its Superleggera roadster concept to market in 2019, with a 227bhp JCW version also planned
 
15 July 2015
Mini is pursuing plans for a new flagship roadster after what company insiders describe as an overwhelming response to its Superleggera concept, first revealed at the 2014 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy.

The new two-seater is intended as a direct rival to the new Mazda MX-5. It is likely to form part of a future five-pillar Mini line-up, as an offshoot of the Cabriolet model, and has been conceived to use a range of powerplants. These include a new petrol-electric plug-in hybrid system that provides the basis for a 216bhp four-wheel-drive variant.

Speaking about plans to progress the Superleggera towards production, Mini boss Peter Schwarzenbauer said: “The interest was tremendous when we showed this concept car. We are now working hard to get it on the street. It’s an economically challenging project and there is no firm decision, but we have a lot of people here that are fighting for it. I think it would be extremely good for the brand.”

The basis for the new Mini roadster is the short-wheelbase UKL platform of parent company BMW. This platform is also used by the current Mini hatchback. The versatile structure is described as being highly suitable for an open-top car because of its rigidity and low weight.

Unlike the rear-wheel-drive MX-5, the Superleggera is planned to be offered natively with front-wheel drive. The option of four-wheel drive is likely to be available for more powerful versions.

Schwarzenbauer insists the Superleggera is not seen inside the company as a replacement for the existing Coupé and Roadster models. “They don’t compare. The Superleggera is a serious sports car,” he said.

Power is expected to come from a range of three-cylinder and four-cylinder petrol and diesel powerplants, all of which are used in other Minis. Ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 litres, they are likely to offer between 134bhp in an entry-level Cooper model and 227bhp in a John Cooper Works variant.

The plan to provide the new roadster with a hybrid option has led one Mini official to describe the new roadster as a junior BMW i8. The official said: “The system is quite similar, although it has been turned 180deg to site the combustion engine at the front and the electric motor at the rear. It also provides the scope for on-demand four-wheel drive and electric drive up to 50mph.”

This new hybrid system will appear first on BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer. It uses a front-mounted turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine developing 134bhp and 162lb ft and a rear-mounted electric motor with 87bhp and 122lb ft. All up, it has a total system output of 216bhp and 209lb ft of torque.

In the 2 Series Active Tourer, drive is channelled from the combustion engine to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox. The electric motor transfers its power to the rear wheels via a twin-speed gearbox also mounted at the rear in a layout that provides a distinct rearward weight bias.

Energy for the electric motor is provided by a relatively small 7.7kWh lithium ion battery that is also sited at the rear.

The first Mini to feature the new hybrid system will be the second-generation Countryman, due in the second half of 2017. It is expected to be followed by the Superleggera roadster in 2019.

Stylistically, the new Mini roadster is expected to lean heavily on the Superleggera concept car. Both longer and wider than the existing version, it has classic roadster proportions with a long-by-Mini-standards nose, a two-seat cabin set well back within the wheelbase and a minimal rear overhang.

Overall, the body is more heavily structured than that of existing Mini models. Prominent elements include a defined shoulder, distinct swage line and an abruptly curtailed rear end.

Plans to base the production version of the Superleggera around the UKL platform suggest it could be produced ?on the same production line ?as the hatchback at Mini’s Cowley plant in the UK.

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Front wheel drive or four wheel drive?  MX5 rival?..

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I like it, I suppose it will be silly money tough

Alex Issigonis would be turning in his grave 

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I think the price would probably kill it for MX5 owners?

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I’m not sure he would.

 

He didn’t think “today I’m going to design an austerity Britain stripped to the bone car”. Leonard Lord came up with the design brief, in the wake of the Suez Crisis, leading to petrol rationing and a boom in German bubble car sales. He hated German cars and wanted rid of them, and set a brutal size specification. Issigonis had been busy at the time designing twin cam V8 luxury cars at Alvis. He was half German, so I can’t think that Issigonis would resent the German connection. The car he designed he most liked was the Land Crab, which spawned a range of different models. He himself was responsible for generating new derivatives of the MIni, such as the Mini Moke.

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It’s an ugly looking car - not for me

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I love the central raised fin on the rear, also the split Union Jack of the rear lights. Based on my current strategy when buying cars, then i’ll be well into my dotage before I can buy one of the first release models?  

Barrie

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Ugly?  Really?  To my eyes it’s a lot prettier than the current MX-5/Fiat.  Nice tension around the wheel arches, and subtly, swoopy organic curves, with a touch of retro I’m-not-sure-what.  Beauty is in the eye…etc.

Hope it does make it to production - and good luck to MINI/BMW if it does. 

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I think it has great lines!  Very nice looking, if they don’t muck it up during development.  For some reason the front reminds me of the old “Austin Atlantic”, anyone else?

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I like it too.

To my eyes, it has the curves reminiscent of the NC (my favourite), which Mazda have lost with the new MX-5.  Not sure about the fin though, but that would probably get ‘lost’ for a production car.

We’ll have to wait and see…

 

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Yes that’s it! I felt that it was faintly familiar, but couldn’t think how. Thanks Countryboy.

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Full frontal it looks like a bunny caught in headlamps which thought it’s OK in the middle of the road, then realises it’s a Reliant Robin about to squash it.

Basically, I rather like it. I think Sir Alex might approve too.

Shades of  Jag C/D type to me.

If they do funky colours Mazda might do something imaginative for a change.

Don’t think it matters a hoot which tyres put the power down.

I’m sure they will get the chassis right.

We’ve seen (historically) good front wheel drives sports cars before from Lotus & Fiat, and Ford.

Even my fwd Renault 5 turbo back in Egyptian times was a complete hoot.

(When it started and bits actually failed to fall off.)

I’m far too young at 65 to have seen an Austin Atlantic.

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Well considering how good the Mini chassis has been certainly since the R56 I have then it could be an absolute hoot to drive.

Mine is a good deal of fun, so that much fun in a stunning looking car with no roof has got to be a winning combination.

It may not satisfy folks who like the nimble RWD mx5 but lets face it the majority of people who buy a 5 don’t really care about the drivetrain.

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Another imaginary creation - who’s to say what reality will bring? That’s a major departure from the base BMW Mini, itself a grown up version of the original. I think you’ll all be dissapointed when the production (or pre-production) model hits the road.

Magazines love to dream - dream on - - - - !

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No thank you. Nice lines but ugly front end. When are they going to drop the Mini name and call it for what it now is, a Chelsea tractor! My daughter has the Countryman Estate and it dwarfs my wife’s Audi A3.

whatever hits the street people will buy it for the name/kudos Of owning one.

Jeff.

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This is really old news and I believe it’s fantasy!  

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Heck yes!  I’ve just realised that the Autocar article is dated 15 July 2015!  Over 2 years ago!

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The article does say that the car should be in production in 2019, I wonder if it’s still in development?