Mini chief Peter Schwarzenbauer at the L.A. Auto Show debut of the CitySurfer and Superleggera concepts.
Mini’s latest edition to the line-up, the Hardtop four-door, helped generate an 38.9% increase in sales for the first two months of 2015; however, they expect the next addition will also add a big spark to the brand: the Superleggera Vision is coming.
The two-seat convertible concept has been kicking around the auto show circuit for nearly two years now with officials kicking the can down the road each time they’ve been asked about it.
It was shown in the U.S. at both the Los Angeles and Detroit auto shows in January; however, it’s unknown if the new convertible will even find its way to the U.S. However, it would seem for it to make sense, in terms of production numbers, the U.S. market would be necessary where it could provide some competition for the Mazda Miata M5.
According to media reports, the new ragtop will ride on the third-generation Mini platform, but there are few changes from the concept’s exterior styling.
The concept uses an electric motor, but it’s likely to be fitted with one of Mini’s current powerplants: a 1.5-liter three-cylinder or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, perhaps even both.
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Mini had a rough go in the U.S. last year as it struggled to get it’s new products into dealerships. Officials told TheDetroitBureau.com during the Detroit Auto Show that sales were down more than 30% during the first six months of 2014, but that by year’s end, the they made up enough sales to cut that number in half: 15.6% to 56,112 units compared with 66,502 units in 2013.
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However, they are expecting a big rebound in 2015 as the new four-door has been introduced, plus it has a new John Cooper Works edition and is taking advantage of the growth of the compact luxury segment with its new Countryman Park Lane.
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“I would expect 2015 would be our best year ever in the U.S.,” said David Duncan, vice president Mini of the Americas.