Only one day after BMW->ke178 announced the official details on the new generation 1-Series, Mini->ke57 has also joined in on the party by releasing details of their own for their much anticipated Mini Coupe->ke3496 . Last seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009 as a mere concept, the first two-seater in the company's lineup will make its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show with sales to begin shortly after. Prices will be announced at a later date.

The new Mini Coupe will come sporting an entire lineup of four cylinder engines ranging from the base Coupe with 121 HP up to the John Cooper Works Coupe with 208 HP. It will also be the fastest-accelerating MINI ever with the highest top speed. The JCW Coupe, for example, will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and will be capable of a top speed of 149 mph.

UPDATE 06/21/2011: Mini has revealed the official images for their latest model in the line-up, as well as pricing details for the American market. The base model will go on sale at a starting price of $22,000, while the S variant will cost $25,300 and the JCW will be priced at $31,900.

UPDATE 08/09/11: Want to play around and build your own MINI Coupe? Well, now you can get that opportunity! The German automaker has officially unveiled the online configurator for the car, which you can use to make your very own virtual MINI Coupe. Who knows, you might end up liking your work that you buy one for yourself.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Mini Coupe.

2012 Mini Coupe

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Mini Coupe
  • Segment: Array
  • Engine/Motor: four-cylinder
  • Horsepower: 208
  • Torque: 192@6000
Pros
Cons

Exterior and Interior

Take on look at this Coupe and there's no denying it is definitely a Mini. The proportions are kept about the same with the Coupe measuring in at 3,728 mm in length, 2,467 mm for the wheelbase, 1,459 mm for the front track, and 1,467 mm for the rear-axle track. The same jutted front end is seen with the standard Mini headlights and grille, but the company has changed the overall structure a bit by adopting a three-box body: engine compartment, passenger compartment, and boot. This change allows for a more Gran Turismo-style rear end. The Mini Coupe also gets a distinctive "helmet roof" form, optimized aerodynamic properties, a wide-opening tailgate, and a large, variable-use luggage area.

A new feature unique to a Mini model is the active rear spoiler. This spoiler pops up automatically when the MINI Coupe reaches a speed of 50 mph. When the speed drops below 37 mph again, a four-part control mechanism returns the spoiler to its rest position.

Engine

The new Mini Coupe will be offered with the latest generation of four-cylinder engines fitted on three different models: MINI Cooper Coupe, MINI Cooper S Coupe, and MINI John Cooper Works Coupe. Europeans will also receive the MINI Cooper SD Coupe powered by a 2.0 liter diesel power plant that delivers 141 HP and 225 lb-ft of torque.

The base Coupe model is powered by a 1.6 liter four-cylinder petrol engine that delivers a total of 121 HP at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm. This model will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 8.3 seconds, while top speed sits at 127 mph.

The next model, the S Coupe, is powered by the same 1.6-liter engine, but delivers more power thanks to a combination of turbocharging, direct injection, and variable valve management. These features get the engine pumping with 181 HP at 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 177 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm. The 0-60 mph sprint can then be made in 6.5 seconds and its top speed stands at 142 mph.

The most powerful model is of course the John Cooper Works Coupe. It is powered by a 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection that delivers 208 HP and a peak torque of 192 lb-ft at 6000 rpm. Take advantage of the Overboost function and that torque can be increased to 207 lb-ft for a short time. The MINI John Cooper Works Coupe will rocket from a standstill to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds on the way to a top speed of 149 mph.

The transmission options for the full lineup of Mini Coupes will include a six-speed manual gearbox fitted as standard and an optional six-speed automatic will also be available for the MINI Cooper S Coupe and MINI Cooper Coupe.

Prices

The new Mini Coupe is set to make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show with sales to begin shortly after. Prices will be announced at a later date.

Competition

The new Mini Coupe will go on sale around the same time Fiat sends the 500 to the US market in both coupe and cabrio version, making it the Mini Coupe's natural competitor. Right off the bat, the Mini Coupe has the advantage over the Fiat 500 because of its engine options. The Fiat 500 only comes with one engine option: an all-new 1.4-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine with state-of-the-art MultiAir technology that delivers 101 HP at 6,500 rpm and 98 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.

It has been rumored that Fiat will end up producing an Abarth version of its 500 for the States, so if that happens, maybe the JCW Coupe will have something to contend with. If not, Mini has this thing beat by a landslide.