MINI to Go Small with City Car
MINI’s city car is real and will debut in concept form sometime over the next year. That’s what sources are telling us as new information continues to leak out.
The mini-MINI will be based off of the current R56 platform but will be shortened to original Mini proportions. Sounds like a perfect platform for BMW’s new three cylinder engine doesn’t it? That’s what BMW thinks as well and we expect the 3 cylinder power plant to debut in the new Mini city car before it makes its way to the R56 replacement’s lower model ranges.
What we don’t know is how MINI will alter the seating layout. Given modern crash standards a 2+2 layout that the classic Mini had would be impossible. We expect the small MINI (or Minissimo as Autocar calls it) to either adopt a 2 or 2+1 seat layout similar to the Toyota IQ.
Right about now you might be saying, “I feel like I’ve heard this before on MF?” It’s true this has been a rumor we’ve been reporting on for a few years now. However MINI’s corporate overlords at BMW have finally approved the concept and the expansion of the MINI brand. It makes a lot of sense for MINI to not only grow larger with the Countryman but also grow smaller and gain a true cut car.
Originally we had expected this car to share the new BMW iSetta carbon fiber platform. However due to costs and different corporate priorities that ideas has been ruled out at least for the first generation.
Look for the MINI city car to debut as a concept soon.
<p>Well done corporate overlords.</p>
<p>Next we just need to see the design.</p>
<p>btw, that gold Mini is delicious.</p>
<p>The miniest-MINI… awesome! I just hope they’re able to keep the styling consistent with the brand. With the dimensions decreasing so much, it’ll be tough avoiding looking too cartoonish. Can’t wait to see what they come up with.</p>
<p>I don’t know that I am interested in owning one, but it is nice to see BMW returning to the roots of the Mini. I think it is a smart strategy to fill out the line with smaller cars that are more fuel efficient/city cars along with the coupster/speedster variants for the more sport conscious driver. IMHO, the current Cooper design tries to appeal to too many audiences all at the same time. This is a step in the right direction and I feel will be a success. Time will tell.</p>
<p>Bravo Overlords! <em>Make</em> me buy one of these, in a feudal way, please. This is <em>just</em> what I’ve been hoping for since the new MINI was announced and I discovered its dimensions.</p>
<p>I adore my MINI, that’s not it; this is a car-buying option the world needs, in my admittedly dreamy opinion: hyper mileage, hyper practicality, hyper stylishness, hyper entertaining.</p>
<p>Can’t wait to see this thing in “real life”!</p>
<p>I will eagerly be watching for this.</p>
<p>Sign me up for one please. This will be a very cool addition to the MINI line….we will dreadfully need something to offset the Countryman!!</p>
<p>Mini city car, Mini scooter,</p>
<p>when will they debut the Mini skate board?</p>
<blockquote>when will they debut the Mini skate board?</blockquote>
<p>I bet it would sell!</p>
<p>This is great news.</p>
<p>I first rode in a mini 40 years ago – I still remember the car and thrill of the ride – When I first saw it, I said “That little car is no good, and it can’t do anything.” We took it to the country and rode on very twisty roads – Seems like we were doing corners at 90 mph – What a thrill! Saw lots of minis in Australia when I visited.
Congratulations MINI for wanting to bring a vestage of the past – I hope you make it as much fun as the first minis.</p>
<p>The Concept Car for the new CITY MINI will be shown at Geneva in March 2011.</p>
<p>What has been leaked out is one idea as this car has been in competition via BMW’s design studios worldwide.
So it is not the final version and please ignore the JCW photoshop and concentrate on the actual picture to see how some ideas will be seen on the final concept.</p>
<p>However MINI are holding a Design Night in London in a couple of weeks kind of similar to BMW’s which have been held in Munich and Beijing, Where the scooter trio will be unveiled for the first time,so it would certainly do good to pay attention to the video screens for quick second glimpses of future ideas.</p>
<p>Any word on if this car would ever come to the great U S of A?</p>
<p>Tiny rear seats, even for emergencies, always serve as a welcome bonus.
Hope BMW will make this MINI Junior a “MINI IQ” rather than a “MINI Smart Fortwo”.</p>
<p>Can’t wait for it. Small = beautiful.</p>