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The Future MINI Family Revealed
The MINI family has gotten complicated. From one model to five in just a few years is just the start. With a few years more MINI will have 9-10 models on dealer lots. The idea is to expand the potential customer base while staying true to the MINI aesthetic and ideals.
So with that, let’s take a look at the full list what we expect (based on several inside sources) from MINI in the years ahead.
– MINI III (F56)
– MINI Convertible III (F57)
– MINI Clubman II (F55)
– MINI Traveller/Spacebox (F62)
– MINI Countryman (current and future)
– MINI Paceman Sport Activity Coupe (R61)
– MINI Coupe (R58)
– MINI Roadster (R59)
– MINI Rocketman
Interestingly sources are telling us that, if the new Coupe and Roadster are successful, MINI many merge them into one with a new unique sports car that wouldn’t use use a Current (or future) MINI but use a bespoke body.
So why the change and all the new models? BMW’s strategy with the new front wheel drive platform is to leverage it’s front wheel drive MINI production and create compelling city products for the BMW brand. This platform (know as the UKL1) is a modular architecture that will underpin a series of new Premium city models both to wear MINI and for the first time BMW badges.
The new strategy and the sharing of both N20 and N37 engine families will allow BMW to increase it’s profitability in the long run for this segment, something which could not be achieved with MINI alone. With combined MINI/BMW UKL sales BMW are expecting production and sales output to surpass both the 1 and 3 Series 3er by 2020.
Sustainable Powertrains have not been forgotten either with the new platform. As well as the option of all-wheel-drive which could be spread throughout other MINI’s including the next generation MINI hatch (F56).
This report is brought to you via several sources – some of them public and some of them not. The most influential however, Herr26, is an avid commenter on MF and BF and is a well known insider at BMW.
<p>Yes but WHEN will we see the F56?</p>
<p>Next summer I think is the release date of the F56 concept?</p>
<p>The New MINI will be Previewed @ MINI UNITED 2012.</p>
<p>Lets hope then that the twins prove to be viable</p>
<p>Gabe – I can fill in some of the codenames for you. F55 Clubman II, F57 Cabrio III, F60 Countryman II.</p>
<p>It is a well know secret that BMW is planning to launch a Z2 two-seat sports car, with front-wheel drive. A boardroom source has ackowledged the risk of a front-drive BMW sports car, by reportedly saying, “This may be a culture shock for some, but there is simply no other way to meet packaging, weight and consumption figures.” To be cost effective it will need to be twinned with MINI, effectively replacements for the R58/59. The BMW versions are said to be more upmarket and aimed at the Audi TT, whereas the MINI sports would be aimed at the MX5.</p>
<p>It is also no secret that the next BMW X1 will be front-drive with the option of four-wheel drive, and will be twinned with the F60 Countryman II. Again the BMW version will be the larger of the two.</p>
<p>Ian Robertson, BMW’s sales boss, has already ruled out a production version of the Rocketman concept, but BMWs ability to squeeze the UKL1 platform to make a car as short as 3.4m-long is also in doubt, as are the economics behind building a car smaller than F56. However, it is thought that BMW would like to build a super economy urban version of F56 with a stripped-out appearance, and extensive weight saving and aerodynamic features, together with a super-frugal version of the three cylinder N37 engine.</p>
<p>” Again the BMW version will be the larger of the two.”</p>
<p>As long as the size, the style, and some of the interior amenities that are the differentiators. every time someone mentions that “the differences are in the software” i get nervous that the BMW will be sporty and the MINI will be less sporty. I do not want to have to choose a BMW in order to get a good driver’s car.</p>
<p>Nick, you really seem to have your fingers on the pulse of BMW/MINI R&D and continue to dispense interesting and informative data, including “well known” secrets. Perhaps other well know secrets will reveal the location of The Holy Grail and The Lost City of Atlantis ;)</p>
<p>Harry, I’ll see what I can do for you. It’s amazing what juicy bits of information one can pick up on the dinner party circuit here in Oxford :)</p>
<p>While you’re at it Nick, please discover a set of dirt cheap abandoned or orphaned bagpipes. My set was stolen several years ago and I’d like to replace it. Please steer clear of the Gallardo Flambe edition that was recently burnt to a crisp in the Scottish highlands. Blackwood is one thing, but charcoal could screw up doublet ;)</p>
<p>Recent rumblings point to the Rocketman as being axed per Robertson in current conceptual form but there is some indication that the concept of a more efficient version (the lighter stripped out version you talk of) will carry some of the design characteristics of the Rocketman. The 3 cylinder can be quite powerful (more output than the current Prince JCW for example in turbo petrol) and also be more frugal ala MINI One in diesel form so the thought is to base the Rocketman on the F56 and sell it as MINIs answer to the super economy car but give it enough style changes to differentiate it from the rest of the hatch line. </p>
<p>The X1 is currently based on the soon exciting E91 sportswagen so its drivetrain and underpinnings are dirt cheap. The next generation may intact be based on the Countryman and produced alongside it at Magna because current demand for the X1 has outpaced BMWs ability to build it alongside the 1er. The other rumor is that the X1 will be moved stateside once the F30 3er comes online since there will be no current vehicles using that chassis any longer and with the EU the prime consumer of the X1 the currency change to produce it in the US would seem to make sense.</p>
<p>All speculation at this point but the rumors are floating in back channels. </p>
<p>I was very interested in your comments on July 25, regarding the work being undertaken on the N37 three-cylinder engine to develop more power using triple turbochargers.</p>
<p>This makes a lot of sense, because BMW Motorsport is currently developing the next generation M3 engine. The V8 4.0L has been ditched, and the new M3 engine will be based on what is essentially the 3.0L six using triple turbos and rated at approximately 440bhp. Two twin-scroll turbos work conventionally, but the third blower is electrically driven to boost low-rev throttle response.</p>
<p>The 1.5L N37, being a modular design, is essentially half the 3.0L six, and shares the same cylinder design, and can accommodate the same pistons and valves and, using the above M3 technology with tri-turbos, should be able to develop well in excess of the 181bhp required to match the current Prince II ‘S’ engine. The third electrically driven blower would also address any concerns regarding lack of torque.</p>
<p>Recent rumblings point to the Rocketman as being axed per Robertson in current conceptual form but there is some indication that the concept of a more efficient version (the lighter stripped out version you talk of) will carry some of the design characteristics of the Rocketman. The 3 cylinder can be quite powerful (more output than the current Prince JCW for example in turbo petrol) and also be more frugal ala MINI One in diesel form so the thought is to base the Rocketman on the F56 and sell it as MINIs answer to the super economy car but give it enough style changes to differentiate it from the rest of the hatch line. </p>
<p>The X1 is currently based on the soon exciting E91 sportswagen so its drivetrain and underpinnings are dirt cheap. The next generation may intact be based on the Countryman and produced alongside it at Magna because current demand for the X1 has outpaced BMWs ability to build it alongside the 1er. The other rumor is that the X1 will be moved stateside once the F30 3er comes online since there will be no current vehicles using that chassis any longer and with the EU the prime consumer of the X1 the currency change to produce it in the US would seem to make sense.</p>
<p>All speculation at this point but the rumors are floating in back channels. </p>
<p>The Rocketman is the real deal, but probably BMW is not so brave to face the Fiat 500, even if they have the right technology for a two cylinder engine and for a cheap chassis.</p>
<p>..The very next Mazda MX-5, 800kg, RWD</p>
<p>..Z2/R59-59, 1200kg, FWD</p>
<p>..The very next Mazda MX-5, 800kg, RWD</p>
<p>..Z2/R59-59, 1200kg, FWD</p>
<p>So, the Paceman will be the last Rxx Modell ? Are there any up-to-date news about the Paceman?</p>
<p>If BMW can sanction FWD models, why not allow MINI to crack the mold and produce RWD and/or AWD mid-engined variants? And while there are many sound reasons for BMW to proffer a FWD 1 series city car, there may also be justification for the MINI lineup to include an equally prodigious departure from tradition i.e., a mid-engined RWD/AWD MINI F56 hyper-performance hatch in the tradition of the GP. This would be a very limited-edition iteration produced for homologation, marketing buzz, and most importantly — to satiate the appetites of hardcore MINI enthusiasts.</p>
<p>Will the family expand further to include branded toys e.g., kayaks, bicycles, skateboards, camping equipment, etc.? Lifestyle accouterments are essential to “Live life to the MINI.” CP+B are you spying? Intellectual property protected by pending copyright. Signed NDA required. Thank you.</p>
<p>AWD F56. Outstanding. A little something for everybody then.</p>
<p>I’ve been wanting an AWD S for so long, even thought about doing a swap with an audi TT to make it work</p>
<p>bring all4 to the f56 please </p>
<p>Do we have any idea of ballpark timeline for an F60 or F62? I need to upgrade to something like the R60 in the next year or so, but will be heartbroken if immediately afterwards the F60 or F62 comes out.</p>
<p>LOL – Rocketman ? Anyone get a good look at those doors and hinges ? </p>
<p>If the same man who designed the window carriers for the R56’s is involved or the same vendor for the rear hatch hinges, the amount of times this model will be at the dealer for fixes is going to be bloody staggering………</p>