MINI’s R60 Platform to Spawn Several Variants
This fall MINI will show a production version of the MINI crossover (internally known as the R60). The road to development for this car has been a rocky one from the start. The R60 is a strange amalgamation of MINI and BMW platforms and components (the Clubman front end married to components from the upcoming BMW X1 in the rear) that seems like a questionable investment for the BMW Group. But BMW has grand plans for this platform.
As we reported a few weeks back, MINI is working on a maximum space concept (known internally as the Spacebox) with four doors and a hatch based off of the R60 MINI crossover vehicle. The car would come without the faux off-capabilities, a lower ride height and an entirely new exterior and interior design. Think of it as the BMW 5 Series GT of the MINI world. Focused on interior space first, efficiency and performance second.
Interestingly British car mag Autocar has a story in this week’s magazine claiming that MINI will be building a four door GTI fighter. Based on our sources that’s true but it’ll be based on the SpaceBox concept described above and previously on MF. However don’t let the image above fool you. That’s Autocar’s attempt at a MINI GTI. In reality, while that may be how the JCW version could look, the Cooper and Cooper S iterations will be much more restrained in their styling. And while MINI will be coming to market with all different iterations of the SpaceBox (from One to JCW) throughout the life-cycle of the product, there are currently no plans on the table for the all-wheel drive performance variant that Autocar mentions.
However sources are also telling us that there may be another vehicle coming from the R60. Something similar to the SpaceBox but a little more conventional. Look for an exclusive report next week.
<p>Thanks Gabe. I love the sketch design especially the front and the continuous skyroof.</p>
<p>That actually looks pretty awesome.</p>
<p>I’m getting confused.
The number of variants/styles/performance figures that MINI may well end up with is beginning to look like a catalogue from someone more like Ford (shudder).</p>
<p>We all know that the MINI is a compromise in many areas, but excels in the fun department, which is why it sells.</p>
<p>If MINI starts producing pseudo off-roaders, spaceboxes, et al, then they’ll have a lineup that will be so diverse, it will dilute the brand. Each variant will have such specific qualities that potential buyers may well consider other brands.</p>
<p>For example, there are lots of econoboxes around. Once MINI creates a vehicle based solely on economy for example, there’s going to be a lot of (better/cheaper) alternatives that people may well look at.</p>
<p>OMG! Can’t wait to get one of those! Wooot Woot!</p>
<p>@ KipperFillets – what about the MINI one? sounds like MINI already has an ‘econobox’ that doesn’t dilute the brand…</p>
<p>A case of proof that BMW owns the Mini brand. BMW has a long history of building diverse numbers of vehicles, they also have a well proven track record of developing ever larger and heavier vehicles.</p>
<p>With multiple variants at the top of the size range MINI has basically said that everything Sir Alec stood for is no longer at the heart of the MINI brand. While I don’t expect this to drive MINI out of business I believe building ever increasing numbers of variants is slowly but surely moving the brand image from being a small and very capable car to yet another second tier car business pushing out an inconstant brand image (see Fiat for example).</p>
<p>Gabe’s statement from the last White Roof Radio is starting to play out. I remember a cold chill running up my spine when he said that someday people will look back at the R56 as fondly as they do the R53, I wonder if this is because of the drive of the company of building heavier and larger cars.</p>
<p>Not an expression of hate of the company as much as great disappointment, which is something MINI has excelled at for a while for me personally.</p>
<p>the image looks great, hope that’s what R60 ends up looking close to</p>
<blockquote>MINI will be building a four door GTI fighter</blockquote>
<p>Good luck with that.</p>
<p>Don’t count on those wheels being that close to the body! MINI artists always have seen the wheel gap being a lot less than the engineers.</p>
<p>I agree — that looks good… from front to B-pillar — after that it looks like a stretched limmo</p>
<p>This is nothing more than an offering of a C size car, like the Mazda3 and the GTI and a whole host of other vehicles you weenies always fret about. Mini would be foolish to not compete in this class, since the B size coupe is always compared to these cars anyway.</p>
<p>The idea that this undermines the brand is silly. Mini was always part of a family of vehicles of different sizes. Why should they only make one size car now. Plus the R56 is lighter than the R53 anyhow, so your logic makes no sense.</p>
<p>R56 larger & heavier? Last time I checked, the r56 was slightly larger (eally, it was mostly the taller hoodline and taller fenders) BUT it was actually lighter in weight! Either way, BMW owns the MINI brand and they will expand i…</p>
<p>The problem seems to be high operating cost of the MINI brand… and the solution is very odd… build lots of variants to recoup the costs</p>
<p>Why not go back to ground zero and build a cost-effective 2-door?</p>
<p>This is sacrilege, but if a Cooper S was $15k… many non-MINI people would buy one. I know ahead of time why it’s $25k… but this makes no sense… building 3 4-door models? I can’t see it working at least in the country I reside in.</p>
<p>Lets see… a ‘comparably equipped’ MCS, which is closest to the GTI as is right now, usually lies around the low $30K out the door. A Clubman S is around mid $30K… now theyre building a car thats larger than both those cars… and they want it to be a GTI fighter?</p>
<p>A GTI only costs $25K for a well-equipped model. Not to mention the interior quality/design is MUCH better.</p>
<p>I think they’re better off calling this a Touareg fighter, which even then it would lose.</p>
<p>Then theres that thing called the R32 which is pretty awesome, albeit slow… but if you wanted to compare, that thing just kills a JCW anything.</p>
<p>If that weren’t enough, there’s a little subsidiary named audi that makes the A3/A4, among other variants of those models…..</p>
<p>but i still want a mini, bc ive always wanted a mini. stupid reason, but thats the only hold they have on me. if i were to shop through looking at specs, VW/audi would earn my money in a blink.</p>
<p>You know, the orginal MINI production by Sir Alec ran for over 30+ years with BMC just making “improvements” to the orginal design during its production run. Maybe I’m out of touch but why can’t MINI focus on “improving the breed” its built instead of building another new “truck” line off the R55-56. If you look at the latest MINI Clubman, price it with some options, you end up getting pretty near the BMW 1 series. Although not direct “competition” to the MINI right now, it is in the same dealership when you walk in. And when the new X1 is announced, it will be. I don’t know…I think MINI is trying too hard to be too much to too many people instead of being “itself”…</p>
<p>Isn’t this technically a MAXI? Not a MINI?</p>
<p>BMW is slowly becoming the new Chrysler… and VW is the new GM.</p>
<p>The R60 Platform (Crossover & Spacebox) is a BIG mistake for BMW. It will not capture enough of the market to make it worthwhile.</p>
<p>The MINI brand needs to focus on what it does best – Fun, Spirited, Small, Lightweight, Fuel Efficient, Sporty Cars with character. That’s what brought me to the brand, that’s what will keep me buying.</p>
<p>BMW needs to learn from GM – you can’t be everything to everybody…</p>
<p>Guys, no where did I state the R56 was heavier btw.</p>
<p>The R60 is heavier and larger and since this story is based about the R60 and other development on its platform thought I didn’t need to spell out which vehicles I am speaking about being larger and heavier.</p>
<p>if i was in charge of the direction of the brand this is what i would have done. make the model we see above instead of the clubman, a full 4-door compact. that would be your direct competition with the Golf/GTi family. then make an all-wheel drive an option for JCW models (and all models in fact)and now you have your take on the R32. and after all that you can start working on an SUV with the same AWD system you’ve already developed for your smaller cars. i feel this would have been much much cheaper. just my $.02.</p>
<p>OK, so who was in the so called “focus” group for this one … hands up !!!</p>
<p>The detuned MINI One is more exciting than this.</p>
<p>I still think the wrap-around “greenhouse” window design is one of MINI’s best design features, and that notch-down at the rear roof pillar completely destroys it, as does the contrasting silver trim on the Clubman.</p>
<p>Second that JCWRKS!</p>
<p>I like it.</p>
<p>Now that I have 2 kids, my MCS is feeling mighty small. I’ve been considering a 4-door GTI as it’s replacement. But if MINI were to build a 4-door larger MINI to compete with the GTI, then that might very well keep my allegiance with MINI!</p>
<p>I like the sketch, and encourage MINI to build it. I care not about what MINI was originally, a small, two-door economy car. I have no problem with more (and bigger) variants. If it helps the MINI brand grow, then great!</p>
<p>Hey look, they fixed the SUV like wheel gap.</p>
<p>One of the neat things about Mini is the range of choices to personalize the car. Seems like more platform choices fits that motto. I suspect you will find families with the two door and also a larger vehicle. Similar to a Porsche SUV and 911 both in the same garage.</p>
<p>I chose the Mini JCW over the GTI (and the Nissan 350) however I can live without the space. As my needs change, I may have to get the GTI, unless Mini builds something as cool as the sketch above!</p>
<p>The only thing not to my liking in the sketch is the “fish with bulging eyes” styling of the headlights. Comments?</p>
<p>the wrap round rear glass is starting to feel really post 80s to me guys, I think its time to get over it. When it debuted on the Saturn I think it had already jumped the shark..</p>
<p>How many more “retro” design features can we lose before the current MINI has no resemblance to the old Mini? Although the wrap-around glass wasn’t on the original Mini, it had a cool “retro” feel, and was a great way to feature the contrasting roof.</p>
<p>Like it or not, BMW has decided to exploit the MINI brand to it’s very last drop of blood. In the process, what made it unique and special in its latest reincarnation has been lost. Doesn’t mean it’s still not a great car, but one of the major reasons that made it appealing to the first generation of owners has been compromised. From a sales standpoint, its ok; MINI has tapped in to an even larger group of buyers. And perhaps its the difference between the brand surviving or eventually dying out. From and iconic standpoint though….</p>
<p>Lava, no offense, but you are the ultimate BMW/MINI apologist…</p>
<p>Although I am less than a fan with MINI lately I can say that I don’t think for a second that they are going out of business soon. Rather they will broaden their potential customers, but while doing this loosing more than a few that have helped the MINI become as successful as it has.</p>
<p>In many ways over the next many years I feel MINI will become as special as BMW. Just another car on the street, while being a decent car lacking much of what made it an initial success. I think any manufacturer that produces a decent iconic car will gladly move into this niche that MINI is happily moving away from and has built a successful automotive company with.</p>
<p>Oh no. Another model that will kill the brand.</p>
<p>Really?!?</p>
<p>Seriously, while the cars are certainly growing marginally larger, these are still among the smallest cars in the US market. For a point of reference, the Honda Fit may ride on a slightly shorter wheel base (98.4 v. 100.3) than the Clubman, but the R55 has a shorter overall length (161.6 v. 155.8). Plus, these new variants will not be any longer than the R60 itself (final length TBD), if the statements of the current MINI designers are to be believed.</p>
<p>The fact is, all MINIs are, and will be, small cars that will always be at the far end of the size spectrum that makes up the BMW family of vehicles. It is one thing to say, for example, that Honda started out as a motorcycle and small car company and added new variants until they had a full compliment of cars competing in all market segments. I don’t believe that is what we are seeing from MINI; the specifications speak for themselves.</p>
<p>Honestly, I think that BMW, as a brand, is making a mistake by bringing the X1 to market. This SAV will now be competing against the platform sharing R60 for the same customers. Despite all of the dissent, this car should be a MINI. This potential cannabization of buyers is part of the reason the US manufacturers are in such deep trouble (with the exception of Ford because they had already moved to minimize the problems associated with badge engineering). BMW needs to ensure they are not repeating this history as they try to create cars that meet the “needs” of an ever changing marketplace.</p>
<p>We will quickly know more about their strategy and vision for all the brands based on how they handle the development and roll-out of the new “Mega City” urban vehicle over the next couple of years.</p>
<p>I completely agree with the post three above this.
A part of me says that I would actually like the Mini brand to die again. It would make our cars seem more exclusive in a way. Right now its going the other way, becoming more comfortable and appealing to more people. I am bored just talking about the words ‘comfortable’ and ‘appealing.’ I want to talk to the men and women who are making the MINI decisions right now!</p>
<p>No one model is going to kill the brand. But variants that push the price into BMW territory will get more MINI shoppers looking to the driving dynamics of RWD.</p>
<p>I want a 2-seater, 2-liter, 2-door, 2000 pound, AWD SMALL MINI hatchback. Then follow it up with a 2500 pound cabrio. People that need 4 seats have the Clubman and this vehicle. Lots of us don’t use the back seat, and I’d love to see that space dedicated to a larger engine and AWD drivetrain.</p>
<p>MINI/BMW have the ability to dominate this segment of the market, and to me, it’s much truer to the original vision of a Cooper-modified MINI. MINI is already the premier compact brand for looks and handling, now they just need to recapture the performance crown.</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-259293" rel="nofollow">lavardera</a>: Sorry to correct you, but the original Mini, although it did come in a few variants, for most of it’s life was just the one size. Sure they changes the front end/wheels for the 1275GT and made a Clubman/Pickup/Traveller, but essentially it was just one design, one chassis, one wheelbase.</p>
<p>The R53/56 may be different weights but I should think to most people it’s still the same car when you see one pass. Changing that instantly recognisable shape would be the first step to diluting the brand.</p>
<p>The Suzuki Swift already looks very MINI-ish at a glance. I dread to think how many people have looked at this and a MINI and gone for the cheaper option, because ‘they look the same’.</p>
<p>This site is for enthusiasts, but I sometimes think posters loose the perspective of the general public. Just look at the marketing to see how MINI knows people are swayed by emotions rather than logic.
Quoting specifications doesn’t always reinforce your point. Sometimes it shows just how out of touch you are with the real world.</p>
<p>test – posts not showing up</p>
<p>Test again</p>
<p>Kipper you are right. The cars I’m thinking of were under the Leyland and later the Rover Group. But at the outset, when the Mini was new, Issigonis designed many other small cars for them many of which were based on innovations from the Mini’s platform – the design office was working on cars of all their marques, so it was not like there was a independent Mini design team somewhere.</p>
<p>I agree with you 100% that the performance enthusiasts here often do not see the forest for the trees. If BMW was to follow their much of their advice we would soon have no Mini at all.</p>
<p>My personal opinion is that anyone who owned an r53 who has since bought an r56 will always say that the r56 is a far better daily driver and much nicer to drive. I personally think
that all the people who go on about the original r53 being irreplaceable are the people who can’t afford to trade up to the newer r56. The F56 will be a fantastic car and it will be suitably updated both under the bonnet and in its styling from the r56 for modern times. I still own an r53 but my sister owns and r56 and in my opinion the more updated these Minis become the more they lose the rattles and gain credibility as a thoroughly enjoyable daily driver with lots of spark under the bonnet. To me thats what Minis are all about. I’d rather use mine than fix it and the more people that can buy one due to styling updates such as four doors, all the better.</p>