Quote:
Originally posted by dd74
Mini will probably come out with AWD soon and 200+ horsepower. If it's light (which it probably won't be - that's probably up to the owner), I bet it'll be a contender to the Elise, but for about 20K less. 
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Not likely, IMO. The current Cooper S weighs almost 2700 lbs as it is and has a 0-60 time more than two seconds slower than the US spec Elise. Tack on hypothetical AWD and I'd count on at least a couple hundred more pounds, (and a price likely north of $30K) resulting in a car that would then be almost 50% heavier than the Elise. Not sure how an owner is going to shed that extra 1,000 lbs...outside of tossing those stylish Mini cupholders.
As much as I admire the Cooper S, it seems to be apples/oranges in terms of both intent and execution when compared to the Lotus.
Tim