The first thing that came to my mind was new Ford T-Bird. Speaking of the new Jags, that latest model being advertised on the tele is one hot looking car! 

I can see Hyacinth's hairdresser driving one.  Maybe even Hyacinth herself, if she were younger, trendy or fashionable.    (Wrote that for Dan's benefit and in memory of NJ)

Eh, it's just like marketing beer or toilet paper.... Create something a bit different, but serving the same function, and folks will line up to buy it.....

you have think BMW is tying for modern day porsche 356 speedser .. ??

Actually, I like it. I could do without the grille foglamps though.

If you think of MINI as a brand, not a model, then differently styled models have to come out. The basic Mini theme can't be recycled indefinitely, which is where I object to most of the MINI offshoots (trying to apply the classic Mini theme to an SUV, for example.)

They do need to capture what is essential about Mini for MINI - IMHO, small, light, very fun to drive, economical to operate. I wish cheap was on the docket too, but since it's a botique brand, probably not.

To sustain that, they have to come up with some new styling themes or run into the hardening of the arteries problem Jaguar had from 1980-2004 (the new cars kept recycling themes from previous models instead of blazing new paths like they did in the past) and how I see current retro-futuristic styling headed (so what do you do for a new Mustang or Camaro or Challenger?)

Looks Audi TT ish and that goofy Jag D type rear fin does nothing for it.

Is that a new car or did someone overinflate a Miata?

You know, I wouldn't care as much if the brand name wasn't "MINI." 

Honestly, there is nothing "mini" about their latest swollen SUV-sized offerings. 

I'd buy one of those before the hulking ugly 4-door Mini-Burbans they're making. Not that I'd ever buy either one. 

Photo submitted without comment.*

For the rest of the "story" go here:
//www.mini.com/superleggera/

*-Only because Dennis can't give us a decent roll-eyes.