No one would ever have thought that BMW would be able to rekindle the magic from the 60’s, and in a way they did not. However, what they did do is bring it up to date and offer drivers fun while feeling safe at the same time – something you did not have with the original. The biggest Mini of them all was the Cooper models, and who would have thought that they are still going strong today?

Autoblog has a host of images of the new model, and we are a little worried that the shape it a little too radical. Having said that, we are sure that the 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe being the fastest stock version will help. When looking at the exterior you know you are looking at a Mini, such as the front and sides. However, it is that roof that looks a little out of place.

Speaking of that front end, you can see how the new Cooper has that aggressive look – maybe they use its looks to scare aware the wind as it slips through the air at faster speeds than any other stock production model? Because the new Coupe is much faster than previous models BMW has included a rear wing that comes down at speed.

Now we do not believe that we are experts in how a car works and the whole issue of downforce. However, we cannot understand why a car would need a wing to push the rear wheels to the road when it is a front-wheel drive? Normally you only do this to a rear-wheel drive car so that it gives the tires better traction.

There will be three 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe variants, the base model, the Cooper S Coupe and finally the John Cooper Works Coupe, all of which will come with a 1.6-liter engine. The entry-level model will produce 121 horsepower and a 0-60mph time of 8.3 seconds and a top speed of 127mph. The S Coupe version can do 0-60mph in just 6.5 seconds and will have a top speed of 144mph, and the JCW hitting 60 in just 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 149mph. Early figures suggest that the standard version will do 44 miles per gallon; this pales in comparison to the MINI Cooper SD Diesel and its 66mpg.

Autoblog learned from BimmerFile that this technology could be used in the Mini Countryman and what is believed to be BMW equivalent. The Mini currently has a 120hp engine, and is expected to keep this. That means that the car will then get a powerboost from the electric motor as well – although not certain how much?

BimmerFile makes a point of the fact that the good return on fuel with the Mini will start to look embarrassing for the company in the coming years, so something has to be done now. They believe that the new powerplant could produce 50mph highway miles, but nothing on what the city miles would be.

On the subject of the Mini, we have learned from Autocar that this next model will get a completely new design. It is said that the Mk3 model will be an even more radical design change than the last. One change that I am glad of will be that overly large speedometer.

What other changes would you like to see?

The Mini Cooper diesel has been testing ready for it’s entrance into showrooms from September 2011. It’s power from the 2.0-litre lump will provide efficiency almost matching the 1.6-litre option, but gains the added bonus of a smoother more powerful delivery. Providing more torque it should keep a sporty feel that is expected from the Cooper brand.

Obviously the use of a current engine will be more cost-effective for BMW, cutting down on the development outlay. There is always the possibility that the U.S. will receive the new model, and hopefully we will get some more definite details on the forth coming Mini diesel and pass them on to you. Until then head over to Eurocarblog for pictures of the new Mini out testing.

These images were the same ones sent to the European patent office – the vehicles themselves should enter production sometime in 2011. Looking at the images, there seems to be no major changes to the concept designs that we have already seen. Visit Autoblog and let us know if you are happy with the decision not to change anything.

The only changes that we see are to the fenders, front fascias, side skirts and windshields – we just wish that BMW would do something about the rear of the car, it looks as though two people from different decades designed it and then met up for a drink one day.

We will have to wait a while until we get a chance to see some shots of the interior, let us hope that they offer more excitement than the exterior.