More Body Styles for the Next Gen MINI?

CooperSAZ Aug 21st, 2005 Link

Interesting article…

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Jason Aug 21st, 2005 Link

Thanks for the info (and the great site for that matter, I’ve never posted here but have been reading for a while and you do a fine job, Gabe). I have a suggestion – How about using some _blank targets for those links? This way we can pop up a new window for the external articles, etc., without having to leave MF!

Take care and keep up the fine work // Jason

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Gabe Aug 21st, 2005 Link

I have a suggestion – How about using some _blank targets for those links? This way we can pop up a new window for the external articles, etc., without having to leave MF!

Thanks for the suggestion Jason. Actually we prefer to allow the reader to choose themselves how to open links. For instance if you’re using Safari or Firefox you can open link within new tabs by holding control + clicking (apple + clicking on the Mac). This allows the reader to not be bothered by multiple windows littering their screens.

Of course if you’re still running IE you can’t do this. But then again… who would still be running IE ;-)

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Roger Aug 21st, 2005 Link

Hmmm. Didn’t realize that MINI was going diesel.

“The biggest mechanical changes will be new engines: BMW diesels made in England rather than Brazil, and Peugeot diesels in place of Toyota motors used at present.”

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Jono Aug 21st, 2005 Link

It’s not that MINI is going diesel, they are all ready available all over, minus the US. Gabe can fill you in with all the appropriate details, or you can browse the motoringfile archives!

Cheers

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Cruzin Chris Aug 21st, 2005 Link

In addition, there will be a new short-wheelbase roadster derivative, which will have a removable hardtop in place of the cabrio’s canvas roof.

After I pay off my ‘04 MCS, I will buy the roadster MINI!!!

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Randolph Lee Aug 21st, 2005 Link

Autoblog reported this edmunds piece but included a photo/photoshop? of the clubman that I do not recall seeing before… but doubtless Gabe has it here somewhere interesting that it is in the defunct yellow color though http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000770055269/

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Dale Aug 21st, 2005 Link

Thanks for the suggestion Jason. Actually we prefer to allow the reader to choose themselves how to open links. For instance if you’re using Safari or Firefox you can open link within new tabs by holding control + clicking (apple + clicking on the Mac). This allows the reader to not be bothered by multiple windows littering their screens. Of course if you’re still running IE you can’t do this. But then again… who would still be running IE ;-)

FWIW, I remember Shift+Click opens in a new window using IE.

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Gabe Aug 21st, 2005 Link

Autoblog reported this edmunds piece but included a photo/photoshop? of the clubman that I do not recall seeing before… but doubtless Gabe has it here somewhere

Good eye Randolph! It looks as if Autoblog stole an image from an old AutExpress artcle:

[ The New MINI Clubman ] MotoringFile

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Nathaniel Salzman Aug 21st, 2005 Link

Gabe, I was wondering if you’ve heard any further rumors or otherwise about a diesel MINI in the U.S. market. VW has seen a measure of success with their TDI motors and with gas prices being what they are, the efficiency of a diesel could be very attractive – in addition to some nice diesel torque. Any readers out there driven a diesel-powered MINI? Any perspectives?

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Ralph Aug 21st, 2005 Link

The February 16th 2005 issue of The German Magazine “Auto, Motor und Sport” had 4 artist renditions (color pictures) of the new Minis, the “Mini Traveller”, (4 passenger doors with van split twin back doors), The MINI pickup, The MINI Roadster and the MINI MK.II (Regular Coupe.).

Unfortunately they only have a picture of the MINI MK. II on their website. The other pictures were only in the Magazine edition (which I have).

If you can read German maybe someone will want to read the article. I’ll post the link to the website (and article).

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/d/76535

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Gabe Aug 21st, 2005 Link

Gabe, I was wondering if you’ve heard any further rumors or otherwise about a diesel MINI in the U.S. market.

Actually I talked with a MINI exec about this a few weeks ago. The main issue with the current MINI diesel in the US is the output of a specific chemical (for the life of me I can’t remember which one) and the low tolerances for such discharges in some states – notably California.

However he did mention that as soon as the issue is overcome (potentially with a new engine?) that they would seriously look at bringing the MINI diesel to the US.

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Jono Aug 21st, 2005 Link

Does it not also have to do with the fact that our(American) diesel is not as clean as eurodiesel? I seem to remember an article in wired about that a few years back… Imagine a french fry oil powered MCD!

Cheers

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Ian Aug 21st, 2005 Link

Yes, too much sulfur/sulphur in US diesel, but that is supposed to be improving in the coming years …

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Nathaniel Salzman Aug 21st, 2005 Link

I know plenty of folks here in Nebraska would love to see another vehicle that would possibly run soy-diesel.

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Jason Aug 21st, 2005 Link

I should have assumed you would have taken the external link situation into consideration but thought it couldn’t hurt to suggest. I suppose my counter argument to what you’ve said is that the majorty of the average web users out there aren’t aware of using keyboard shortcuts for the functionality you’ve described – but then again, those of us obsessed with Minis probably aren’t your average web user ;)

Cheers.

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Gabe Aug 21st, 2005 Link

Does it not also have to do with the fact that our(American) diesel is not as clean as eurodiesel?

Surprsingly no. US diesel will soon be cleaner than Euro fuel due to new standards. The bigger issue is actually particulate emmissions and the ultra low standards imposed by a few US states.

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Greg W Aug 22nd, 2005 Link

Yes, you folks in the USA miss out on not only the MINI diesel but also the basic Mini One model. Why? Because MINI USA calls the shots about what you folks can buy. MINI Cooper and S are premium sports models and target a different demographic group. The same reason BMW USA doesn’t have a 4 cylinder 3 series or the 1 series in your marketplace. So what makes you think you will get the other derivites when they come on stream? If you want to sell more cars to a wider band of age groupings why not let the people decide what they want to buy – by voting with your checkbooks. Not everybody wants the “Cooper” tag and would be just as happy with a Mini One to customise and tune. My understanding is that you can make a car run on just about anything – water, soya bean oil to name a few.

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Ian F Aug 22nd, 2005 Link

Of course if you’re still running IE you can’t do this. But then again… who would still be running IE

…those of us at work with locked systems and have no choice… ;-)

A 5-door Clubman with a diesel would be an interesting car to see.

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Brian H Aug 22nd, 2005 Link

“If you want to sell more cars to a wider band of age groupings why not let the people decide what they want to buy – by voting with your checkbooks.”

I can speak to this. The reason the US Market doesn’t have the One or the 4-cylinder BMW is because it impacts the sales of the other models and tarnishes the image of BMW in the US Market.

By this I mean, for example. The 318ti that BMW brought out years ago as a “low price Bimmer” to attract that younger market actually hurt the brand image of BMW as a luxury car marque. Making a low-buck car in the US market for a “high price” car line affects the overall brand image.

I know I know.. some will scream foul to this but it is true. Ask Cadillac about the Catera.

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David Aug 22nd, 2005 Link

In case you all don’t know, Audi has brought out the A3 in the U.S. A low-priced five-door hatch. I was seriously considering it, too (If someone had put a gun to my head and said I could not get my MCS). So BMW could go ahead and bring us the 1 series. I’d buy the diesel 120 in a New York minute!

Point is, I think the luxo brands are willing to try the low-priced offerings again.

With the new line of engines, the 115, 140 and 170 hp engines, MINI could call the 115 the One, the 140 the Cooper and the 170 the Cooper S. It might work.

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Ralph Aug 22nd, 2005 Link

Yes, you folks in the USA miss out on not only the MINI diesel but also the basic Mini One model. Why? Because MINI USA calls the shots about what you folks can buy. MINI Cooper and S are premium sports models and target a different demographic group. The same reason BMW USA doesn’t have a 4 cylinder 3 series or the 1 series in your marketplace.

I also believe MINI has a Mini One in England and other European Countries (and not in the USA) has to do with Car Insurance costs (for the buyer/owner). According to articles I’ve read in “GoMini” the Mini One has only 75 bhp and insurance costs are lower. I don’t think a Mini One would have lower insurance costs in the US. Maybe some states but not in most, atleast in IMO

I’m not sure buyers in the USA would want a 75hp Mini.

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Mike L Aug 22nd, 2005 Link

I have a suggestion – How about using some _blank targets for those links? This way we can pop up a new window for the external articles, etc., without having to leave MF!

The target tag violates XHTML Strict too might I mention… although this site is XHTML Transitional.

:D just my two cents.

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blalor Aug 22nd, 2005 Link

I have a suggestion – How about using some _blank targets for those links?

Oh, dear God, please no! :-) Seriously, I hate those. I always manage to work around it, and curse sites that use them. Let the user decide how many windows to open!

In case you all don’t know, Audi has brought out the A3 in the U.S. A low-priced five-door hatch

The base price on an ‘06 A3 is $24,700, plus destination of another $720. That’s not “cheap”, in my opinion.

I agree with the assessment that BMW is considered a luxury brand in the US. I think I read somewhere that they’re as common as muck in Germany and the EU? The implication is that they’ve got more caché here than abroad and we pay for it, and the MINI’s sort of a “cheap premium” car. As such, I don’t think it would help their image to bring over the ONE. In the UK, a MINI ONE is 10,995 pounds, and the Cooper is 12,395. If the ratio between the two were maintained, the ONE would have to sell for around $15k here, which is mighty cheap, and I’m not sure they could do it. In my opinion, they’d be entering into a cost-driven market, and competing with cars like the Toyota ECHO, Chevy Aveo, and those are both about $10,000. I don’t think folks looking for those cars care too much about “driving enjoyment”…

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Seth L Aug 22nd, 2005 Link

The latest round of articles seems to be focusing on the new variations.

My question though is do you think these will appeal to a broader range of buyers?

Outside the four-door, I don’t imagine a lot of purchases of the other models from outside those that already love MINI.

I could be totally wrong though…

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Ryan Aug 24th, 2005 Link

huh….how is us diesel (mostly from alaska, texas, and south america) different form diesel in europe (all from the middle east)? are they really that geologically different? i had no idea. i always thought it was just tougher united states epa standards that was the culprit for not having diesels available in the states (in addition to the market of course). i didn’t know our dinosaurs had more sulfur than those in saudi. any ideas?

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Ryan Aug 24th, 2005 Link

oh and btw gabe– i hate ie too, but don’t have a choice–oh well

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David Aug 24th, 2005 Link

Blalor,

Considering what BMW and Audi are charging to get into their 325s and A4s, respectively, I think 25K is “cheap” for luxo.

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Adam Aug 25th, 2005 Link

How about some _MINI tags? You know, the ones that make your window open really small, and really fast?

:)

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Pepe Aug 26th, 2005 Link

Outside the four-door, I don’t imagine a lot of purchases of the other models from outside those that already love MINI.

It gives current mini owners an even better reason for their next car to be a mini… a new variety of models to choose from.

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