The MINI Superleggera, commonly referred to as “Minarri,” is recognized as one of the most exhilarating concept cars crafted by the brand. Its impressive proportions and timeless design position it as a strong candidate for one of the most captivating concept cars ever. Although MINI intended to create the Superleggera, those intentions regrettably did not materialize. Recently, a gold-coated hybrid prototype has reignited interest, especially with the prominent production-focused modifications made to the vehicle. It remains unclear if this car will eventually make it to dealership showrooms, but we have obtained fresh insights into its driving experience through conversations with the design team and engineer Jürgen Greil.
MINI Superleggera: Just as Enjoyable as It Appears
The MINI Superleggera concept was in development for almost seven years, with one team member referring to it as “a dream realized.” The time and commendations were not wasted: the MINI Superleggera is described as “a joy to drive,” with 58% of its weight distributed over the rear axle. This distribution is akin to that of the Porsche 993 Turbo, nearing a 40/60 front/rear split, making it an absolute delight for driving lovers. Hidden beneath its exterior, the vehicle boasts a BMW i8 battery combined with a two-cylinder engine positioned at the rear. The design drew some influence from Ferrari, which is reportedly a factor in the BMW i3's rear-wheel-drive layout.
Nevertheless, the car's balance isn’t the only element contributing to its thrilling driving experience. Its weight is approximated to be around 1,000 kg (roughly 2,200 pounds), just below the weight of the current Miata. While the Miata generates around 180 horsepower, the MINI Superleggera is projected to produce a similar performance level. Its significant rear weight bias would cater to driving enthusiasts. Initially, the MINI Superleggera was planned as an “i4” model to be positioned below the i8, with ambitions to launch an entire lineup of vehicles beneath the i8, rather than simply competing with the 911 and Boxster.
The MINI Superleggera: Prohibited Pleasure?
As previously noted, MINI ultimately decided against the production of the MINI Superleggera. Reports suggest that the brand had too many variants at the time and chose to streamline instead of launching new models. This situation is particularly ironic considering the sometimes overlapping diversity within the BMW lineup, yet MINI functions as a separate entity. There was potential for creating a “twin” version of the Mini Ferrari alongside a BMW counterpart, but that concept never came to fruition. Despite efforts from Herbert Diess, who was a BMW board member for development, to commence production in partnership with Stefan Pierer at KTM, those plans also did not materialize. Ironically, the small, enjoyable vehicle was considered “too large of a leap.”
The MINI Superleggera, commonly referred to as “Minarri,” is recognized as one of the most exhilarating concept cars crafted by the brand. Its impressive proportions and timeless design position it as a strong candidate for one of the most captivating concept cars ever. Although MINI intended to create the Superleggera, those intentions regrettably did not materialize. Recently, a gold-coated hybrid prototype has reignited interest, especially with the prominent production-focused modifications made to the vehicle. It remains unclear if this car will eventually make it to dealership showrooms, but we have obtained fresh insights into its driving experience through conversations with the design team and engineer Jürgen Greil.
MINI Superleggera: Just as Enjoyable as It Appears
The MINI Superleggera concept was in development for almost seven years, with one team member referring to it as “a dream realized.” The time and commendations were not wasted: the MINI Superleggera is described as “a joy to drive,” with 58% of its weight distributed over the rear axle. This distribution is akin to that of the Porsche 993 Turbo, nearing a 40/60 front/rear split, making it an absolute delight for driving lovers. Hidden beneath its exterior, the vehicle boasts a BMW i8 battery combined with a two-cylinder engine positioned at the rear. The design drew some influence from Ferrari, which is reportedly a factor in the BMW i3’s rear-wheel-drive layout.
Nevertheless, the car’s balance isn’t the only element contributing to its thrilling driving experience. Its weight is approximated to be around 1,000 kg (roughly 2,200 pounds), just below the weight of the current Miata. While the Miata generates around 180 horsepower, the MINI Superleggera is projected to produce a similar performance level. Its significant rear weight bias would cater to driving enthusiasts. Initially, the MINI Superleggera was planned as an “i4” model to be positioned below the i8, with ambitions to launch an entire lineup of vehicles beneath the i8, rather than simply competing with the 911 and Boxster.
The MINI Superleggera: Prohibited Pleasure?
As previously noted, MINI ultimately decided against the production of the MINI Superleggera. Reports suggest that the brand had too many variants at the time and chose to streamline instead of launching new models. This situation is particularly ironic considering the sometimes overlapping diversity within the BMW lineup, yet MINI functions as a separate entity. There was potential for creating a “twin” version of the Mini Ferrari alongside a BMW counterpart, but that concept never came to fruition. Despite efforts from Herbert Diess, who was a BMW board member for development, to commence production in partnership with Stefan Pierer at KTM, those plans also did not materialize. Ironically, the small, enjoyable vehicle was considered “too large of a leap.”
