IIHS ups the ante

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a non-profit organization funded by auto insurers, has been crash testing vehicle since 1995, when it began conducting frontal tests. Side crash testing began in 2003 and in 2005 the Institute awarded the first Top Safety Pick winners to 2006 models. The following year rear tests results were added and electronic stability control was required either as standard or optional equipment in order to qualify.

For 2010, the Institute upped the ante, requiring that all “Top Picks” meet new roof strength criteria – a change that resulted in the winnowing down of a record 94 Top Picks in 2009 to just 27 (and counting, as manufacturers can submit additional models for testing) for the 2010 model year.

“With the addition of our new roof strength evaluation, our crash test results now cover all 4 of the most common kinds of crashes,” says Institute president Adrian Lund. “Consumers can use this list to zero in on the vehicles that are on the top rung for safety.”

Toyota, we hardly knew ye

The IIHS report is quick to point out that Japanese manufacturer Toyota is conspicuously absent from this year’s list: Not a single model from the world’s biggest automaker by sales is represented among this year’s winners. Toyota and its Lexus and Scion subsidiaries had a strong showing in 2009 with 11 winners but were shut out for 2010.

Four other manufacturers scored goose eggs as well – With BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Saab all failing to place a single model on the list.

Both the Honda Accord and the Ford Fusion also fell from grace with the Institute, although Lund left them with an out: “Honda and Ford would have to make only minor changes to achieve good ratings for roof strength, as the Accord and Fusion just missed the mark.”

And the winners are…

Large cars

Buick LaCrosse
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Volvo S80

Midsize cars

Audi A3
Chevrolet Malibu built after October 2009
Chrysler Sebring 4-door with optional electronic stability control
Dodge Avenger with optional electronic stability control
Mercedes C class
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Passat sedan
Volvo C30

Small cars

Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Kia Soul
Nissan Cube
Subaru Impreza except WRX
Volkswagen Golf 4-door

Midsize SUVs

Dodge Journey
Subaru Tribeca
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs

Honda Element
Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan

1958 Thunderbird

COTY award

In 1949, Motor Trend became the first U.S. magazine to offer a Car of the Year award. For the next 50 years, it was handed out to domestic vehicles only (an Import Car of the Year category was established in 1970 and the two were combined for the 2000 award year).

As hindsight is inevitably 20/20, it’s easy to knock some of the past recipients, such as the 1971 Chevrolet Vega (with its engine block design that led to a history of head gasket failures), the 1980 Chevrolet Citation (that set a new standard in fwd-induced torque steer) and the 1983 AMC/Renault Alliance (which has been universally acknowledged to have been perhaps the magazine’s greatest faux pas).

But that being said, the Motor Trend Car of the Year award has also been bestowed on many of the most historically significant vehicles to grace our roads, including the 1958 Ford Thunderbird, the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado, the 1968 Pontiac GTO, the 1985 Volkswagen GTI, the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette and the 2005 Chrysler 300.

2010 nominees

For 2010, there were 23 contenders for the Motor Trend COTY award. As usual, vehicle eligibility is determined by a totally new or substantial redesign and all vehicles must have been available for sale between now and November 1st of the previous year. The list for 2010 was comprised of the following vehicles:

BMW 7 Series
BMW Z4
Buick LaCrosse
Chevrolet Camaro
Ford Mustang
Ford Fusion
Ford Taurus /SHO
Honda Insight
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Kia Forte Koup
Kia Soul
Lexus HS 250h
Mazda3
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan
Nissan 370Z
Nissan Cube
Porsche Panamera
Subaru Legacy
Suzuki Kizashi
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Golf /GTI
Volkswagen Routan

2010 Ford Fusion

In a first-ever live webcast event, Motor Trend announced this afternoon that the entire 2010 Ford Fusion model line had taken the honors for the 2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

“Ford has proven its resilience in these tough times by delivering to market a car with broad appeal to a broad range of consumers,” said Angus MacKenzie, MOTOR TREND editor-in-chief. “The Fusion range has matured into a competitive roster of midsize sedans, able to compete with sales juggernauts such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. It is no surprise the Fusion now ranks in the top 10 best-selling cars in America.”

Mark Fields, Angus MacKenzie, Derrick Kuzak

There to receive the award for Ford Motor Company was a plethora of executives from the company, including Mark Fields, executive vice president of the company and president, The Americas.

“The MOTOR TREND Car of the Year award is another testament of our commitment to delivering a world-class car lineup,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Ford Global Product Development, who accepted the golden calipers on behalf of the Ford team. “Whether it is the best-in-class fuel economy or quality unsurpassed by Toyota or Honda, the Fusion and Fusion Hybrid are clear evidence that Ford is serious about our car lineup.”

Vehicle intros

At LotPro.com, many of us can remember when dealers used to hide their upcoming models in their back lots and put Kraft paper on their front windows in anticipation of the unveiling of their latest models (the cars, themselves, would be kept under wraps on the showroom floor). As kids, we used to climb fences and peek in the windows of garages in order to get that first glimpse of the new Fords, Chevys and Pontiacs.

But time and technology marches on. As a society, we are no longer content to wait for the actual model introductions – even though the auto manufacturers regularly push new models to market as soon as possible – timing be damned. And with the realities of the internet and digital photography, the spy shot of a new model can be sent around the world in all of its high-resolution glory within a matter of minutes.

To counter this, manufacturers have resorted to releasing “teaser” images of their upcoming models. Having witnessed this phenomenon for quite some time, we are now ready to begin classifying them according to the amount of useful information the images supply.

Level 1 tease

Recent example – the new Volvo S60

These images include some type of full resolution image. These teasers include images of the actual production vehicle and can be classified as a “tease” only because the manufacturer withholds images of the interior of the vehicle as well as miscellaneous up close shots of the wheels, engine compartment and trim pieces usually found in the full-blown press kit.

Level 2 tease

Recent example – the upcoming Volkswagen mid-size sedan

Level 2 teases usually involve releasing either a small image of just a part of the vehicle, or an artist’s rendering. In both cases, you get a glimpse of the design direction and the overall “feel” of the vehicle without actually seeing it in its entirety (which would be the level 1 tease).

Level 3 tease

Recent example – the new BMW 5 Series

The level 3 tease is best described as the overt attempt by a manufacturer to drive most car crazies out of their minds. Examples of the level three tease include supplying images of vehicle outlines or shadows. Shooting the model in black against a black backdrop while lighting only two feet of the front fender also qualifies, as does the recent release from BMW in which the new 5 series is assembled using a CGI array of ball bearings to highlight only the horizontal surfaces beginning at the beltline and moving upwards.

Hyundai Genesis

NACOTY and NATOTY awards

At LotPro.com, we normally have to wait for the short list of candidates to be released by Automotive News. This year, Marty Padgett of The Car Connection (and also a juror) was kind enough to reveal the list just a bit early.

Patterned after the European “Car of the Year” award, the North American awards were first given in 1994. The jury is composed of no more than 50 journalists from the United States and Canada. In order to be eligible for consideration, a vehicle must be “substantially changed” from the previous model and be on sale shortly after the announcement of the award in early January. In addition:

•    Cars must have reasonably foreseeable annual sales in North America of 5,000 vehicles.
•    Trucks must have reasonably foreseeable annual sales in North America of 2,000 vehicles.

Ford F-150

From the short list of vehicles you see here, the three finalists in each category are announced in December and the winners are unveiled at a press conference at the beginning of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (although the show does not sponsor the awards in any way).

Award trivia: During the sixteen years of the car award, hybrids have been honored 4 times. Domestic automakers have garnered eight awards, Japanese automakers have won the award three times and European automakers have received the award four times (for Car of the Year), while 2009 marked the first year a Korean automaker was honored (the Hyundai Genesis for Car of the Year). In the Truck of the Year competition, domestic automakers have taken the award home 10 times (including the 2009 winner, the Ford F-150), Japanese automakers have won 4 times, while European automakers have won twice.

This year’s short list is comprised of the following vehicles:

Ford Taurus SHO

Car of the Year

BMW 335d
Buick LaCrosse
Cadillac CTS
Chevrolet Camaro
Ford Fusion/Fusion Hybrid
Ford Taurus
Honda Insight
Kia Soul
Mazda3/MazdaSpeed3
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Porsche Panamera
Subaru Legacy
Suzuki Kizashi
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Golf/GTI

Cadillac SRX

Truck of the Year

Acura ZDX
Audi Q5
Cadillac SRX
Chevrolet Equinox
Ford Transit Connect
Honda Crosstour
Land Rover LR4
Lincoln MKT
Subaru Outback
Volvo XC60

The four hours and forty-eight minutes of Le Mans

To say conditions at this year’s Petite Le Mans at Road Atlanta were horrendous would be an understatement. And while the duel between the Audi Sport Team Joest and Team Peugeot Sport was certainly evident in qualifying, many race fans were left to wonder who might’ve come out on top if the weather had been more forgiving and the cars had been allowed to complete the entire race.

Weather for the practice laps was marked by intense heat as the thermometer topped out at 85 degrees and extremely high humidity. On Wednesday, the first day of practice, the track surface had very little grip even in the early afternoon due to heavy rains the previous day. Audi suffered two mishaps in practice on Wednesday and Thursday as both Luhr and Werner put their R15 into the weeds which necessitated a new monocoque for the number 1 car on Wednesday night.

Other than a brake problem on their number 7 car in the early going, Peugeot encountered no such issues and, in fact, was able to test both cars with a combined equivalent of close to 1,000 miles.

Qualifying

Qualifying day saw air temperatures reach 91 degrees, while the temperature of the track surface was measure at 104 degrees. At the end of the day, Peugeot had both 908 HDi FAP cars on the front row with the number 7 car on the pole ahead of the number 8 car.

Audi, meanwhile, placed both R15 TDI’s in the second row, with the number 2 car in the third spot and the number 1 car in fourth, just 28 thousands of a second behind.

Race day

Not once in 11 years has the Petite Le Mans been run in such unfavorable conditions. The warm-up session had to be delayed due to rain and the cars were forced to line up on the grid immediately after only a few warm-up laps had been completed and for Audi, it only went downhill from there.

After dominating the race in the early going (McNish and Capello led for 163 of the first 168 laps), both Peugeots were able to get by the Audi under the yellow flag when McNish spun the Audi minutes after the two hour mark. Shortly thereafter, it began to rain in earnest and race officials parked the cars in pit lane.

The rain abated and the cars returned to the track, but this time there were no position changes between Audi and Peugeot. Then the rain returned and the race was red flagged for safety reasons at the 4 hour and 48 minute mark with the cars remaining in the starting block for nearly four hours waiting for a re-start that never happened.

Final Results

Here are the final results of the 2009 Petit Le Mans:

1. (2) Stephane Sarrazin, France; Franck Montagny, Brignoles France; Peugeot 908 HDI FAP (1, P1), 184.
2. (1) Pedro Lamy, Lisbon Portugal; Nicolas Minassian, England; Peugeot 908 HDI FAP (2, P1), 184.
3. (3) Allan McNish, Scotland; Rinaldo Capello, Italy; Audi R15 TDI (3, P1), 184.
4. (4) Marco Werner, Germany; Lucas Luhr, Germany; Audi R15 TDI (4, P1), 182.
5. (6) Nicolas Lapierre, France; Romain Dumas, France; Olivier Panis, France; Oreca 01 AIM (5, P1), 181.
6. (26) David Brabham, Australia; Dario Franchitti, Scotland; Scott Sharp, Jupiter, FL; Acura ARX-02a (6, P1), 180.
7. (28) Chris Dyson, Pleasant Valley, NY; Guy Smith, England; Lola B09 86 Mazda (7, P2*), 177.
8. (22) Jaime Melo, Brazil; Pierre Kaffer, Germany; Mika Salo, Finland; Ferrari F430 GT (1, GT2), 170.
9. (16) Tom Milner, Leesburg, VA; Dirk Mueller, Germany; Joerg Mueller, Germany; BMW E92 M3 (2, GT2), 169.
10. (21) Wolf Henzler, Germany; Dirk Werner, Germany; Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (3, GT2), 169.
11. (15) Oliver Gavin, England; Olivier Beretta, Monaco; Marcel Fassler, Switzerland; Corvette C6.R (4, GT2), 169.
12. (18) Patrick Long, Oak Park, CA; Joerg Bergmeister, Germany; Marc Lieb, Germany; Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (5, GT2), 169.
13. (8) Marino Franchitti, Scotland; Butch Leitzinger, State College, PA; Lola B09 86 Mazda (1, P2), 168.
14. (19) Johnny O’Connell, Flowery Branch, GA; Jan Magnussen, Denmark; Antonio Garcia, Spain; Corvette C6.R (6, GT2), 168.
15. (25) Seth Neiman, Burlingame, CA; Darren Law, Phoenix, AZ; Johannes van Overbeek, San Francisco, CA; Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (7, GT2), 162.
16. (14) Tom Sutherland, Los Gatos, CA; Tomy Drissi, Hollywood, CA; Matt Bell, Los Altos, CA; Chevrolet Riley Corvette C6 (8, GT2), 157.
17. (7) Jon Field, Dublin, OH; Clint Field, Dublin, OH; Lola B06/10 AER (8, P1), 152.
18. (20) Ian James, England; Dominik Farnbacher, Germany; Panoz Esperante GTLM Ford (9, GT2), 152.
19. (12) Bryan Willman, Kirkland, WA; Tony Burgess, Canada; Chris McMurry, Phoenix, AZ; Lola B06/10 AER (9, P1), 144, Accident.
20. (13) David Murry, Cumming, GA; David Robertson, Ray, MI; Andrea Robertson, Ray, MI; Doran Ford GT MK 7 (10, GT2), 142.
21. (11) Luis Diaz, Mexico; Adrian Fernandez, Mexico; Acura ARX-01B (2, P2), 139.
22. (10) Klaus Graf, Germany; Sascha Maassen, Germany; Greg Pickett, Alamo, CA; Porsche RS Spyder (3, P2), 136.
23. (23) Bryan Sellers, Centerville, OH; Dominic Cicero, Portland, OR; Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (11, GT2), 136.
24. (5) Gil de Ferran, Brazil; Simon Pagenaud, France; Scott Dixon, New Zealand; Acura ARX-02a (10, P1), 136.
25. (17) Bill Auberlen, Hermosa Beach, CA; Joey Hand, Sacramento, CA; Andy Priaulx, Germany; BMW E92 M3 (12, GT2), 133.
26. (24) Joel Feinberg, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Chris Hall, Daytona, FL; Dodge Viper Comp Coupe (13, GT2), 129.
27. (9) Jonny Cocker, UK; Robert Bell, UK; Paul Drayson, London, UK; Lola B09 60 Judd (11, P1), 123.
28. (27) Hideki Noda, Japan; Jose Manuel Balbiani, Argentina; Dion von Moltke, Coral Gables, FL; Radical SR9/AER (12, P1), 0.
29. (29) Adam Pecorari, Aston, PA; Gunnar Van der Steur, Chesapeake City, MD; Robbie Pecorari, Aston, PA; Radical SR9 AER (4, P2), 0.
30. (30) No drivers; Jaguar XK

All images courtesy of Audi of America

Bigger than a breadbox, better than a toaster

May of us are big fans of small cars here at LotPro.com. But just like their bigger brethren, the small cars that most excite us are those that go above and beyond the run-of-the-mill transport appliances that seem to be the mission of so many.

Two manufacturers that regularly peg the fun needle to “full” are Mazda and BMW’s MINI brand. Mazda has taken its “zoom-zoom” philosophy to heart by building small, zippy, affordable vehicles that rival those costing nearly twice as much from other automakers.

At the same time, BMW’s MINI division has resurrected a brand and brought a whole new level of style and luxury (at least here in the U.S.) to the minicompact segment.

Both automakers were in the spotlight this past week as BMW finally revealed its MINI Roadster Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show and Mazda detailed its plans to bring the Mazda2 to the U.S.

MINI Roadster Concept

We’ll start first with the sizzle. Prior to its unveiling, BMW had already confirmed that the MINI Roadster is slated to be produced alongside the current Hatch, Clubman and Convertible at the company’s Plant Oxford at the same time the MINI Coupé version will begin its model run.

But why produce a roadster when the MINI lineup already features a convertible? The obvious answer is the fact that, sans the rear seats, the MINI Roadster Concept allows for more storage room (who sits back there in the convertible, anyway?), and that in top-down mode, the look of the new MINI is far more appealing (the top stows neatly away as opposed to being stacked, accordion-like, behind the rear seats). As an added bonus, losing the rear seats means that the trunk now contains 8.8 cubic feet of storage space (up from 5.7 in the sedan and 6.0 in the convertible).

Mazda2

Earlier this week, Mazda North America president Jim O’Sullivan announced that the company would be selling its B-segment Mazda2 here in the U.S. beginning late next year.

“You’ve asked us for it for a while now, and we’ve been studying the market to make sure we can make a business case for it across North America,” O’Sullivan told the assembled dealers. “As consumers’ tastes and attitudes toward small vehicles have changed, we now believe strongly there is a place in our lineup for a car below our current least-expensive car, the MAZDA3. MAZDA2 will be true to everything that makes our cars stand apart from the competition: it will be stylish, fun-to-drive and a heck of a value. In short, it will be Zoom-Zoom.”

With Ford bringing its Fiesta over here next year and the fact that the two vehicles share the same basic architecture, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to come to the conclusion that, with the current dearth of  imaginative products in the B-segment available to American buyers, it makes sense to bring the Mazda2 to market over here, as well.

No further details were released, other than to note that the Mazda2 will make its debut at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Performance television

BMW announced on Wednesday that following the successful completion of a two-year beta phase, its extended IPTV went online on August 26th. Although the site will eventually be offered in thirteen languages (the German site is www.bmw.tv), an English version is available immediately at www.bmw.tv/com.

According to the company, the website “will continue to focus on the fields of motoring, innovation, lifestyle and sports – which pretty much covers everything outside the bedroom.

Site features

Visitors to BMW TV are able to access all video content in full HD quality. Other “clickable” videos contain embedded hotspots that will enable viewers to call up information on cars and other products throughout the video. The international website (the English version) also offers a 3D media library that will allow visitors to directly access videos.

During our first visit to the site here at LotPro.com, we were immediately entertained by the “Chris Pfeiffer rides BMW Tower” video, as the current Stunt Riding World Champion rides up to, into, and to the top of the BMW Tower in Munich – all the while doing donuts, wheelies, stoppies and burnouts.

Major areas of the site include “New” videos, as well as videos related to “Automobiles”, “Sport”, “Development” and “Motorcycles”. The BMW Magazine portion includes stories of special interest (“Luca and Giorgia Ferrari from Italy and their 1956 BMW Isetta 300”) as well as a history of the BMW brand, while the 3D Media Center allows visitors to visually pick out their favorite videos. You can also link to over 100 local BMW sites as well as to the iTunes site.

Prepare to be entertained

There are currently nearly 300 videos as well as 7 articles available on the site, and BMW plans on adding many more in the future. Users can also subscribe to the BMW TV program preview newsletter as well as RSS feeds.

Coupe and new model to be unveiled

In a press release this morning, Dr Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW, announced that the two new MINI models will be built at MINI Plant Oxford.

One of the vehicles will be based on the MINI Coupé Concept that was revealed last week, fifty years to the day after the first classic Mini went on public view. The second vehicle, referred to as a “second concept”, will likely be a two door roadster version of the Coupé Concept.

It’s also rumored that the production versions of both vehicles will be nearly identical to the concept versions. According to the press release, both vehicles will likely be powered by the 1.6-liter turbocharged MINI John Cooper Works power train.

Production site

MINI’s two newest models will be produced alongside the current MINI Hatch, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible at the company’s Plant Oxford.

According to Business Secretary (equivalent to the U.S. Secretary of State) Lord Mandelson “The production of the two new MINI models is very good news for Oxford, and for the UK car industry. It is a demonstration of BMW’s long term commitment to the UK as it celebrates its 50th birthday this year. “British drivers have had a long love affair with the MINI and I’m sure that this will continue for many years to come.”

Dr. Juergen Hedrich, Managing Director of MINI Plant Oxford, said: “The fact that Plant Oxford will be building these exciting new models shows the high level of flexibility of the plant and its associates.  The MINI family has a bright future.”

Production start dates for both the MINI Coupe and MINI Roadster will be confirmed in the near future and both will be slated for export to the U.S.

Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

Late last week BMW released images of its latest concept vehicle, the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, which will be revealed to the public for the first time at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Vision, executed in a 2+2 body style, uses plug-in full hybrid technology and, in the words of BMW, “combines the performance of a BMW M vehicle with a standard of fuel efficiency and emission management that exceeds even the current levels achieved by the latest small cars.”

To accomplish this feat, BMW used a “clean-sheet” design and engineering process for the Vision. A three-cylinder 1.5-liter turbo-diesel that produces 163 hp (109/liter) and 214 lb.-ft of torque and is supplemented by two electric motors, one for the front axle and one for the rear axle. Much like a mid-engine vehicle, the diesel is fitted forward of the rear axle with an electric motor positioned between the engine and a 6-speed double-clutch transmission (DCT).

Power and performance

Power output for the rear electric motor is constant 33 hp with a possible peak of 51 hp. Maximum torque is 214 lb.-ft. either supporting the engine or in all-electric mode. The second electric motor on the front axle offers a continuous output of 80 hp and peak torque of 162 lb.-ft. with 112 hp available for up to 30 seconds and 139 horsepower available for 10-second “bursts”.

In total, the overall output is 356 horsepower with a peak torque rating of 590 lb.-ft. (a maximum output for passing and quick acceleration situations). Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, with a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds. Fuel consumption is excellent, with an EU test cycle equivalent to 62.6 mpg.

Energy is stored in 98 lithium-polymer battery cells (with a total weight of just 187 lbs.) which can be charged via regenerative braking or, as the need arises, through a plug-in solution (the European 220 V, 16 Amp system will fully charge the Vision in 2.5 hours or less). A 6.6 gallon fuel tank gives the Vision Concept a 400 mile range, while in all-electric mode it will travel up to 31 miles, giving the vehicle a total range of nearly 431 miles.

Style

As for its styling, suffice it to say that the BMW Vision Concept makes the current generation of Lamborghinis look quite tame in comparison. The menacing look of the vehicle’s snout morphs into flowing curves along its flanks that terminate with a flourish of curves surrounding delicate floating taillamps. Given BMW’s “clean sheet” philosophy for the Vision, it will be interesting to see of any of its design cues make their way into the brand’s production vehicles in the future.

Images courtesy of BMW

50 years to the day

It was May 8th of 1959 when the first of the original Minis rolled off the assembly lines of Plant Oxford of the British Motor Corporation. The first official public presentation, however, occurred on the 26th of August of that same year. So it is hardly a coincidence that BMW chose that same date 50 years later to reveal images of a new MINI Coupe Concept that will have its official public preview at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show to be held next month, from September 17th through the 27th.

MINI Coupe Concept

According to BMW, the new concept is “designed to be the most dynamic and agile MINI ever built.” Designed as a 2-seater, the latest MINI iteration features a lower roofline than the sedan with A-pillars more steeply raked in order to accommodate this difference.

Design cues carried over from its four-door brethren include the large, round headlamp openings, hexagonal radiator grill with horizontal slats, low front spoiler and  black fender flares all ‘round.

Unique to the coupe is a spoiler, painted and striped to match the roof, that extends rearward from the trailing edge of the roof, hood stripes that extend forward to include the radiator grille, as well as a uniquely designed front air dam reminiscent of the John Cooper Works hardtop.

At 146.2 inches in length and 66.3 inches in width, the coupe exactly matches all current MINIs in width and the S, S convertible and John Cooper Works sedans in length, but its 53.4 inch height is exactly 2 inches shorter than all other contemporary models. Luggage capacity is greatly enhanced by the lack of rear seats and stands at 8.8 cubic feet (versus 5.7 for the MINI sedan and 6.0 for the convertible) and can be accessed through the rear tailgate that is hinged just above the rear spoiler.

The concept is equipped with the 211hp (208 in U.S. spec guise), 1.6-litre twin scroll turbocharged power unit found in current John Cooper Works models, and features sport seats, two Chronoswiss clocks to the right and left of the centrally-mounted tachometer, as well as 18” alloy wheels.