It’s 50 years ago today that the Mini, the groundbreaking car designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, was launched onto an unsuspecting public and now current Mini owner, BMW, has come up with a birthday present, the Mini Coupe Concept.

The concept will be shown to the automotive world in the metal at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, but Mini has released pictures of the Coupe Concept today to mark the date in 1959 when the original Mini was launched.

The company says the Mini Coupe Concept is an expression of Mini design and the great ability of the brand’s designers to fill the elementary values of the brand with new life, using the options of modern drivetrain and suspension technology.

It also says the Coupe Concept develops fascinating perspectives for the future of the Mini brand.

Hinting that this could be more than just a flight of fantasy Mini says the “uncompromisingly sporting two seater” presents an unusually attractive vision of how the model family may well develop.

Mini says the Coupe Concept represents the ideal of a car destined in every respect to offer a thrilling experience and make every journey a truly unique thrill.

Mini says that the current model range already meets a variety of demands from owners but the Coupe Concept brings driving pleasure to its most concentrated form, with extreme lightweight technology making this two-seater particularly agile and unusually efficient.

The low roofline, the precisely defined spoiler edge at the rear and other aerodynamic features enhance the cars performance to an even higher standard.

The two-seater is designed to accommodate even the most powerful engine currently available in the Mini, the 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged unit from the Mini John Cooper Works.

This engine produces 155kW and 260Nm, with an overboost potential of 280Nm, which can only be described as supreme performance for such a compact vehicle.

Inside the car is recognisably Mini but with a standard of finish and equipment that takes the Mini to another level.

The Mini Coupe Concept has the typical rev counter mounted behind the steering wheel and the large central instrument panel that evokes the original Mini of 50 years ago.

However, two Chronoswiss clocks are mounted each side of the rev counter providing a close link to earlier concept cars and bridging the gap between the analogue and digital ages.

One clock is a purpose built stopwatch for taking lap times and the other shows the time in classic style.

Mini says the Coupe Concept addresses motorists thrilled by that unique combination of driving pleasure, lifestyle and premium quality, who are also looking for sporting driving qualities of the highest standard.