Comments on: BMW Considering New MINI Variations

By: Hoover

Hoover — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:43:15 +0000

I’ve said this a few times on here before, and it’s a little boring but…a wagon…4 doors, a hatch, and enough room for 4 passengers and some gear in the back. It should just look like a longer MINI–I don’t care for the Clubman styling, although I admit it’s unique. I just want a clean, MINI sportswagon. Let me have turbo if I want it, or a diesel a la R60, or AWD as options.

By: JonPD

JonPD — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:59:35 +0000

Still think if they wanted to make a good small city car, they would dust off the presses and use the classic Mini as a city car. Update the suspension and motor and I would bet a great number would be sold. Also if they could do this with similar components they are using for the Isetta could make it more practical.

I wouldn't mind seeing a new Mini truck.

By: GregW

GregW — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:39:22 +0000

I FORGOT ABOUT THE OTHER VARIANTS;

The Riley Elf, and the Wolseley Hornet (different front grilles and fin tail lamps and a extended boot).

And of course the square nose Clubman in saloon and wagon form.

So unless MINI wants to add appendages to current shape there are not a great range of options left.

How about a car like George Jetson drove - without wheels. When I was a kid watching the show, we thought we would be flying around in these by 2000.!

By: minidreamcar

minidreamcar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:16:43 +0000

Any of the styles mentioned above.

I would love to see BMW take the lead in hydrogen and fuel cell research. There was a Hydrogen car that went up against the new '08 vett and beat it like a red-headed stepchild.

Slap that Hydrogen fuel cell in a JCW and there will be nothing in its class or 3 classes higher that could touch it.

They say that Hydrogen is too dangerous, but you can get well over a 100 of mpg. So put a fuel tank the size of a motorcycle's tank. Instant 300-500 miles per tank.

BMW get a pat on the back for true innovation and the world get the energizer MINI

By: GregW

GregW — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:14:18 +0000

Thanks for guiding me back on track JonPD.

How many more variants can you think of? Old Mini had; 2 door saloon, 2 Cooper versions, panel van, station wagon (Countryman and Traveler), pickup, Moke (jeep), and finally a convertible in later years.

So the MINI options are - Pickup, Van, (BMW does not make commercial vehicles), and Moke.

With old Mini, there was a MG sports car version concept made but never progressed (car can be seen at Heritage museum in Gaydon GB).

Will Palin take her guns to town and go moose hunting on Wall Street? Oops...sorry...it kinda slipped out!

By: JonPD

JonPD — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:52:08 +0000

No politics please GregW, lets keep the discussion focused.

What direction do you think that Mini should follow if they were to grow the brand after the R60?

By: QWKSLVR

QWKSLVR — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:49:07 +0000

…OMG…a CROSSOVER…our MINI stand has ALWAYS been to HATE S..U..V’s….I’m going to vomit….

By: LannyMCS

LannyMCS — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:52:52 +0000

AWD…..that is all.

By: GregW

GregW — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:39:03 +0000

Be careful what you wish for - you may get it!

2 door coupe? You already got one. How about decent leg room in the back. Lets face it old Classic Mini had more leg room in the back than the R50 or R56.

Do you really want a 72 year old with no future and limited time left above ground, and a hockey mom running the country?

By: Ryephile

Ryephile — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:26:14 +0000

I would LOVE to see a diesel engine option in all the current body configurations. A diesel hatchback would check my box for a perfectly practical commuter. If they feel the NEED to add another body style, a two-door, two-seat shooting brake that is styled like a Clubman but is the length of the hatchback would be fun. A two-seat coupe should just be a package option with the normal hatchback in the vein of the R53 GP.

By: JonPD

JonPD — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:23:52 +0000

Gabe, what would you like to see?

Think alternative power-plants makes sense for brand growth. Still would love to see a Micro Mini city car.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:15:12 +0000

Give me a diesel Clubman anytime. Fun to drive, extra room and the efficiency of a hybrid all in one. Who can beat that?

By: whokilledkaji

whokilledkaji — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:26:03 +0000

I think BMW shouldn’t be messing around with anything other than improving the current lineup. New models aren’t neccesary, but alter alternative fuels are a must.

By: SithMini

SithMini — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:49:57 +0000

I like to see a 6 seater. Make it wider and but two rows of 3. Put the driver in the middle seat up front.

By: lilcoopr

lilcoopr — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:24:41 +0000

Bring back the Isetta and show Mercedes (Smart) how to properly build a city car with attractive looks, performance and fuel economy.

I second (or third, or fourth, haven't counted!) that idea!! I think the Smart car is a brilliant concept but MINI should step in there and show Mercedes how it's done. That's what I'd most like to see, and what I think would benefit MINI the most in the future. Think smaller, fuel efficient, and urban-friendly - not big and SUV-like!

By: dr

dr — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:58:41 +0000

Natural gas. How about natural gas for propulsion? Practically half the price of gasoline, easy to build, clean, and plentiful.

Until everyone statrs putting it in thier gas tanks

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:30:18 +0000

Two-Seat Convertible! I've had 2 Miatas, and one MINI. I wish I could combine the Miata & MINI into 1 car...

Something else to consider, would be a smaller MINI. Something along the fortwo lines...but with a regular manual transmission, better MPG and the MINI styling. Not everyone has kids or crap to lug around or lives in the suburbs; a smaller MINI for the city would be fantastic.

By: Dan S

Dan S — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:16:07 +0000

Its great (and vital for survival) that BMW/Mini is researching all these possibilities. They need to be prepared to move where the technology leads them. I just hope they don't introduce new models more rapidily than they can chew.

I vote for adding a two seat hard top convert like the latest Miata (light weight, doesn't spoil the lines).

I also vote for getting the diesel here ASAP.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:06:30 +0000

Absolutely Awesome! Think of the possibilities, a 2 seat roadster with convertible top that runs on Hydrogen? My mouth is already watering! Wait a minute, I can run my car on that!

By: O(=^=)OCapn

O(=^=)OCapn — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 06:28:46 +0000

Supercharged Goodness I want my power NOW! Diesel AWD, not 4WD Long enough to compete, Fast enough to win (Subies, Mitsu) A racer! A Giant Killer! That is what a MINI is!

PS: Anybody else picturing C4 stocking the shelves in his basement with canned goods and shotgun shells in between posts today?

Yes, Actually.

PPS: Anybody else think he just might be right?

Depends on who wins

McCain? Economy up Obama? Economy Dn You can't tax your way into Prosperity. I never got a job from a poor man, just the rich.