MINI seems to want to stick its fingers into every part of the automotive pie. Not merely content with bringing back the classic hatchback, the iconic brand has added an estate, crossover, and now a sports coupe variant in its line-up.

The coupe, called the, erm, Coupe, is arguably the sportiest MINI model by far. MINI claims that the Coupe will be a true enthusiast sports car, instead of merely being a good-looking accessory.

With MINI's well-renowned handling set-up, and a 1.6-litre turbocharged Cooper S engine, the Coupe looks to have all the ingredients for a perfect two-seater sports car. But can it deliver on that front?

Exterior

The most striking design element of the new MINI Coupe is the roof, or "reverse baseball cap" as some have derided. Some say that the squashed look makes the car look like it has been sat on, giving it an odd, lowered profile.

In truth, it doesn't look all that bad in the metal. Perhaps colour combination might play a part. In our test car's shade of blue with a black roof, the effect is not as distinctive as would, say, a yellow car with bright red roof.

The Coupe is also the first MINI with a three-box shape, although calling the stubby rear end a 'box' is a bit of a stretch. It's more like two-and-a-half, with its sloping rear tailgate leading onto a short rear overhang.

The small boot lid hides a rear spoiler, which pops up once you hit 90km/h. While it obviously has its uses, in the local context, it's akin to having a speed warning device of your own, proclaiming to all around you that "Hey, I'm breaking the speed limit!" Not cool.

But otherwise, the design of the MINI Coupe can only be described as unique. Whether you love it or hate it, you can't deny that it certainly grabs your attention.

Interior

The interior is still the same MINI as all the others in the range, with its large central speedometer, and well-placed controls. As befits its German ownership, the Coupe is solid and well-built, with top quality materials being used throughout.

The Coupe differentiates itself from its family siblings inside by being slightly more customisable, with a whole host of colours available for the customer's choosing, applicable in places like the dashboard and door trimmings. Our test car had a more sedate aluminium trim, but it's nice to know you can add colour to your MINI Coupe experience inside.

But, being a sports car, there's just something a tiny bit different from the others. For one, the driving position is superb, enhanced a little perhaps by the slightly more raked front windscreen.

Look backwards, however, and things don't seem so great. The roofline results in a very narrow rear windscreen, limiting rearwards vision. It's not so bad that it makes reversing difficult, due to the car's compact size, but it's still a bit unsettling.

The Coupe is a strict two-seater, which makes it perfect for singles or couples without kids. Given the impracticality of the MINI Hatchback's rear seats, going just two up for the Coupe is probably for the best.

The removal of the rear bench also means that the Coupe has a sizeable boot advantage over the Hatchback as well. At 280 litres, the Coupe can accommodate more than enough shopping for two people, with some room to spare.

The Drive

If the Coupe is to live up to its sporting pretensions, it should possess the same qualities that made the MINI Hatchback such a driver's car, and then some.

And in that respect, it succeeds. The Coupe is as lively and agile as you would expect from a MINI, with its well-weighted steering reacting instinctively to your every input, letting you know that this car means serious business. It provides for a raw, visceral feel that can only be characterised by a MINI.

In Cooper S form, the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine provides for just enough go to make this a nifty little pocket rocket. Acceleration off the line is eager, but somehow, at the top end, you just get the feeling that it yearns for more. Perhaps the John Cooper Works edition might satiate this little tyke's appetite for speed.

Overall refinement is decent, though the engine noise and vibration could definitely be better. Ride quality is firm, as you would expect from a performance-biased car, but it's not overly uncomfortable, and is truly liveable on a day-to-day basis. The brakes are excellent, stopping the car sharply and with good bite.

Conclusion

You have to wonder, with MINI's dynamic qualities, why has it taken them so long to come up with a true driver's sports car?

Well, the wait has been worthwhile, and the Coupe has now taken MINI's vibrant energy, and translated it into a car that can truly satisfy those of a sporty persuasion.

The MINI Coupe is a credible effort as a sports car, purely from an enthusiast point of view, and on this form, we can expect even more excitement from the MINI brand ahead.

What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.

MINI seems to want to stick its fingers into every part of the automotive pie. Not merely content with bringing back the classic hatchback, the iconic brand has added an estate, crossover, and now a sports coupe variant in its line-up.

The coupe, called the, erm, Coupe, is arguably the sportiest MINI model by far. MINI claims that the Coupe will be a true enthusiast sports car, instead of merely being a good-looking accessory.

With MINI's well-renowned handling set-up, and a 1.6-litre turbocharged Cooper S engine, the Coupe looks to have all the ingredients for a perfect two-seater sports car. But can it deliver on that front?

Exterior

The most striking design element of the new MINI Coupe is the roof, or "reverse baseball cap" as some have derided. Some say that the squashed look makes the car look like it has been sat on, giving it an odd, lowered profile.

In truth, it doesn't look all that bad in the metal. Perhaps colour combination might play a part. In our test car's shade of blue with a black roof, the effect is not as distinctive as would, say, a yellow car with bright red roof.

The Coupe is also the first MINI with a three-box shape, although calling the stubby rear end a 'box' is a bit of a stretch. It's more like two-and-a-half, with its sloping rear tailgate leading onto a short rear overhang.

The small boot lid hides a rear spoiler, which pops up once you hit 90km/h. While it obviously has its uses, in the local context, it's akin to having a speed warning device of your own, proclaiming to all around you that "Hey, I'm breaking the speed limit!" Not cool.

But otherwise, the design of the MINI Coupe can only be described as unique. Whether you love it or hate it, you can't deny that it certainly grabs your attention.

Interior

The interior is still the same MINI as all the others in the range, with its large central speedometer, and well-placed controls. As befits its German ownership, the Coupe is solid and well-built, with top quality materials being used throughout.

The Coupe differentiates itself from its family siblings inside by being slightly more customisable, with a whole host of colours available for the customer's choosing, applicable in places like the dashboard and door trimmings. Our test car had a more sedate aluminium trim, but it's nice to know you can add colour to your MINI Coupe experience inside.

But, being a sports car, there's just something a tiny bit different from the others. For one, the driving position is superb, enhanced a little perhaps by the slightly more raked front windscreen.

Look backwards, however, and things don't seem so great. The roofline results in a very narrow rear windscreen, limiting rearwards vision. It's not so bad that it makes reversing difficult, due to the car's compact size, but it's still a bit unsettling.

The Coupe is a strict two-seater, which makes it perfect for singles or couples without kids. Given the impracticality of the MINI Hatchback's rear seats, going just two up for the Coupe is probably for the best.

The removal of the rear bench also means that the Coupe has a sizeable boot advantage over the Hatchback as well. At 280 litres, the Coupe can accommodate more than enough shopping for two people, with some room to spare.

The Drive

If the Coupe is to live up to its sporting pretensions, it should possess the same qualities that made the MINI Hatchback such a driver's car, and then some.

And in that respect, it succeeds. The Coupe is as lively and agile as you would expect from a MINI, with its well-weighted steering reacting instinctively to your every input, letting you know that this car means serious business. It provides for a raw, visceral feel that can only be characterised by a MINI.

In Cooper S form, the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine provides for just enough go to make this a nifty little pocket rocket. Acceleration off the line is eager, but somehow, at the top end, you just get the feeling that it yearns for more. Perhaps the John Cooper Works edition might satiate this little tyke's appetite for speed.

Overall refinement is decent, though the engine noise and vibration could definitely be better. Ride quality is firm, as you would expect from a performance-biased car, but it's not overly uncomfortable, and is truly liveable on a day-to-day basis. The brakes are excellent, stopping the car sharply and with good bite.

Conclusion

You have to wonder, with MINI's dynamic qualities, why has it taken them so long to come up with a true driver's sports car?

Well, the wait has been worthwhile, and the Coupe has now taken MINI's vibrant energy, and translated it into a car that can truly satisfy those of a sporty persuasion.

The MINI Coupe is a credible effort as a sports car, purely from an enthusiast point of view, and on this form, we can expect even more excitement from the MINI brand ahead.

What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.