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RPM TV Website | March 25, 2024

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Mini stoking the fires for MX-5 competitor

Mini Superleggera Vision Mini Superleggera Vision Mini Superleggera Vision
Adam Schoeman

Mini has announced that they will be unveiling a special two-seater Mini for the Concorso d’Eleganza motor show, hinting at a possible MX-5 competitor in the coming years.

The car in question, named at Mini Superleggera Vision, was designed and built as a joint project between German based Mini and Touring Superleggera, a Milan based coachbuilder.

Insiders have suggested that the open top Vision concept is the first step towards a new range of roadsters that will share similar underpinnings, and that might be available in either front-wheel or four-wheel drive.

Seeing as this is a couch-built concept it is unlikely that very much of this particular car will filter back into the production model, but there are certain styling cues that could find their way across.

Mini Superleggera Vision

Mini Superleggera Vision

There is still a distinct feeling of retro-nostalgia in the Mini Superleggera Vision, particularly the oval lights, bonnet stripes (in the form on contours here), hexagonal grille and dashboard layout. It is clear then that Mini has not yet closed the book on its signature styling inspiration and that future models will still rely quite heavily on the 1960’s.

The Superleggera Vision is longer and wider than the current generation of Mini Roadsters, gaining most of its extended length in the front. This gives it a very different look that the traditional Mini, which has always had a relatively short bonnet.

The cabin is also placed well behind the front wheels, and because of the minimal rear overhang, a seating position that is closure to a GT car has been achieved.

While this is a departure from the normal Mini gokart like handling and driving style, Mini could be trying to position the new Roadster segment as a more relaxing Mini experience.

As mentioned, it is a little too early to really draw solid conclusions especially since this is a one-off production unit, but Mini’s direction is most certainly interesting…

Mini Superleggera Vision

Mini Superleggera Vision

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