While it should simply be high-level recap for MotoringFile readers, Autoweek has an article out today with info on what we’ll be seeing in the next generation MINI including info on the new long-wheelbase version. Here’s an excerpt:
While the core body style will remain a three-door hatchback (with a two-seat speedster rumored), BMW is working on a longer-wheelbase version that will open the door for a wider range of Minis, including a five-door with more rear legroom and added cargo area. Could a three-door version of this herald the return of the Clubman? We can only hope.
The stretched Mini features a more upright rear hatchback, along with a pair of rear-hinged doors for easier access to the rear seats. The five-door will likely feature a Rolls-Royce electronic locking system that will allow the rear doors to open independently of the front ones – a major convenience improvement over most suicide-door systems.
[ Maxi Mini: 2007 Mini goes large with longer-wheelbase version ] Autoweek
Of course for more detailed information on the next generation MINI, check out our latest article on the topic from last month: Next Generation MINI Revealed.
<p>That bit about the rear hinged doors being opened separately is new and quite interesting. That would be a good way to retain structural rigidity that is typically lost with suicide doors.</p>
<p>Incredible, MINI is going the same route that the old 3 and Golf GTI went, bigger and bigger until they’re so big they have to come up with smaller cars to fill the gap, a la BMW 1 an call them the new old 3.
There goes the neighberhood!!
I would have liked that they polished on the original formula, better options on engines, improve the interior flaws and other small details. Shame, I wonder when the MINI SUV or Pick up is coming along.</p>
<p>Seeing that we’re closer to the next gen MINI arrival time and the awful looking rear-end treatment is still there on the test mules, I’m worried about the upcoming MINI. And I’m glad I made my order for the ’05.</p>
<p>ok, im confused. so the mini is getting longer (larger). i thought it was staying the same size as the 2006. but the size increase sounds significant in this article. and the backend is becoming more upright? thats horrible. im very confused. are they talking about the five door clubman here or the next generation mini. if so a supercharged 2006 looks very very attractive right now. please explain to me what this size increase means.</p>
<p>Read it again guys. It says the 3-door will remain the same with a longer version to be added to the lineup. They are not making it bigger, just adding other bigger options. MINI folks sure get their knickers in a knot awfully fast!</p>
<p>Okay… just to make this very clear. <strong>The cars in the images have a ton of metal around the rear to camouflage the car. The shape is in no way indicative of the final car. </strong>Those pictures have been around for over a year now and are the same ones that have been on numerous websites (including this one).</p>
<p>Furthermore <strong>the standard 3 door coupe variation (the one we all know and love) will grow by mere millimeters.</strong> In fact there’s a good chance that it will weigh lightly less due to the new light-weight engines. It will look very similar to the current car and offer improved performance. So please don’t use these photos to judge anything other than the metal bending skill of camouflage artists.</p>
<p>glad i’ve got an 04′</p>
<p>If the Clubman comes out, MINI owners can brag that it shares technology with Rolls Royce! Hahaha!! How cool.</p>
<p>hm… it seems there there may be three versions of the beloved three door. The non-turbo Cooper at 115hp, a turbo Cooper at 143hp and finally the Cooper S at 170. </p>
<p>I wonder what the middle one will be called. A MINI Cooper S 1/2!</p>
<p>Gimme the 230-hp JCW with AWD! :-D</p>
<p>Don’t count on that 143hp version. You can read more here: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2005/03/20/next_generation_mini_revealed">Next Gen MINI Revealed</a></p>
<p>I just don’t get this one at all the Mini Clubman was a totally different model than the Mini.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.miniresource.com/clubman.htm" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.miniresource.com/clubman.htm</a></p>
<p>I don’t understand why BMW feels the need to call what used to be the Estate a Clubman.</p>
<p>I know that they own the naming rights and can use them any way they want but why can’t they at least use them properly?</p>
<p>The Morris Traveller/ Austin Countryman and the Mini Estate were wagon type vehicles with side opening rear doors and windows all around.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.miniresource.com/estate.htm" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.miniresource.com/estate.htm</a></p>
<p>The Countryman and later the Mini Van were estates with the rear side glass replaced with steel panels.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.miniresource.com/vanpickup.htm" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.miniresource.com/vanpickup.htm</a></p>
<p>Sorry if this sounds like the typical old mini purest rant.</p>
<p>Cheers,
Jack</p>
<p>doesn’t sound like a purist rant – i’ve been asking myself the same question and i’m not an old mini purist (ergo).</p>
<p>but is it really bmw who calls it clubman, or some ignorant reporters?</p>
<p>( i do -have- an old mini, but i’m not a purist.)</p>
<p>I can see the turbo 143hp motor being the base engine for the larger/heavier maxi MC.</p>
<p>Mmm, I still believe that the new Mini is going to be bigger and heavier so I am ordering mine next month. Hope to enjoy a “classic” for a long time and pass it along to my son (he is 4 now) hehehe. At least is not a Pacer.</p>
<p>They are going to screw around and ruin the car. The BMC model did not change and look how popular it was. Why can’t car companies leave well-enough alone. I had the 125th car delivered from Cincy: Chili Red S with all three packages, but needed to sell for a second son. I want another, but if it is anything like what this article descibes, I’M out!! History does repete it’s self, look at the countless cars that grew and popularity went out the door… I hope info is all wrong!!!</p>
<p>My 05 MCS should be at the dealer any day now 1st 3 packages, Red cloth/black leather, center arm red, anthercite interior/headliner H/K, LSD Rear Fog ect. I was going to wait til the 06, but went a head and ordered the 05. Have sold my 03 MCS with 46K. I too can not see y car manufactures add weight, then bigger engines less MPG. ect. At least Mazda left the Miata “alone ” til this upcoming year. If it is not broke, don’t fix it. I would like them to fix a few of the nagging issues, POOR windshields, improve quality control on rattles in the interior, improve sport seats, make them “hold ” you better, borrow seats from their big brother’s parts bin, ect instead of “cheaping” the car in 07 by taking away the multilink rearend ect.
Also my 05 is nesring the 30 k pricepoint and then I have to think about others cars in that price range. I can see the MCS going the way of 300zx that topped out at near 50 and dropped from the market.</p>
<p>Gabe, have you heard anything more about the Getrag AWD? Do you think this would ever happen?</p>
<p>Change for the sake of change…The current Mini is a social phenomnon all its own. I personally believe that this iteration can with stand many more years of fine tuning a technology updating. It is far removed from the look of any other hatchback due in large part to its proportions. But, I do not have the competition/marketing pressure atop my head…my world is a little smaller.</p>
<p>Wayne, I don’t see BMW raising the price of the MINI out of its pricepoint range. It would lose sales and have people wondering why bother with a MINI when I can get a 1er (true BMW) instead? Expect the MINI to continue setting the trend as the bottom dish in BMW’s line-up.</p>
<p>Also, is it true that the next MINI will get rid of the multi-link rear suspension?! Say it isn’t so!!!</p>
<p>Bottom line: Bigger=Heavier=Not a Mini.</p>
<p>I don’t know what all the fuss is about. BMW has already announced that the overall weight of the next MINI will not increase to any detrimental degree. I think they said “around 3 pounds.”</p>
<p>We shouldn’t be worried about this.</p>