Sections: Efficiency | Project i | Rumor Apr 28th, 2009 15 Comments 
We’ve heard from several sources over the last few weeks (despite rumors saying otherwise) that BMW will not be branding the “Mega City” urban vehicle as a MINI. It was thought earlier this year that the idea of a rear wheel drive rear engined vehicle could potentially fall under the brand attribute that are associated with MINI. However it would appear that BMW is taking the approach of “ultra” efficiency and squarely putting driving excitement far down the lists of the mega city’s core attribute – something that doesn’t align well with the MINI (or BMW) brand.
The “Mega City” (as it’s been internally referenced) will feature several key new technologies and some borrowed from BMW’s motorcycle division. In the drivetrain department look for small petrol and diesel direct injection engines meant for extreme efficiency plus a hybrid and (eventually) a full electric version. One carry-over bit of technology originally proposed for the R60 MINI Crossover years ago that may see the light of day is a solar panel designed into the roof of the vehicle to help gather excess power.
So where is the MINI brand to go without this car? It would seem that space and energy efficiency will continue to take precedent but MINI will not forgo general sportiness and driver involvement along the way. What does this mean for other future products? There’s little question the brand will grow (we’ve reported on everything from the MINI crossover to a MINI space concept recently) but we now know the immediate direction will likely not be smaller than the current range.
Related:
BMW’s Project i / BimmerFile
KipperFillets Apr 28th, 2009 Link
Here in the UK, most small hatchbacks are touted as the next ‘New Supermini’, so unless it really looks like a MINI, the name’s already been partly hijacked by other manufacturers.
I hope this doesn’t mean that the MINI-E is just an experiment, and that BMW will put their efforts into something like the sketch above when it comes to producing a fuel-efficient car.
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Ted Apr 28th, 2009 Link
GOOD!!! This is good news as just because BMW makes a small gas sipping car it doesn’t make it a MINI.
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dr Apr 28th, 2009 Link
My guess is that these wont be sold in the USA anyway, so nobody should get to interested in this car. BMW may need to compete in the microcar segment in Europe and Asia but not so much over here. Americans may move toward smaller cars but not small cars. If the smart is any indication, they will not hit the market at an reasonable price point. People who want effeciency here will have plenty of B cars to chose from for about the same money.
ReplyMy guess is that these wont be sold in the USA anyway, so nobody should get to interested in this car.
Spoken like a true ‘Merican :) Since this is very much an international site I’d say it’s of interest to many readers.
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mike Apr 28th, 2009 Link
@dr: I wouldn’t use the Smart Car as an example for the failure of micro-cars in the US. Other than being a cheap car, The Smart is a failure on it’s own.
From what I hear about real world mileage, ride, transmission and build quality what you are trading in size doesn’t really get you much unless you just want to be seen in one.
ReplyI really hope that with this news, MINI goes back to focusing on class-leading performance. I’m a little disappointed that so many other small cars have caught up with MINI in this department.
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JonPD Apr 28th, 2009 Link
Well I for one classify a Mini as being a small car, so kinda sad news as these likely means the BMW driven ever increasing weight and size is likely to continue to run Mini for the foreseeable future.
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GregW Apr 28th, 2009 Link
Youre on the money JonPD. Take a look at the new Z4 and see how that has grown in size. Call it an Iseta as this name is already BMWs. Given GMs situation right now you will be soon assembling and driving Australian Holden Commodores aka Pontias as a smaller V8 car – http://zeusville.wordpress.com/2007/03/19/holden-commodore-ss-aka-pontiac-g8/
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Rakey Apr 28th, 2009 Link
It wouldn’t be the first time that BMW have made a small, power efficient town car to meet the cheaper end of the market.
Maybe this will carry the Isetta badge
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SFRedMCc Apr 29th, 2009 Link
To me this concept is more like a cheap “micro car” which is what the original Isetta was, so that is a better name for it. I consider the MINI to be a small, efficient performance car, with premium features, and this is just a basic “econobox”. If it has to be a MINI, then name it a “MINI Micro”
Reply[...] level. We wouldn’t be surprised to see something along those lines pop-up in conjunction with BMW’s Megacity project (which, as a side note, sources have confirmed to us won’t be marketed as a MINI – at least [...]
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