Love our ‘09 MCS Convertible, but can’t wait for the Speedster…

The old British management of Leyland etc. in the 60’s – 70’s was questionable to say the least. Not something to follow.

It would be entirely justifiable to say we shouldn’t really have in car audio systems, as Sir Alex deliberatley didn’t put a radio (or space for one) in the old Mini because he didn’t think they should be in cars.

Opinions are fine, but cherry-picking facts to prove a point doesn’t really prove anything.

Much as I wouldn’t want too many variants of the MINI (body-wise) because I feel it would dilute the brand to become “just another manufacturer producing a range of cars”, I would suspect the biggest negative aspect of the MINI is interior space. Hopefully the Clubman addresses that…

As for buying one because I complain that all the latest Mini variants have been bigger and more expensive, well this may or may not be smaller, but I’m sure it will be expensive. So I think I’ll stick with the one I’ve got, thanks.

I also agree I can see some shared parts between the speedster and the Z2 over the long run. Still think if the Z2 comes with a coupe option that the RWD alone will draw me that way.

Hardtop is of course fine, Clubman may be tracing its roots to Countryman of the old days.

Cabrio is already questionable, I guess there were some ad-hoc/home-made silly looking roofless versions of the classic mini.

But SUV? I don’t remember any classic mini SUVs….Sounds ridiculous to be honest.

And I don’t remember there ever being any speedsters/roadster in the classic range. Mini was never about that. There were plenty of British manufacturers flooding the market with various models in that class, most with such tradition and know-how (Lotus, Triumph, MG, Morgan etc) that mini never dared venture in that territory.

How about this: MINI could maintain only hardtop, Clubman and Cabrio, and instead of introducing more body styles, introduce more engines, e.g. a 1.4 liter engine for those who want cheaper option, a turbodiesel (2.0 BMW of course) for those looking for efficiency combined with torque (even if it is a detuned 150ps version), and another hard core version, which would show upper boundary of that prince engine (240ps ?).

And BMW can keep small SUV for its own range if they really want it (X1 ?). I guess launching it as BMW only model could enhance sales rather than diluting the market with two models (sounds a bit like Dodge and Chrysler story).

And, even better idea, if they want a small speedster/roadster, why not revive the Triumph brand which they own anyways, and introduce small light-weight front engine rwd car with stylistic cues of classic Michelotti designed TR4/TR5.

http://tiny.cc/RXIlB