Report: Mini Greenlights the Superleggera For Production

Mini Superleggera Concept (Credit: Mini)

The sad truth is that Mini has stagnated lately. After all, how many crazy versions of one model can the brand produce? And don’t even mention how non-mini they all are.

Those problems could be alleviated at least a little if a new report from British magazine CAR is correct. The publication says that the Mini Superleggera is actually going to market. When the concept was unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2014, it wowed the world with its sweeping lines, clean design and overall great looks. On top of that, it’s a great tribute to classic British roadsters (sorry Mazda MX-5) even though Mini says it mixed in a lot of Italian body design and modern elements. It’s even a truly small vehicle, living up to the brand’s name.

In other words, the Superleggera is nothing like the rest of the Mini lineup. And it’s exactly what the doctor ordered.

Mini Superleggera Concept (Credit: Mini)

Right now we only have the concept vehicle to base the production model from. Certainly some of the crazier features won’t make their way to the market. It hopefully won’t have the same busy design fo the current crop of Minis, complete with Union Jack mirror caps, hood stripes, a ton of unnecessary grille lights, etc. It’s a back-to-basics car that’s all about grace instead of cheeky gimmicks.

One of the big items of speculation is the powertrain. Most agree that the car will at least come with a gasoline-electric hybrid setup, but there’s a strong possibility that the car will use a pure-electric scheme, adding to its drama and allure.

The Mini Superleggera would also mean that there’d be one more sports car in an automotive market that’s becoming overcrowded with crossover vehicles, including subcompact models that are being billed as quasi-sports cars.

Stay tuned for more details as they surface.

Mini Superleggera Concept (Credit: Mini)