Alun Thorne, Birmingham Post, 16th September, 2009
A Midland firm has been stealing the limelight at the Frankfurt Motor Show with a new two-seater. MINI took the wraps off its stunning Roadster Concept to gasps on the opening day of the prestigious event.
Everyone knew the MINI Coupe Concept was to be revealed at Frankfurt but the details of the second concept vehicle had remained a carefully guarded secret. Its unveiling not only marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of the original Mini but takes the little car into totally new territory by providing an alternative to cars such as the Audi TT Roadster and BMW Z4.
BMW – which owns Midlands-based MINI – says the MINI Roadster Concept is designed for maximum driving fun with nothing but the sky above. Unlike the electric hoods fitted on the conventional MINI Convertible, the Roadster’s will be operated manually – to keep the car’s weight down – in one very quick and easy action because it is much shorter. It folds simply and neatly behind the occupants’ heads.
The Roadster is powered by the 1.6 turbocharged engine already featured in the MINI Cooper S and promises to be a powerful performer. While it still carries the title ‘concept” BMW says both it and the MINI Coupe Concept will go into production and will be built at Plant Oxford. No price for either car has yet been set. The Roadster brings the ever-expanding MINI family to six.
[Source: Birmingham Post]
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