Comments on: The MINI Concepts of the 1990's http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/27/the_mini_concepts_of_the_1990s/ MotoringFile | MINI news, reviews and opinion. MINI Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: MotoringFile » Archive » MINI’s Micro Car Plans Come into Focus http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/27/the_mini_concepts_of_the_1990s/comment-page-1/#comment-255728 MotoringFile » Archive » MINI’s Micro Car Plans Come into Focus Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:39:16 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/27/#comment-255728 <p>[...] engines will be placed in the center or rear of the car for maximum space efficiency. Much like the mid 90’s Mini Spiritual concepts (created by Rover and designed by Oliver Le Grice before BMW went in the direction of the current [...]</p> [...] engines will be placed in the center or rear of the car for maximum space efficiency. Much like the mid 90’s Mini Spiritual concepts (created by Rover and designed by Oliver Le Grice before BMW went in the direction of the current [...]

]]> By: David M http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/27/the_mini_concepts_of_the_1990s/comment-page-1/#comment-7652 David M Tue, 04 Oct 2005 12:24:09 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/27/#comment-7652 <p>I am looking for a 1995 Mini Engine. I am in Japan, On Okinawa actually and have the oportunity to pick up a 95 at a very good price. problem is the previous owner did not know that it required OIL. Any recommendations on how to get an engine or parts of the block and pistons would be appreciated. Dave</p> I am looking for a 1995 Mini Engine. I am in Japan, On Okinawa actually and have the oportunity to pick up a 95 at a very good price. problem is the previous owner did not know that it required OIL. Any recommendations on how to get an engine or parts of the block and pistons would be appreciated. Dave

]]> By: Graham Robson http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/27/the_mini_concepts_of_the_1990s/comment-page-1/#comment-7651 Graham Robson Wed, 17 Aug 2005 11:39:15 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/27/#comment-7651 <p>You might like to know that a fully revised/updated of my NEW MINI book appeared in the spring of 2005 - including all Cooper S, Convertible and modern John Cooper Works derivatives.</p> You might like to know that a fully revised/updated of my NEW MINI book appeared in the spring of 2005 – including all Cooper S, Convertible and modern John Cooper Works derivatives.

]]> By: Pete http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/27/the_mini_concepts_of_the_1990s/comment-page-1/#comment-7650 Pete Mon, 28 Jun 2004 07:21:49 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/27/#comment-7650 <p>whoa, they all look stupid! :-( thank goodness they never used those concepts for real,the acv30 isnt bad from the side, but it looks too much like the original from the front, not bad, but not much like a mini, i love my 04' jcw s, its great, hmm, i wonder if the acv30 perhaps, had a bigger engine?</p> whoa, they all look stupid! :-( thank goodness they never used those concepts for real,the acv30 isnt bad from the side, but it looks too much like the original from the front, not bad, but not much like a mini, i love my 04' jcw s, its great, hmm, i wonder if the acv30 perhaps, had a bigger engine?

]]> By: Al http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/27/the_mini_concepts_of_the_1990s/comment-page-1/#comment-7649 Al Mon, 28 Jun 2004 06:01:53 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/27/#comment-7649 <p>Actually, I kinda like the design of the ACV30. I would have bought that just as readily as I did my '04 MCS.</p> Actually, I kinda like the design of the ACV30. I would have bought that just as readily as I did my '04 MCS.

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/27/the_mini_concepts_of_the_1990s/comment-page-1/#comment-7648 Gabe Mon, 28 Jun 2004 02:45:53 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/27/#comment-7648 <p>As always Rob - well said. I think Frank Stephenson (and the other designers on the team) did a fantastic job of creating a design that looked as if it had evolved from the original. They created a design that was successful in many of the same ways the original Mini was yet had a modern look about it. Granted it wasn't as a revolutionary concept in terms of mechanicals but hey - there are only so many of those to be had :)</p> As always Rob – well said. I think Frank Stephenson (and the other designers on the team) did a fantastic job of creating a design that looked as if it had evolved from the original. They created a design that was successful in many of the same ways the original Mini was yet had a modern look about it. Granted it wasn't as a revolutionary concept in terms of mechanicals but hey – there are only so many of those to be had :)

]]> By: Vanwall http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/27/the_mini_concepts_of_the_1990s/comment-page-1/#comment-7647 Vanwall Mon, 28 Jun 2004 02:17:52 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/27/#comment-7647 <p>I remember seeing the trade news articles when the Spirituals were unveiled, in fact there was some buzz even B4 that, and none of the independent views were positive. These were most definitely not ground breaking or particularly clever, IMHO, and looked much like any number of other design studies from other manufacturers and studios from that period that were stillborn as well. They didn't appeal as a continuation of the "Mini" product line as was then in production - they were too far outside the niche market for the Mini. </p> <p>The flat motor under the seats wasn't new either - VW had a whole series of cars planned around something similar twenty years or so B4, and there was a minor revolt at the top there that led to a wholesale switch to FWD, and scrapping (literaly!) of the design studies and all existing prototypes. Perhaps the BMW executives realized the folly of radical design changes for the Mini was making them go down the wrong road. Or maybe they remembered the VW lesson. </p> <p>Let's face it - Stephenson's MINI is a brilliant interpretation of the fundamental Issigonis breakthrough. The BMW design group he led must have realized the SHAPE was the thing, the mechanicals were irrelevant to the concept, and could be engineered from the inside out to whatever level of performance was desired, while leaving the iconic Mini look. </p> <p>The ACV 30 I always viewed as a Hard-topped Frog-eye thingamajig, and while it kinda looked Mini influenced, I couldn't quite squint m'eye enough to see a Mini there. Bulbous Bouffant, as far as I'm concerned, but eh, whatever - it wasn't going to be the new Mini either, and I knew that as soon as I saw a pic of it. Thank God BMW made the right choice. </p> <p><pre><code> BCNU, Rob in Dago </code></pre></p> I remember seeing the trade news articles when the Spirituals were unveiled, in fact there was some buzz even B4 that, and none of the independent views were positive. These were most definitely not ground breaking or particularly clever, IMHO, and looked much like any number of other design studies from other manufacturers and studios from that period that were stillborn as well. They didn't appeal as a continuation of the “Mini” product line as was then in production – they were too far outside the niche market for the Mini.

The flat motor under the seats wasn't new either – VW had a whole series of cars planned around something similar twenty years or so B4, and there was a minor revolt at the top there that led to a wholesale switch to FWD, and scrapping (literaly!) of the design studies and all existing prototypes. Perhaps the BMW executives realized the folly of radical design changes for the Mini was making them go down the wrong road. Or maybe they remembered the VW lesson.

Let's face it – Stephenson's MINI is a brilliant interpretation of the fundamental Issigonis breakthrough. The BMW design group he led must have realized the SHAPE was the thing, the mechanicals were irrelevant to the concept, and could be engineered from the inside out to whatever level of performance was desired, while leaving the iconic Mini look.

The ACV 30 I always viewed as a Hard-topped Frog-eye thingamajig, and while it kinda looked Mini influenced, I couldn't quite squint m'eye enough to see a Mini there. Bulbous Bouffant, as far as I'm concerned, but eh, whatever – it wasn't going to be the new Mini either, and I knew that as soon as I saw a pic of it. Thank God BMW made the right choice. 

      BCNU,
     Rob in Dago

]]> By: DoubleNick http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/27/the_mini_concepts_of_the_1990s/comment-page-1/#comment-7646 DoubleNick Sun, 27 Jun 2004 21:20:48 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/27/#comment-7646 <p>Gabe,thanks for the info. I just ordered the book. Please continue your great service.</p> Gabe,thanks for the info. I just ordered the book. Please continue your great service.

]]> By: Nick http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/27/the_mini_concepts_of_the_1990s/comment-page-1/#comment-7645 Nick Sun, 27 Jun 2004 20:41:52 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/27/#comment-7645 <p>I wonder if anyone has tried to design a 90's Mini with todays MINI interior. It would be quite interesting.</p> I wonder if anyone has tried to design a 90's Mini with todays MINI interior. It would be quite interesting.

]]> By: James http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/27/the_mini_concepts_of_the_1990s/comment-page-1/#comment-7644 James Sun, 27 Jun 2004 17:59:31 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/27/#comment-7644 <p>I like the two Spiritual cars, not as a replacement for the classic Mini, but they might be fine additions now to the MINI brand.</p> I like the two Spiritual cars, not as a replacement for the classic Mini, but they might be fine additions now to the MINI brand.

]]> By: RB http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/27/the_mini_concepts_of_the_1990s/comment-page-1/#comment-7643 RB Sun, 27 Jun 2004 17:05:25 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/27/#comment-7643 <p>Like wise with me and this site.</p> <p>Never would have bought that thing! Looks like something that Fiat would design...like their MultiPla van, shown here...</p> <p>www.tiscali.co.uk/motoring/roadtests/roadtest<em>241</em>1.html...RB</p> Like wise with me and this site.

Never would have bought that thing! Looks like something that Fiat would design…like their MultiPla van, shown here…

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/motoring/roadtests/roadtest2411.html…RB

]]> By: David http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/06/27/the_mini_concepts_of_the_1990s/comment-page-1/#comment-7642 David Sun, 27 Jun 2004 14:49:09 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/06/27/#comment-7642 <p>Great read!<br /> I just bought a 2005 Cooper and have been devouring information on this car. I stop at motoringfile.com everyday to see what Gabe has posted. A great site and I appreciate the attention to design details.. just like the MINI. </p> <p>Keep up the great work!</p> <p>Dave</p> Great read!
I just bought a 2005 Cooper and have been devouring information on this car. I stop at motoringfile.com everyday to see what Gabe has posted. A great site and I appreciate the attention to design details.. just like the MINI.

Keep up the great work!

Dave

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