Comments on: Next Generation MINI Production Timeline

By: Aussom

Aussom — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 03:32:01 +0000

The new baby boom has already started in Australia. Hopefully BMW will get their finger out and release the R55 Estate/Traveller/Countryman soon, otherwise they could miss out on the baby boom market.

I've noticed a lot of young families buying 4WD's, AWD and people-mover vehicles for seating capacity with a view to keeping their vehicles for at least 5 years, forking out a lot of $$$ in the process.

Remembering that women are the main decision-makers for family cars - children need to be taxied, shopping done, go on short holidays and pets need to be ferried - which could be catered for with the R55.

Children become more expensive as they get older, so parents have less available income for purchasing the R55 as the kids grow up (probably until they leave home at least). BMW MINI may need to think very carefully about pricing to ensure that the R55 isn't priced out of the young family market. The Grey Nomad traveller market could also be a suitable market...

By: Miniak

Miniak — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 03:08:29 +0000

WooHoo, early Christmas order, and a slightly late Birthday delivery!

By: MotoringFile » Archive » 2007 MINI US Market Availability

MotoringFile » Archive » 2007 MINI US Market Availability — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 12:27:39 +0000

[...] Last week we looked at the production timeline for the entire family of next generation MINIs. This week, let’s deal with the simple question we’ve been seeing a lot lately; “when can I order a 2007?” [...]

By: Liam

Liam — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 03:00:51 +0000

I believe Feb 07 is when the R56 will hit Down Under as well. With any luck there might be one at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney this October.

By: Jon

Jon — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 21:52:40 +0000

The Moke really doesn’t qualify as a sport utility in my book anymore than a Jeep does. The Moke was developed to address a need in the British Army for a vehicle like a jeep. I wouldn’t mind this type of future mini product either, but the not a SUV. There isn’t any reason why mini should try to be ford, chevy, honda or any of a dozen more SUV manafactures. The idea of a luxury suv isn’t anywhere in mini’s history adn hopfully nowhere in its future.

By: Dave Mac Mini

Dave Mac Mini — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 21:35:54 +0000

Right on Frank, but the Moke was more like a dune buggy than a full SUV. Still, a modern Moke would be a hoot!

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:28:55 +0000

Actually, historically a Mini “SUV” did exist way back in the 1960’s… It was called the MINI Moke!

By: Jon

Jon — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 18:55:37 +0000

I wouldn't argu with a mini based pickup, although I would not bring one home. It does however have historical precedence as I have seen this concept with the prior mini brand.

This is what mini's are all about to me, living in the current day and age but having a direct connection to a previous evolutionary older version.

I hope mini transcends being a niche market car, although I do enjoy seeing fellow mini's on the road I would be very displeased to see as many of them as I do of the other mainstream auto's. What can I say I like being a little bit of an origonal on the road. If not I would just buy a honda and blend in with the masses.

By: TallyHo!

TallyHo! — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 18:36:06 +0000

I hope that the SUV rumors are not true. I wish that BMW would spend their time and effort to bring back the Triumph roadster rather than developing a SUV.

By: MINIAK

MINIAK — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 18:32:56 +0000

Release date means.... what? When we can order, or when the first deliveries will happen?

Signed - Impatient in USA

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 17:41:49 +0000

Ian, that “hole” was left unfilled when the 1980’s VW Rabbit pick up left the market.

By: Ian F

Ian F — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 17:21:50 +0000

A MINI-based pick-up would be cool. There is definitely a hole in the US markt for a small, fuel efficient pick-up.

By: CoolToddHunter

CoolToddHunter — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 16:43:31 +0000

Is the reason that the R57 won’t be available for two years after the R55 because BMW uses the same design team to rework the design into a cabrio? Or are there other considerations?

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 16:36:46 +0000

That’s one of the handful of renderings done by Autobild last year. I wouldn’t look for MINI to do anything quite as dramatic if they go that route.

By: Fritz Chili

Fritz Chili — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 16:34:21 +0000

look here: http://www.autobild.de/projektor/galerie.php?artikel_id=7282&pos=0

By: Fritz Chili

Fritz Chili — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 16:27:43 +0000

if I could post a picture, I could show the "possible SUV" called MINI Hunter...

can I post a link here ?

By: Seth L

Seth L — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 16:24:03 +0000

How about a MINI pickup for the R58?

But yeah, that Traveller wait is going to be killer.

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 16:04:28 +0000

Jon/Griffon:

My bad. Need to sleep better tonight. ;)

By: Griffon

Griffon — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 15:43:57 +0000

Frank,

Jon isn't talking about the R55 when he refers to the SUV MINI, you can see this in his second post. I believe he was implying the R58 may be a SUV model.

By: Jon

Jon — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 15:41:54 +0000

Frank don’t misunderstand me, I love the R55, just was saying that if the R58 is a SUV version I would choke. The R55 fits perfectly into the idea of being a mini and has historical basis. Just after Gabe made a mention of the future R58 type I just said that I hoped it wasn’t going to be a Suv. My wife already wants a R55 so one will eventually follow us home too. Just a tad worried that mini will run off on the suv tanget that every other manufacturer has.