MINI Superleggera “MINI Ferrari” Concept Drives Like a Porsche

The MINI Superleggera — or, “Minarri” because it’s typically referred to as — is among the most exiting idea automobiles the model has ever been part of. Arguably it’s probably the most thrilling idea automobiles ever because of beautiful proportions and classical styling. Making it much more lust-worthy, MINI even deliberate to build the Superleggera, though that sadly by no means materialized. Extra just lately, a gold-painted hybrid prototype once more captivated imaginations — much more so, maybe, after we observed all of the production-minded modifications all through the automotive. The jury continues to be out on whether or not the automotive will ever present up in seller stock. However, we do have contemporary new insights about how the automobiles drive, because of additional conversations with the design group and engineer Jürgen Greil.

MINI Superleggera: As Enjoyable As It Seems

The MINI Superleggera was an concept nearly seven years within the making and referred to as “a dream come true” by one member of the group who was deeply concerned with the mission. It’s good to know the reward and work wasn’t wasted: the MINI Superleggera was “enjoyable to drive,” because of 58% of the automobile’s weight being over the rear axle. That’s someplace within the realm of Porsche 993 Turbo weight distribution, flirting with 40/60 entrance/rear bias. So, “enjoyable” is perhaps a little bit of an understatement. Below the sheet metallic was a BMW i8 battery with a two-cylinder engine, mounted on the rear axle. Inspiration got here tangentially from Ferrari, and it’s apparently one motive why the BMW i3 is rear-wheel drive.

However the automotive’s stability wasn’t the one motive it’s a blast to drive. Weight is claimed to be round 1,000 kg, or 2,200 kilos. That’s simply shy of what the present Miata weighs. That automotive additionally makes round 180 horsepower, which isn’t a ton, however even when the MINI Superleggera makes across the similar, its huge rear bias would make it an fanatic dream come true. Keep in mind, the MINI Superleggera was initially scheduled as an “i4,” to fit beneath the i8. We’ve additionally since discovered that the thought was to introduce an entire vary of automobiles beneath the i8. So, relatively than simply the 911 and Boxster parallel it might’ve been an entire line from the i3 to the i8.

The MINI Superleggera: Forbidden Enjoyable?

As beforehand talked about, MINI by no means received round to pushing the MINI Superleggera into manufacturing. Sources declare the model had too many variants on the time and wanted to cut back complexity relatively than introduce new variables. Wealthy when you think about the typically overlapping selection within the BMW lineup, however MINI is in spite of everything a separate model. There was a chance of “twinning” the Mini Ferrari with a BMW equal automobile, however sadly nothing ever shook out. Although Herbert Diess, then BMW’s board member for growth, tried to get manufacturing began with Stefan Pierer at KTM, that too fell flat. Sarcastically, the small, enjoyable automotive was reportedly “too massive of a step.”