LA Auto Show - MINI Coupe and Roadster Make a Cute Debut

Cuteness is a quotient that is often overlooked in the automotive media. And MINI puts cute and sporty together like few others can. So, with their success in the U.S. car market, why not make a smaller, cuter version to delight and warm the cockles of our hearts? Whether these cars become production vehicles in the future or not, you can come see them at the Los Angeles Auto show and let out a big, rousing, "Aaawwww!"

Beyond MINI's "minimalist" approach, the two-seater concepts are pretty much chopped versions of MINI John Cooper Works models with squatted rooflines and no back seats. Made to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Mini Cooper, the two models were first unveiled in Frankfurt last September.

At this point, the concepts are only that - conceptual. Even if MINI decides to build them, it will be two to three years before they'll surface.

The coupe sports what some folks are calling a "backwards baseball cap" that snugly forms a low, chopped down roofline. The roadster, though not yet designed with any sort of soft or hard covering, gives you a look inside the car where you'll find no change to the dash from its MINI John Cooper Model sibling. Design Director Gert Hildebrand reportedly called the car a "Pocket Porsche," but it harkens more to an Audi TT to us.

With the lowered greenhouse, the car is 1.4 inches lower than the MINI Cooper, but don't expect to put much luggage inside the car, behind the front seats, you'll find a tiny bit of space and a wall separating you from the trunk.

But who's looking for practicality, when you could have these fun-to-drive, sporty cars with such a high cuteness factor?

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