Monday, July 11, 2011

2012 Mini Cooper Coupe

 The exterior dimensions of the MINI Coupe give it very sporty proportions and a low, forward-thrusting profile. The two-seater measures 146.8 inches in length (MINI Cooper S Coupe, MINI John Cooper Works Coupe: 147 inches), 66.3 inches in width and 54.6 inches in height (MINI Cooper S Coupe, MINI John Cooper Works Coupe: 54.5 inches). In other words, while the overall length, width and wheelbase (97.1 inches) are almost identical to the measurements of the MINI, the car’s overall height sits a full inch lower than MINI Hardtop.




To improve airflow at higher speeds, the MINI Coupe is the first ever MINI to feature an active rear spoiler, and it is the first in the BMW Group family to incorporate this technology. Integrated in the boot lid, the spoiler pops up automatically when the MINI Coupe reaches a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). When the speed drops below 60 km/h (37 mph) again, a four-part control mechanism returns the spoiler to its rest position. It is also possible to operate the active rear spoiler manually, for example for cleaning purposes, using a button in the overhead control panel.
The MINI Coupe is kitted out as standard with 15-inch, 16-inch or 17-inch light-alloy wheels, depending on the variant. Further light-alloy wheel designs in these formats can be ordered as an option.
The MINI Coupe can be ordered with the most powerful gasoline engines in the brand’s arsenal. Outputs range from the 121 hp of the MINI Cooper Coupe, to MINI Cooper S Coupe (181 hp), all the way up to the MINI John Cooper Works Coupe, a thoroughbred athlete producing 208 hp. The four-cylinder gasoline engine in the MINI Cooper Coupe produces 121 hp from its 1.6-liter displacement, reaching this maximum output at 6,000 rpm. Peak torque of 118 lb-ft is on tap at 4,250 rpm. The MINI Cooper Coupe uses this instant pulling power to deliver impressive acceleration and races from rest to the 0-60 mph mark in just 8.3 seconds. Its top speed stands at 127 mph.