These conversant in BMW are probably conscious of a few of the wild ideas the model has delivered to life over time. However MINI’s been with BMW some time now, and sometimes, a few of the novelty spills over. Among the best examples? The wild “MINI Ferrari,” or as you would possibly understand it, the MINI Superleggera. The open-top two-seater seems like nothing else from the model — and it virtually made it onto a manufacturing line. Due to Steve Saxty’s BMW books, we have now extra perception than ever into what it took to make the roadster spring off the web page and into actuality.
Origins of the MINI Superleggera
In 2006, Anders Warming, then BMW Group’s artistic lead, had a brainwave. Now just a few years after the BMW Z8 got here to market, he thought it could be a good suggestion to point out the smaller model some love and produce a automotive with comparable halo energy sporting a MINI badge. It didn’t occur till practically a decade later, however the “MINI Ferrari,” as Anders envisioned it, would finally see the sunshine of day. Humorous sufficient, it could in some methods find yourself sharing extra with BMW’s electrical choices than the Z8.
For Ville d’Este 2014, Adrian van Hooydonk reached out to Touring Superleggera. BMW teamed up with the Milanese coachbuilder up to now to develop the 328 Touring Coupe. It wasn’t onerous to persuade van Hooydonk to do the MINI Ferrari undertaking. “We do the Minarri — think about that with all of the Dusenbergs,” Warning mentioned. Contemplating many of the level of Ville d’Este was telling distinctive automotive tales, van Hooydonk went for it. It was the proper alternative to convey to life a separate undertaking, at the moment dubbed the i4. Whereas not precisely the electrified 4 Collection we all know at present, it was an EV — sans roof and sporting roadster strains. Why the “i4” badge? The automotive’s design was initially supposed to parallel the connection between the Porsche 911 and Boxster. Besides, on this case, the i8 takes the place of the 911.
Finally, the MINI Superleggera ended up leaning closely on current MINI design language. Working aspect by aspect, MINI and Touring Superleggera developed the idea, retaining model hallmarks just like the hexagonal grille. It even used F56 headlights and Union Jack taillights, the latter which later debuted in manufacturing MINIs. Shockingly, it even retained the electrical powertrain that its predecessor touted.
Why MINI Superleggera By no means Made It
MINI initially planned to build the Superleggera. BMW had even constructed a second automotive, presuming every little thing was greenlit. However it by no means occurred. However BMW was severe in regards to the automotive, even probing motorbike producers to see if a low-volume run was doable. Sadly, all of it fell to the wayside. At this time, BMW’s electrical choices are far more streamlined — they’d virtually zero electrification when the Superleggera debuted — which was allegedly a few of the cause the MINI Superleggera by no means got here to fruition. A crowded lineup with too many fashions meant no room for the Superleggera. So…possibly we have now a greater shot at present?
Quotes and a few info for this story got here from BMW by Design, which we at all times advocate choosing up. Inside, you’ll discover tales like these in much more element. Even higher, you’ll take pleasure in photos you may’t discover wherever else. Go get yours!
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