The closest alternative model to the MINI that I’ve come across in Australia is the Suzuki Swift Sport (see http://www.suzuki.com.au ). In fact I once was approached by a Suzuki Swift driver who told me that the only reason why he purchased the Swift was because he wanted a car much like the MINI but he couldn’t afford one. The Swift provided him with a suitable alternative at a fraction of the price. Add body stripes and you have an alternative.

The Ford Fiesta XR4 model hatch also seems to be trying to muscle in on the MINI market space in Australia (see http://www.ford.com.au).

Most of the styling exercises for small cars these days look to me like larger cars that came out of a hydraulic press – squeeze ‘em into a smaller length – throw on a few square yards of chrome and an orifice that would swallow the Graf Zeppelin, and folks won’t notice how execrable the “styling” inspirations are, I guess. Two-box cars have a proportional equilibrium that is very limited, and MINI has about captured the acceptable limits for me.

As a past & current owner of many AWD (Audi), 4WD (old Subaru) and 4×4’s (too many to mention, currently a Dodge Cummins). Buying an AWD car for use in snow is a total waste of money, weight and complexity. Increased traction in high-HP cars is a different story.

The main reason I would drive my Dodge in the snow over my daily-driver has nothing to do with it being a 4×4 and more to do with it being a lot less valuable and more easily replaced if some SUV driver who failed basic physics plows into it.

http://www.motorpasion.com/2006/02/09-audi-a1-el-mini-de-audi

I got the Mini because the TT got 20/26mpg and weighed about 3600lbs. It also had much less room than the MCS.

But the AWD was great. With all the torque the R56 is putting out, AWD is the next logical step.

I have to agree with those who don’t want to sacrifice weight for AWD. 200-300 pounds would be significant in a MINI, and not worth it in the end. I drive a FWD Mazda with good snow tires, and it handles a lot better than my Evo did with AWD:), so invest in those tires and enjoy the weight savings:)

At this point is only a rumor whether Fiat intends to re-enter the American market that they abandoned nearly 25 years ago. If so, look for the Fiat 500 Abarth at your nearest Ferrari/Maserati US distributor in 2010.

Some iterations look different. This one looks kinda miniesque.

By 2010 there should be several Mini alternatives, especially if gas prices continue to rise.

Ban anything bigger than a BMW 5 series. Bring back sanity to transportation. Please no more waste, glut, inefficiency, pollution. Let’s demand CO2 rating specifications on new autos. Subaru, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, European Manufacturers are all headed to this form factor.