Rumor: MINI Rocketman to See Production
Autocar.co.uk is reporting that MINI’s Ian Robertson “has given clear indications that the MINI Rocketman could make production and gives hints towards other future MINIs.” Now it almost goes without saying that a production version of this smaller MINI wouldn’t have the Rocketman name or most of the Rocketman concept details. What would be very likely to remain are it’s shape, its dimensions, its likely 3-cylinder powerplant and and its 3+1 seating.
Robertson went on to infer something that we’ve suspected here at MotoringFile — that aspects of the Rocketman concept are clues toward the design future of MINI, including the next generation hatch. “The themes in the car are not just about a smaller MINI. Lightweight construction, and new types of components will go on to MINIs. The BMW i-concept will be available to all members of the group.â€
We’ll keep you posted with more concrete information when we have it.
<p>KEEP. THE. NAME.</p>
<blockquote>The BMW i-concept will be available to all members of the group.</blockquote>
<p>this last bit is interesting. i thought all previous reports were pretty adamant that the carbon fiber chassis was BMWi only due to cost.</p>
<blockquote>i thought all previous reports were pretty adamant that the carbon fiber chassis was BMWi only due to cost.</blockquote>
<p>The chassis itself, yes, but I think he’s referring to the i-concept program and all of its learnings.</p>
<p>Thinking in terms of that 3-banger turbo, I wonder what it will weigh? 12lbs/HP sounds VERY interesting! LOL</p>
<p>I still don’t get the whole 3+1 seating 🙁 Does that mean three full seats and an extra for cargo or smaller people?</p>
<p>For 3+1 seating: With such a short span between the axles, there obviously wouldn’t be much room for passengers in the second row. The passenger side of the dashboard is farther forward than the driver’s side allowing the seat to slide further forward ahead of the driver providing at least theoretical room for a third adult in the rear seat. The position behind the driver is strictly for kids.</p>
<p>With the reaction to it I think MINI would be silly to not pursue it. I am hoping though that is not the face of the future MINIs. Not horrible on a concept but rather lacks the character of the R50-R57.</p>
<p>@Mel – I agree, what is it with the 3+1 thing? It would make more sense if the single seat was the driver in the middle and two passengers in the back – at least they would be able to stretch out their legs. Or two in front and one in the middle, whatever.
As previous, most concepts make it to production.</p>
<p>My understanding of “3+1” is two rows of seats. Two adults fit on the passenger side but the seat behind the driver is smaller to allow more seat movement for the driver.</p>
<p>The announced internally that the MINI Rocketman Concept is heading to production. And has entered BMW’s rigorous feasibility programme.
(it monitors possibilities in what can be produced for production and what cannot?)</p>
<p>Journalists love it… The Geneva Public loves it… and MINI enthusiasts past and present love it.
The next trip for the Rocketman Concept will be @ Auto Shanghai.</p>
<p>The next stage for MINI is to expand on the ideas of the Rocketman with a more urban environment. Which means more space in a more compact footprint.
They label this idea “MINI Caveman” – no joke! in terms of it’s small exterior and cavernous interior.</p>
<p>It wont happen until the small MINI establishes itself but history is repeating itself and they are thinking of additional concepts for the small MINI family, just as the original MINI family expanded.</p>
<p>LOSE. THE. NAME.</p>
<p>I am not a fan of Elton John and would have that at the back of my mind every time.</p>
<p>Keep the styling.</p>
<p>I highly doubt that the rest of the MINI family will look exactly like this so don’t worry. The bigger brothers would probably have more mature/less cute faces. Hopefully better looking that the current Countryman (in my opinion, that won’t be hard). The article says “gives hints towards”, “are clues towards”. This should be good news for all the models.</p>
<p>MINI – Try to make the small model look like the Rocketman as much as possible.</p>
<p>The concept looks like it already has a starring role in Cars 3! The big, startled eyes, the gaping mouth! Curious how it changes as it moves towards production.</p>
<p>And count me in as one of those folks saying “WTF – 3+1 seating?”.</p>
<p>Look past the exterior, it’s what is under the skin that is the most interesting part of the Rocketman, well, that and it’s size :-)</p>
<p>I know that this concept car has no engine, but is there a weight target that MINI is trying to achieve with the small MINI ?</p>
<p>At last some news here. I don’t care for the Rocketman at all, I hope it’s look does not infect other MINI lines.</p>
<p>The Rocketman is a no brainer of MINI to take into production.</p>
<p>AWESOME! Keep it the same size (or even smaller) and give us that BMW 180hp turbo 3 cylinder.</p>
<p>its brilliant, I’d order one right now!</p>
<p>I really look forward to it and to find out which parts of this new design language will make it to the next hatch. Well done MINI!</p>
<p>What @HERR26 says is both interesting and exciting.</p>
<blockquote>they are thinking of additional concepts for the small MINI family, just as the original MINI family expanded.</blockquote>
<p>Did Gert Hildebrand participate to the creation of this concept as well? If he did, this quote makes me wonder how long will his spirit live on in our little cars.</p>
<p>I will put down a deposit today! Wait! Will it actually come to the US? If not, I guess I will have to move. No, really MINI, please sell this over here.</p>
<p>What is being discussed but in no way confirmed as yet is… “Is the MINI brand strong enough and well known enough to sustain a sub-line or sub-brand?”</p>
<p>BMW for example have the core model line –
1 3 5 6 7 followed by Sub-lines X Z and now Gran Turismo and soon Gran Coupe and F.A.S.T.
Then there is the sub-brands BMW:M and BMWi.</p>
<p>With MINI we have one family but with the Rocketman we preview a new family which of course for production and market establishment would remain a single model.
It is what comes next? And certainly there is a level of thinking at BMW who are thinking along the lines of the Rocketman, especially in what can be sustained without cannibalizing the core MINI family.</p>
<p>What concepts could be introduced with this family?
What can be done differently? One such idea is Urban transport variant using the same small footprint , allowing space for four within a small concept but cavernous inside for it’s size. It is termed internally the MINI Caveman (yes, I hear you groan)
🙁
(But it’s title is certainly apt and it fits within the MINI “humorous culture” of the brand.</p>
<p>A new MINI Concept car will be shown at the IAA in September. But it is more to do with the MINI III
Which in appearance allows you to understand that both the next MINI and the upcoming BMW Compact car can co-exist without cannibalizing each other.</p>
<p>So, gimmicks aside (ie, wing/taillights), I really find a lot of promise in the Rocketman. Love the size, love the profile, love the size!</p>
<p>But I don’t care for the fender and boot creases, the Cars-like cartoonish face, or the interior. Â Ultimately, it’s the interior I dislike the most for one reason. Â it’s entirely modern.</p>
<p>In contrast, I love the fact that my R50 has one foot firmly rooted in the past and one in the future. Â The Lounge Leather interior is clearly a tip of the cap to the classic Mini, and it reminds me of my father’s Triumph TR4’s seats. Â The bonnet, with its curves and hump, evokes the design of similar British sports car, yet the MINI is undeniably modern in countless other ways.</p>
<p>This mix acknowledges MINI’s past, while it firmly established MINI’s own identity. Â The Rocketman, it seems to me, is almost all forward looking.</p>
<p>Would love to get insight at MINI at the massive positive feedback on the Rocketman and the very split automotive press and community over the R60 to draw any conclusions on their management of the brand? The twins being smaller have gotten lots of positive feedback and the Rocketman smaller gets outstanding feedback. I have to think that more than a few people have an issue with the chunky nature of the brand compared to the history of it.</p>
<p>MINI, you keep coming up with new ways to drain our checking account. I’m sure the girls will do fine at a state school anyway.</p>
<p>I don’t think every MINI’s name should end in MAN. I really, really don’t like it. Clubman, Countryman, Rocketman (too much). Be original like the brand. This car would need to come in at around $10K-$14K to be appealing and get upwards of 40 MPG (I am speaking in U.S. dollars and gallons here.) in order to really get my attention. Also, would still need to do an under 9 sec 0-60 MPH and have superior handling characteristics. It is cute and small, but needs to maintain enough MINI to uphold the brand.</p>
<p>@MINIme – it is original having Clubman, Countryman – we had the Leyland Mini Clubman, the Austin Mini Countryman, and various other Austin derivatives had Countryman monika as well.
So given what Herr26 is saying can we see the Pickup, the Panel van, and the BMC Mini Tractor?</p>
<p>For those of you who have never seen the BMC Mini Tractor – here is a website (diesel engine)
<a href="http://bmcminitractor.co.uk/page11.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://bmcminitractor.co.uk/page11.html</a></p>
<p>Can anyone say “AMC Pacer”……….FUGLY IMO.</p>
<p>I really with that BMW would show some restraint with the notion of having to create so many variations for every possible niche and platform.</p>
<p>Can’t We just have a smaller variant of the MINI III without having to expand the brand 6 ways and develop sub-lines and sub-brands around it?</p>
<p>Yes, there is positive reaction to the Rocketman Concept, however that should not be viewed as another opening to dilute the brand with endless more models.</p>
<p>Sometimes we get Blinded By The Light. I really don’t think that the possible production Rocketman would look anything like the concept, but there is something that is lost a bit in the shuffle. Basically what this is is a smaller MINI done essentially by leaving the car the same from the front bumper through the front seats. It is behind the front seats of the car where the difference is made. Sort of the reverse Clubman effect, which would make it very easy for BMW/MINI to build.</p>
<p>As much as I love the concept of the Rocketman it begs the thought of “is a slightly smaller MINI” really necessary?</p>
<p>I think taking the best features of this concept and just applying it to the next gen hatch would satisfy most people in my opinion.</p>
<p>It’s Fantastic. Keep the Name, Rocketman. Give it four (4) seats, but make the rear seats removable.</p>
<p>I say MINI should build a super luxurious, long wheel base 4-door sedan in the sense of say a VW Phaeton and price it at around $75K and call it the homelessman or the divorcedman. :)</p>
<p>Dare I say it but with 3 + 1 are we going to get into the same Clubman debate over which side has the back seat position – left side or right side?</p>
<p>Bring it to the U.S. Whatever the name. Please… Pretty please.</p>
<p>Ugly, Ugly, Ugly</p>
<p>Build it. KEEP the name but back it up with some serious noogies.</p>
<p>The Rocketman coming to the USA in 110HP, 180Lb/Ft 1.2L 3-cyl turbo-Diesel form will put me back in a MINI, assuming it feels and drives like a proper sporting MINI and not some stupid “city car”.</p>
<p>Firstly,love the concept,not big on the name. Concepts are exactly that,they look cool and have modern futuristic ideas,which never,ever make it into the production vehicle. It irritates the crap out of me to see something so cool,then when it comes out the modern futuristic interior/dash has been replaced with plain black plastic like every other car.</p>
<p>Secondly,why argue over a 3+1 seating arrangement,when,in all honesty,there is no room in the back of a mini,unless you are an amputee or have sticks for legs,the gap between the seatback and the rear seat is miniscule,great for your tiny kids who’s legs are still on the back seat and don’t dangle down. The issue with moving the passenger seat slightly forward to accomodate an adult behind, is that it blocks and obstructs the drivers view out that window !!</p>
<p>Thirdly, The new design language is a modern interpretation of a modern design of a classic car. Kudos for that. I myself want the new roadster thats due here in canada next spring,and they’ve done away with a back seat altogether,making it a true 2 seater,with a pass-through to the trunk area. I have my deposit cheque ready for them, and am all for a modern vehicle. I wish the new roadster had some of the rocketmans design cues. Except the name.</p>
<p><b>steve c:</b> I’m 5’11” and by no means have sticks for legs (and yes I do have legs) and have sat WITH REASONABLE COMFORT in the back of a R50 MINI hatch from Toronto to Detroit and back. (4.5 hour drive)</p>
<p>Compare the space in the MINI to other small cars and you see it’s quite luxurious with tons of headroom versus others with sloping roofs. Compare the MINI to a 5 series and you have a point about the lack of leg room.</p>
<p>I’m just sick of the “there’s no space in the back” comments…</p>
<p>PS: Bring on the Rocketman 🙂 Regardless of seating options, it’s sounds like a wickedly cool car! Name and all!</p>
<p>i would venture to say your sick of those comments,because there’s so many of them. something becomes a cliche usually because of a strong element of truth,and i’m not complaining about the serious lack of legroom,the rear seats are good for a briefcase,but seriously,standard adults in the back of a mini would have the most uncomfortable experience,every comment i heard at the auto show while at the mini display was about the “zero legroom” in the back.</p>
<p>you would be,as of course there always are,exceptions to the rule,as a general comment (i meant no offense), i believe it had plenty of merit,unfortunately,which is why i cant wait for the roadster,lose the back seating altogether,and make it what it’s sized for,a 2 seat roadster. just my .02</p>
<p>GAD.. FUGLY</p>