MINI Superleggera Patent Images Hint at Production Plans
MINI executives might have given the green light to produce a real world version of the Superleggera concept car.
Patent drawings the company filed show what looks like a production version of the concept car first shown at the Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance earlier this year. If it is on the way to beign built, it could serve as a replacement in the company’s lineup to the cancelled Roadster, acting as a halo car for the brand and a competitor to the next Mazda MX-5.
The car seems to be staying stylistically similar to its concept preview with minimal changes that include different headlights, a framed windshield and larger mirrors.
Don’t expect the production car to use the same electric powertrain as the concept car. Instead it will draw power from the same range of three- and four-cylinder engines as the rest of the current MINI lineup. There could also be a range-topping John Cooper Works model that will probably make 228 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque like the new JCW model that the company just announced.
GALLERY: MINI Superleggera Patent Drawings
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Luke is an energetic automotive journalist who spends his time covering industry news and crawling the internet for the latest breaking story. When he isn't in the office, Luke can be found obsessively browsing used car listings, drinking scotch at his favorite bar and dreaming of what to drive next, though the list grows a lot faster than his bank account. He's always on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> looking for a good car conversation. Find Luke on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> and <A title="Luke on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/112531385961538774338?rel=author">Google+</A>.
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With the body crease, it looks suspiciously like a BMW designer got ahold of it.