Known internally as the Mini-Z, the small coupe will use the Juke crossover's platform, a source close to the situation told Motor Trend. Power will come from the Juke's 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, while all-wheel-drive (based on the Juke's system) with torque-vectoring could be an option to help the car better match up against the rear-drive FR-S/BRZ twins.
Notably, the project is a joint Japan-China effort, with Japan doing the heavy lifting in terms of development and China handling design and data assembly. China will be the car's main market, and it will also be offered in Japan and Europe. A decision on U.S. availability has not yet been made.
Development on the Mini-Z is well under way, with a launch possible as soon as late 2013. Look for a base price of under $22,000.
