MINI Coupe makes Malaysian debut
The BMW Group recently expanded the MINI range to five models with the Coupe, and it didn’t long for the folks at BMW Group Malaysia to update its product portfolio accordingly. The new model is MINI’s first ever two seater, and it was launched last week together with a brand new MINI 4S centre at Glenmarie operated by long-time BMW dealer Auto Bavaria.
The MINI Coupe’s arrival comes on the back of strong performance by the MINI brand as a whole in Malaysia over the past two years. According to Mr Geoffrey Briscoe, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, “In 2010, BMW Group Malaysia sold a total of 222 MINIs the entire year, but as of September 2011, we’ve already surpassed that figure with 225 units sold.”
Many may regard the three box design as one of the most traditional shapes in the car world, but MINI’s take on the concept is hardly what you would call conservative, or even conventional. Its proportions are somewhat unusual, thanks to its distinctively-styled ‘helmet roof’, painted in a contrasting colour as standard. Not purely for aesthetics is an active rear spoiler that automatically rises at 80kph and returns to rest once speed dips below 60kph.
If the exterior look takes some getting used to, the interior is a familiar MINI affair, dominated by the trademark large Centre Speedo and steering column-mounted tacho. To allow taller drivers to fit under the low roof, the roof liner has oval recesses to generate additional headroom. There is no room for rear passengers, but despite using multi-link rear suspension, there is a commendable 290 litres available for cargo storage in the boot. A variable luggage compartment cover allows for improved storage options with bulky objects.
Under the hood are a similarly familiar items, where BMW’s 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged Prince engine resides and is paired with the ZF 6-speed automatic transmission. In this guise, outputs are rated at 184hp and 240Nm, sufficient to propel the Cooper S Coupe to 100kph in 7.1 seconds before maxing out at 224kph. Tested against EU cycles, the MINI Cooper S Coupe averages a fuel consumption of 6.7 l/100km and emits 155g of CO2 per km.
BMW is keen to emphasize that the Cooper S Coupe retains the MINI’s trademark go-kart driving experience. Like the hatchback, the MINI Coupe is independently sprung all-round with MacPherson struts up front and multi-link at the back. Steer is provided by an electrically-assisted rack.
The range of exterior paint finishes for the MINI Coupé body comprises eight colours including Chilli Red, Pepper White, Spice Orange, Midnight Black, British Racing Green II, Eclipse Grey, Lightning Blue and White Silver. The car’s roof is painted as standard in a contrasting colour; customers can choose from Jet Black or Pure Silver. The colours of the upholstery, meanwhile is a distinguished Carbon Black.
New owners of the MINI Coupe can also spec their cars out with the optional MINI Connected package that will you back by RM14,988. The MINI Connected package is a suite of technology features that opens the door to a globally unique form of in-car entertainment, utilising technology specifically developed to integrate the telecommunications, entertainment and online functions of an iPhone into the MINI, using a cable supplied with MINI Connected for the USB socket or via a snap-in adapter.
The retail price (on the road for personal registration, without insurance, with the MINI Tender Loving Care service package) for the new MINI Cooper S Coupe is RM 249,888.
Pictures: Official BMW release.
