I do appreciate the design, and I think it would have made waves if they had found a way to export it here.
But it's a half-assed effort for what it is. All the reviews note the same flaws: the interior is too plasticky and the Nissan engine is too anemic to make it a serious sports car. If I recall, one reviewer noted that a MINI S was more lively, but most noted that the Porsche Cayman did the job better and more affordably. It does *look* cool, however, and I did enjoy watching them race at Circuit Paul Ricard.
It's priced like a Porsche 911 but has a 1.8L engine out of a Nissan. It doesn't make any sense.
I like it from a design standpoint, and I like how it maintains it's heritage in a modern era.
But it's a half-assed effort for what it is. All the reviews note the same flaws: the interior is too plasticky and the Nissan engine is too anemic to make it a serious sports car. If I recall, one reviewer noted that a MINI S was more lively, but most noted that the Porsche Cayman did the job better and more affordably. It does *look* cool, however, and I did enjoy watching them race at Circuit Paul Ricard.