Mini->ke57 added a Coupe version to its lineup at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and put it on sale in the North American market in early 2012. Since then, the model remained pretty much unchanged and so it will for the 2014 model year.

The new Mini Coupe->ke3496 was previewed by the Coupe Concept that Mini unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and it is based on the Mini Cabriolet. However, unlike the cabriolet, the Coupe offers just two seats on the inside, so customers can enjoy increased trunk space when compared to the Mini Cabriolet.

Despite being a tiny city car and the Gran Turismo-styled rear end, the 2014 Coupe will be intimately distinguished as a Mini model, thanks to its standard headlights and grille.

As with the previous model years, customers can choose between three different versions: Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Mini Coupe.

2014 Mini Coupe

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Mini Coupe
  • Segment: Array
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 121 @ 6000
  • Torque: 114 @ 4250
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The 2014 Mini Coupe will offer the usual design elements we are seeing in all the other Mini models. These elements include a hexagonal contoured grille, large circular headlights, a black border around the lower part of the body, plus numerous chrome strips and surrounds. Also, just like on any other Mini model, the positioning lights and fog lamps are located in the front apron.

However, unlike all the other Mini models, the Coupe will be the first model to feature a three-box body structure: engine compartment, passenger compartment and boot.

The most distinctive feature of the Coupe is a prominent and innovative "helmet roof," which gives the model a sportier look that the rest of the Mini lineup. Mini also installed an active rear spoiler – a first for the brand - which pops up automatically when the Coupe hits a speed of 50 mph. It goes back to its resting position when speed gets down to 37 mph.

For the exterior, customers can choose between nine different colors combined with three contrasting colors for the roof: Jet Black, Pure Silver and Chili Red.

Dimensions

Length

146.8 inches

Width

66.3 inches

Height

54.6 inches

Wheelbase

97.12 inches

Front track

57.44 inches

Rear track

57.36 inches


Interior

The interior has also been specially designed to offer a great sports allure. The most notable feature is the large Center Speedo and the tachometer positioned directly behind the steering wheel.

The Coupe is offered with standard front sports seats. A larger cargo area eats up the vacant area left by the deletion of the rear seats. Speaking of cargo rear, the Mini Coupe offers a capacity of 9.8 cubic feet, so both the driver and the front passenger can take plenty of luggage.

Mini equipped the Coupe with larger door bins, three cup holders and a cross-rack behind the seats.

Standard Interior Features:

-Height-adjustable sports seats

-Electrically adjustable exterior mirrors

-MINI CD audio system with MP3-compatible CD player and AUX IN connection

Optional features:

-Park Distance Control with rear sensors

-On-board computer

-Automatic climate control

-Heated seats

-Multifunction steering wheel

-Automatically dimming rear-view mirror and exterior mirrors

-Armrest

-Storage package

Drivetrain

The base Mini Coupe is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 121 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 118 pound-feet at 4,250 rpm. This version will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds and up to a top speed of 127 mph. Those numbers are a little sluggish for its sporty look, but still acceptable.

Next, there is the Coupe S version. The S model pulls its power from a 1.6-liter engine equipped with a twin-scroll turbocharger and gasoline direct injection. This version delivers a total of 181 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 177 pound-feet delivered from 1,600 rpm. The Coupe S will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds, and up to a top speed of 142 mph.

The most powerful version is the Coupe John Cooper Works. It is powered by a 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine with twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection. For the JCW version, the four-cylinder engine makes use of an aluminum cylinder block and bearing mounts, reinforced pistons, a high-strength cylinder head and lightweight crankshafts.

The result on the JCW model is a total output of 208 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 192 pound-feet - Overboost pushes this figure up to 207 pound-feet for a short time. The Coupe JCW can rocket from a standstill to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds on the way to a top speed of 149 mph.

Drivetrain Specifications

Model

Cooper Coupe

Cooper S Coupe

John Cooper Works Coupe

Horsepower

121 @ 6,000 rpm

181 @ 5,500 rpm

208 @ 6,000 rpm

Torque

114 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm

177 lb-ft @ 1,600-5,000 rpm

192 lb-ft @ 1,820-5,600 rpm

Estimated Fuel Efficiency

37/29/32 (manual)
36/28/31 (auto)

35/26/29 (manual)
34/26/29 (auto)

35/26/29 (manual)
34/26/29 (auto)


Suspension and Brakes

Despite being a tiny car, the Mini Coupe is equipped with great technologies, like Electric Power Steering, DSC stability control system and powerful brakes.

Up front, Mini installed a powerful MacPherson strut suspension and on the rear, there is a multi-link suspension. The suspension system uses arms made of aluminum in order to cut down the weight, while the anti-roll bars keep body roll to a minimum. There is also an optional John Cooper Works suspension, which lowers the car's ride by 0.39 inches.

The base Mini Coupe version is offered with standard 15-inch alloy wheels, while the S version gets 16-inch wheels as standard. For the JCW version, Mini installed standard 17-inch, weight-optimized alloy wheels.

Prices

Model

Price

Cooper

$21,450

Cooper S

$24,750

John Cooper Works

$31,350


Competition

2014 Fiat 500

Despite its great look, the Mini Coupe failed to be as successful as the Fiat 500 which already claimed its first place on the American market. The 500 is powered by a 1.4-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine with state-of-the-art MultiAir technology that delivers 101 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 98 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm.

The model is priced from $16,000 - considerable lower than the base Mini Coupe.

Scion FR-S

While a not a direct competitor for the Mini Coupe, the FR-S is the perfect proof of what $25k can buy. The FR-S is powered by a 2.0-liter boxer engine that delivers a total of 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.

Do we need to add that the FR-S is a real sports coupe and not a city car masquerading around as a sports coupe?

Conclusion

The Mini Coupe is definitely a funky-looking car, but it has an uphill battle to be successful on the market. When you add the fact that it is pretty expensive for what it offers, you will see why Mini failed to transform it into the successful car the Fiat 500 is.