Last week we reported the specification levels of the 2011 Mini Coupe. BMW was kind enough to supply photos of the car, but decided to leave their signature camouflage tape covering the new car’s reshaped roofline and bootlid.
Thanks to CAR’s spy photographers we can remedy that, with scoop photos of the Mini Coupe ahead of its official unveiling.
The Mini Coupe: caught with its camouflage off
Our two scoop photos show a production Mini Coupe strapped-down to a shipping pallet at an undisclosed location. The car’s distinctive ‘cap backwards’ roofline has survived intact from the 2009 concept car, along with the contrasting-colour roof and twin racing stripes. We can also see the rear pillar layout, which thankfully provides a small rear side window underneath the heavily stylised roof and rear spoiler.
Visible in the second photo is the lip on the bootlid edge formed by the retractable spoiler. The rear wing deploys automatically from 50mph to provide additional stability. Hopefully without further constraining rear vision, which is truncated by the roof spoiler compared to the standard Mini hatchback.
This car is badged as a Mini Cooper S Coupe, which retains the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the Cooper S hatchback. The Cooper S lacks the bodykit and vent detailing of the car shown in last week’s preview photos, which we believe to be reserved for the range-topping Mini John Cooper Works Coupe.
The Mini Coupe will be available in October 2011.
>>The new Mini Coupe: love it or loath it? Share your thoughts in the comments section below:
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