Tuesday 27th May 2014

Mini Superleggera Vision

What does it take to make the third-gen Mini beautiful? A makeover by Touring Superleggera is a good start

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The third-generation Mini may well be possessed of many enviable qualities. But, by heck, by the time it's reached Cooper S spec it's hit every branch on the way down. Not since the days of the Bugatti-based Edonis has a car been so unnecessarily perforated with superfluous vents and grilles.

Good looking third-gen Mini shocker

BMW sponsorship of the glitzy Villa d'Este concours has worked in Mini's favour though. With a little help from the craftsmen at Touring Superleggera it's created a dinky little coachbuilt speedster that brings a thus unseen degree of elegance to the new Mini.

"Touring Superleggera and Mini have much in common," claims BMW design boss Adrian van Hooydonk. Yes, he's a real person and not some Sniff Petrol creation. And, yes, he seems to sincerely believe that. "Both companies attach great importance to their history and this is something which defines their outward appearance to this day. What is more, they both emphasise iconic design and distinctive solutions. These elements are merged in the Mini Superleggera Vision to create an elegant automobile which interprets a British roadster under the influence of Italian style and hand craftsmanship."

So that's the official line covered.

Single aluminium sheet forms dash panel

Coachbuilt Minis are nothing new - indeed there's a PH thread devoted to celebrating some of the classic creations of Radford, Wood & Pickett and others back in the proper Mini's heyday. But Touring's creation is both dramatic and, yes, successful. Are the Union Flag echoes in the rear lights cheesy or cool? Not sure on that one but the shape is suitably stunning, likewise the elegant minimalism of the interior with its single sheet of aluminium forming the dash.

Looking good then and perhaps a hint of something super exclusive and fast in the mould of beautiful Zagato Abarths and the like. The only possible disappointment is the news fashion dictates an electric drivetrain; with a banging and popping JCW spec petrol motor it could have been quite the tool. If not for a rainy Bank hol.

[ducini]

I wonder why they put the silly shark fin on the boot. Other than that, it's an interesting interpretation of the mini.

[Coldfuse]

Better looking by far than the latest generation of Bini.

[TaRD]

So the only way to make a good looking Mini is to make a car that only vaguely looks like a Mini?

[Quickmoose]

...and still isn't really that good looking... dumpy lumpy looking thing with some nice details IMO.

[Ali_T]

Shark fin and front grill are awful, rear lights made me laugh in a good way. Pleasant shape, otherwise, and probably not dissimilar to how the Abarth Roadster will turn out.

[Vee12V]

I'm fed up with BMW/Mini presenting concepts at Villa d'Este they know up front they'll never going to put into (limited) production.

[Oddball RS]

Mini need to do something 'special' the current range may be good cars but Christ they are grim to look at, Guppy anyone?

[Prawnboy]

I think this looks great, and the lights at the back work.

The new mini is an utter dog to look at.

[skyrover]

Looks good from the rear... terrible from the front

[renaultgeek]

nissan figaro/daihatsu copen?

[FWDRacer]

Union Jack rear lights This, my germanic cousins, is why the design is best left to the Brits and not what your interpretation of British design should be.

In fact - it is why the Bini has got progressively worse appearance wise since R50 (Which Rover designed).

[KMB]

The tail fin is actually pretty funny! You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

[Escort Si-130]

I actually like this, apart from the rear boot shark fin. Compared to the st Mini being pouring out like that fk ugly countryman abomination.

[bencollins]

[andyps]

FWDRacer said:

Union Jack rear lights This, my germanic cousins, is why the design is best left to the Brits and not what your interpretation of British design should be.

In fact - it is why the Bini has got progressively worse appearance wise since R50 (Which Rover designed).

I agree with you, can't see why an Italian designer has used the Union Flag on a car commissioned by a German company. Trying too hard in my view.

Overall the car looks OK but not really sure what it has to do with Mini, it looks like it will be pretty long and interior space will be poor so it is a long way from the basic premise the Mini brand had initially. As we won't get to drive one the other element of the Mini - the handling - will remain unproven.

[FourWheelDrift]

I wonder if the shark fin on the boot is there purely for the high level brake light regulations, despite it not needing it because it won't be produced.

[Fastchas]

I swear I dreamt up the same kind of thing this weekend but with more of an 'F'Type flavour!
I like it. A lot.

[AlpinaB5s]

Interior reminds me of the Z8 and thats no bad thing....

[XJ40]

I like it, looks a nice design. Not sure about the fin though, it's a bit of fun I guess but seems a bit unnecessary.

[will-w]

Those rear lights are the single best thing about that car

10/10