Mini Cooper Coupe's styling has sparked a raging controversy--is it a styling disaster or classic variant?
MINI Cooper's new Coupe concept debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show to both applause and bewilderment. The interwebs are buzzing over its wild roofline, with one wag commenting that it looks "like a bad toupee" and others wondering if disgraced former BMW designer Chris Bangle has figuratively risen from the dead to strike with his ugly stick again? Actually a team working under design boss Gert Hildebrand is responsible for the quirky design.
Check out the MINI Cooper Coupe slide show below and leave a comment about your reaction.
This Coupe is a two-seater, as will be its roadster companion that BMW debuted at Frankfurt. Proposed pricing runs in the $36,000 range which is a sizable increase over a standard MINI Cooper. Those who see it as a less handy, less attractive version of the more affordable MINI Cooper sedan might be tempted to stay away in droves.
The MINI Cooper Coupe concept car was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It's described by a BMW insider as differing very little, if at all from the production version's styling. The coupe seems intended as more of a full-on sports car than current MINI offerings with its two-seater interior, John Cooper works package and aluminum bits
The limited production Mini Cooper Broadspeed Coupe was built in the 1960s. As you'll see in the slide show below, its clean fastback shape lacked the heavy hand of design as seen on the MINI Cooper Coupe concept.
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Comments
I like it. It's different, and yet still has a familial resemblance to it. People adjusted to the Corvette with fixed headlights, they will adjust to this too.
I go away for a few weeks and look what happens. They chop topped the mini. In a world where the Smorsche and the Smamborghini are starting to sound no longer quite so funny, the idea is sound. I'd have to drive one for a few weeks, though, before reporting on liking or disliking the car with any absolute certainty.
Instant classic- i love the styling!
I'd buy one - damn straight I would. LOVE it! can I trade in my '06 mini S convertible for one now?
dumb ass the corvette started with fixed head lights, plus this car would be great, with a little work on the top, im gunna guess it drives alot like a Beamer one 35I
It's the coolest mini yet. Love it.
The new Cooper looks awesome. A million times better than the newer cars coming out. R.I.P Subaru Legacy's good looks ;_;
What an ugly vehicle. Below the waistline it is a typical MINI, then they completely screwed it up with that awful roof design! This will go down with the Pontiac Aztes and Toyota Prius as the ugliest cars ever!
I ...like it, but I think the roofline on the orange mockup is a little better. I appreciate the effort to keep the spoiler on the rear edge of the roof, but don't like the way it dips down around the window. Have to wait to see the real thing. Still love the hatch!
i like it im a big mini cooper fan and cant wait to get one and i would be dead proud to drive this car i mean its shape could have been designed better but i would complain if i had one :)
i just saw the picture of the orange one that was sent out before bmw realeased the car it looks so much better in that image!!
i have a mini and love it but this coupe roof is UGLY! from the rear it looks like a clam with a shell disease.
I think it looks good. We currently have a mini, a mini S, and a Mini club man. I think this will be a wonderful new addition to the mini line. I can't wait to get one.
i love it and want one, i drive a convertible cooper s and i am jealous.
Make it a convertible and it would certainly look a lot better than the current Mini Convertible. I like the hardtop. Reminds me a bit of the Karmann Ghia. Send it to Sebring next March and see how it does as a GT racer.
I like the shape but I think it would make a good hard top convertible. I like the image before it was released and I think this one would look good if the spoiler was not there or placed somewhere else.
I would surely buy it once it's in production. It's a great design.....it's an instant classic!
its a classic...i love it...i want one
I currently own a cooper S,this is ULGY
I own a Cooper S, and I must say, the coupe concept is absolutely beautiful. I fully appreciate the sports car look for this new MINI.
Produce the car!
It's awesome! I'll buy it to replace my '03 S.
awesome mini cooper..i think 95% of the population would like this design.. it has a 911 instant classic look on it..now if they can produce it in hydrogen or electric, even better.
The yellow one has a much better roof design that could also fit a sun or moonroof. Also with the yellow one the ease of getting in and out of the car would be better, plus I just think its much better looking(more of a mini personality).
I think it looks great! It's the MINI I've been waiting for. I know that some people don't like it, but that won't stop me from buying one.
I love it, but it's about $10,000 out of my price range and unless it's got all JCW stuff underneath, it is waaaaay overpriced. Big mistake if they honestly think they'll sell many at that price.
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