you’re spreading/repeating FUD about hybrids, not to mention your arguments are purely subjective. there is no evidence that hybrid engines can’t be just as exhilarating as standard gas engines, in fact quite the contrary when one considers that toyota’s ferrari-fighting, lexus will be released with a hybrid option.

also an after-market MINI tuner has created a hybrid MINI that does 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, a top speed of 150MPH and 80 MPG. the engine is much smaller than the MINI as its primary task is generating electricity for direct drive wheels, meaning the overall weight is about the same as a standard MINI.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/21/hybrid-mini-offers-640-hp-0-60-in-45-seconds/

Hybrid = Boo :-( Weight, Batteries(possible replacement), Cost = Negative, Negative, Negative

the mini is actually pretty bad in terms of its emissions for such a small car, it emits 6.9 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year and has an epa pollution score of 2 (out of 10).

compare that to:

honda civic: 5.5 tons and 6 of 10 honda civic hybrid: 3.7 tons and 8.5 of 10 honda accord: 6.6 tons 6 of 10 toyota camry: 6.7 tons and 6 of 10 toyota prius: 3.4 tons and 8 of 10

it’s awfully spurious to assume that wanting a fun car and wanting one that’s environmentally friendly are mutually exclusive? it’s really not cool that our tiny cars are polluting more than full sized accords and camrys.

you’re also mistaken on the life of the batteries; they are guaranteed for 8 years, toyota doesn’t know how long they’ll last beyond that, but are expecting 15 years on average.

i for one would buy a hybrid mini in a heart-beat.

1. AWD is inappropriate for a MINI and really isn’t necessary. Anyone driving in weather fowl enough to want it should either invest in a good set of snows or stay home! MINI’s do pretty well in winter from personal experience.

2. Hybrid??? Are you all serious? Doesn’t the MINI help the environment a ton already by being one of the most fuel efficient and fun vehicles around. If you really want Vanilla there are a ton of Toyota Dealerships dying to sell you a Yaris or Scion Xa really! Why copy the others? Isn’t MINI about “Youification?” Working to make more powerful and fuel efficient engines that are great in both categories is no small feat. Keep your Hybrid wishes to SUV’s and large cars that need it. Who wants to replace batteries after 7 to 10 years of ownership approximately anyway?

3. Speedster. Now here’s an idea for something different to harken back to BMC’s roots an additionally add something unique to the mix. Long hood and short deck MINI would make for an awesome Miata/Solstice stomper.

4. Moke and those other ideas are cool but not as cool as a Speedster. Let’s see what MINI really does come up with. I know you’re out there reading this BMW AG. You’re good at listening but don’t stray away from what MINI is really about. You won’t like the outcome.

As it has been said before, replace the serving platter of a speedometer and the quirky center stack with something more appropriately sized and tasteful. Also, any way of minimizing the front overhang of the R8 would be welcome.

While it wouldn’t be for me, I can see where a small pickup would be an asset to the MINI line with a function, fold-out cargo bed.

–rally inspired AWD MINI that can compete with the STI/EVO of the world. –hardtop speedster RWD (w/ AWD becoming an option across the board) with at least 220-230 hp

I don’t use my back seats much, but I’m not fond of the idea of losing them.

Whether it goes speedster or rally, AWD or RWD would be awesome in a MINI–its part of the ticket to making this model really distinctive. But you’ve also got to lower the weight, and either way give it at least the same power as a JCW, if not more. Oh yeah, and don’t limit the production run, just make it special order. I think I’d be convinced to trade up.

What would definitely get my dollars is an AWD version of the R56. I do not want it to increase any in size, or change in outside appearence. Just the same body with AWD.

The interior needs to be worked on before I’ll buy another MINI. The center stack really needs some help. The R56′s larger speedo is a joke with the stereo system integrated in it. The layout of the HVAC controls need help.

Returning to a style closer to the ’02-’04 R53 for the interior would definitely be a step in the right direction.

Light weight is always a good thing as it improves fuel mileage and performance. More power might be nice but not necessary. AWD is a must to control the extra power.

http://news.windingroad.com/auto-news/renault-r5-turbo-2-follies/

So, that means that we are talking about something that may come to fruition about 2010?

It is closer than it sounds, 3+ years, but that is a long time to wait for AWD.

Anyway, an all-weather giant killer is what I want…with a nice, tunable turbocharged motor.