More Talk of MINI Model Expansion
The internet is abuzz with talk from MINI board member Harald Kreuger's comments to <em>Inside Line</em> regarding the continued expansion of the MINI lineup. We reported <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2012/01/19/mini-ten-models/">back in January</a> that MINI plans to grow the MINI family to as many as ten members, and Kreuger's latest comments appear to back that up futher. <a href="http://www.insideline.com/mini/mini-mulls-small-sports-car.html">The story</a> from <em>Inside Line</em>, however, adds new fuel to the fires of speculation.

<p>Build a new Triumph Sports Car. Keep it simple and affordable and watch the sales climb!
I vote for a new Spitfire model. It was the most sold sports car before and would be again.</p>
<p>we are not in 1960 anymore, sales would be weak</p>
<p>That and very few people have found memories of the brand name as it was a while ago… though it lives on in the bike world.</p>
<p>Exactly! Look at Fiat for god sakes!</p>
<p>And the Triumph motorcycle brand is a completely different company, but in that case, that’s a good thing. They’re making some of the best, most interesting bikes around.</p>
<p>Kia will build a Roadster and bring it to market in two years or so. Let’s see how weak the sales are. Also, wasn’t the MINI developed in the 60’s? How are sales doing? As far as the Triumph name goes, how many people in the States knew the MINI since it never really sold here in the past. Triumph’s did!</p>
<p>“Inside Line seems to think the important aspects of that formula “mean small, affordable and a blast to drive.””</p>
<p>They forgot “rear wheel drive”…</p>
<p>Wouldn’t hold my breath on that one…</p>
<p>Not saying they’ll do it, just pointing out that what they build won’t be a sports car if they don’t, and certainly shouldn’t be branded as a Triumph. Maybe they can call it the “MINI Capri”…</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, though – I understand that RWD would eliminate most of the parts sharing with the other MINIs and defeat the whole point of developing an economy of scale.</p>
<p>Doesn’t stop me from wishing for a small RWD Triumph platform providing a modern take on the cars from the early ’60’s in the way that the R50/53 did the original Mini. Just let me know where to preorder my 2016 TR4 or TR3 Italia…</p>
<p>While yes, in order to be fully inline with the old Triumphs it’d need to be RWD I don’t think RWD is requisite for something to be a sports car. The original Mini was FWD when it won Monte Carlo <em>three times</em>. There are MINIs tearing up autocross courses and GRAND-AM tracks all over the country. Sure there are advantages/disadvantages to each arrangement, but if you think there’s no such thing as a FWD sports car, you’re on the wrong website my friend. ;-)</p>
<p>The rumored Z2 which would have a MINI cousin has switched to FWD for packaging.</p>
<p>As I commented a few days ago- Toyota has a next gen IQ in Munich with MINI and they are sorting out if a joint platform for the Rocketman could work. It is looking more and more likely the RM will get green lit and feature a small range extending electric drivetrain.</p>
<p>Some sources continue to indicate that BMW is slowly pulling back on BMWi, as the target economies are not able to build the needed infrastructure for charging etc. The development money will not be wasted as BMW will use it in standard models to offset the costs. One way it to spread it across the lineup.</p>
<p>Every FWD car can and may feature the plugin drivetrain in the new BMW FWD concept.</p>
<p>Rear wheel drive will remain BMW exclusive.</p>
<p>they’ve got this totally bass-ackwards. they need to be figuring out what in the design, manufacturing, or assembly process prevents them from making a decent profit with the numbers they have now.</p>
<p>Its not possible, no small manufacturer can make it work because they can’t compete on price with the larger companies. Name an independent that can make it on their own in the current market?</p>
<p>The truth is they have very high overhead by building in Europe (Labor, parts and currency issues) and making a premium product. If the MINI was not a premium product it would compete with the UP! and there is no way on earth they could survive in that low profit high volume world, MINI does not have the purchasing power and VW is a juggernaut thanks to its original decision to be a volume leader.</p>
<p>The only way is to expand and increase the ability to purchase in bulk from suppliers to lessen costs. That is the reason car companies or any company rather get bigger than smaller from a volume point unless you are true niche maker with high profit per unit (Rolls Royce etc.)</p>
<p>People that think they can make it with the original lineup are out of touch with reality.</p>
<p>Even with the Countryman, which is selling in droves, MINI is one of the smallest brands, competing in the most competitive market space on the planet. It is amazing BMW was able to do what they did with the brand thus far but without more scale MINI is doomed and they know it and that is why BMW is building a FWD model (which goes against everything they have stood for) to reach greater commonality and economy of scale with MINI- it is all to save MINI.</p>
<p>They could always just build in China and hope for the best as well…</p>
<p>Slightly off topic, looking at the Paceman rendering at the top of the page: we now know what a slammed Paceman, with 24″ wheels and 10-series tires would look like.</p>
<p>Correction: The Miata was based on the original Lotus Elan…</p>
<p>Speaking of growing the mini line, what ever happened to the MINI E Scooter?</p>
<p>Speaking of the Mazda MX-5, I had one of those before I got my MIni JCW. Just about the worst riding car I’ve ever had. Anything more than a 50 mile run and my back was absolutely killing me. I finally put it down to my legs extending out too straight. Fun car to drive, handled great, not bad fuel mileage and it was spiriting in acceleration, but not fast at all. Compared to my JCW, well no comparison at all and that is why I’m considering for my next Mini a roadster.</p>
<p>The next MINI concept will be a cross-over destined to show how BMW and MINI can co-exist. Entirely based on the Active Tourer the MINI variant goes with familiar MINI aspects such as enhanced MINI family design and quirky features such as club doors but with the emphasis on space and light. As the vehicle utilises an allround glasshouse and large panorama roof for an enhanced spatial feel It is the vehicle destined to become the MINI TRAVELLER and follows the same creative approach as the BMW by re-interpreting an existing concept into their own brand philosophy. Whilst the BMW aims for a very dynamic appearance with intelligent thinking the MINI will appeal more to the MINI heartland and especially those who need more space and flexibility. One clever addition is the incorporating of a Rolls-Royce type wrap around lounge seat in the rear.
To describe the MINI it is very much like an enlarged clubman and alongside the Active Tourer you would never guess they are practically the same car . But that is BMW’s intentions that MINI and BMW can and will co-exist. Appearances will differ as will how they will drive as BMW sets out to show that MINI and BMW can co-exist. Both the MINI Traveller and BMW Active Tourer enter a market that is growing as more european customers are turning to cross-overs in needs of greater flexibility. The Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse has shown that premium can work within such a segment and the two concept attack by BMW and MINI has spurned Audi into action as the segment is expected to grow by around 45-50% and BMW expects both the MINI and BMW to take a significant result from that growth.
The interesting aspect in terms of design language of the BMW Active Tourer is that if you shrink the car and change the front and rear end you get a very close look of the next MINI’s sister the City Compact
The MINI sedan is so moving ahead with some quarter scale models being built for first evaluations.
Looking like a mixture of Maserati and even a mini-Rolls-Royce the car is advancing with some typical MINI ideas being expanded on as slimmer, elongated MINI-esque lights at the front or the conventional cornered lights , trapezoid rear lights and floating roof , its far too early to get a definite answer on what it will look like , but some of the ideas are so far overly impressive , some even incorporating the rear hinged doors which bodes to my impression of a MINI Rolls-Royce. The stumbling block here is what to do with BMW. As BMW are currently at work on a elongated four door of the upcoming 2er Coupe model to bring into line amongst the 6er Gran Coupe and upcoming 4er Gran Coupe aimed at the Mercedes CLA and Audi A3 Sedan. A FWD 4dr BMW would be counter-productive as the appeal of a RWD model would be far greater.
The next BMW FWD model is an intelligent approach on the SAV,MPV and Touring . This can fully be described as a cross-over because it features the robust solidity of an SAV in its appearance , The space feel of an MPV and the cargo capability as a Touring and you can add Coupe to that mix because of its dynamic sloping rear end.
Dubbed the F.amily A.ctivity S.ports T.ourer or FAST for short it aims to offer an intelligent approach to a cross-over which combines every need with optional xDrive . One thing learned is that there are a lot more customers using their cars for more than their basic needs. In todays market it has shown that customers now shun conventional concepts in light of more unconventional choices, such as MPVs over Sedans , Crossovers instead of hatches and so on.
FAST offers a variation in one concept with universal appeal. FAST will also be the first BMW model (after BMW i3) to offer rear hinged doors as the FAST shares with a similar MINI Concept which I originally thought it was the Paceman is actually the MINI Activity Tourer .
The MINI Activity Tourer brings the more raked look from the PACEMAN , but to a five door concept. Again sharing with the BMW FAST it aims to offer a variation on the MINI theme by offering a more sporting space concept but developed for a more active lifestyle. For a more stylish MINI appearance rear hinged doors will open up the cabin for easy entry/exit on the beach or on the slopes.
The MINI Sports car idea is a variation on the theme of actual Coupe/Roadster and how that for the second generation and in that the whole MINI family. Is that if you take the Countryman it has proved that MINI can stand alone in seperate individual concepts. And now is the opportunity for the MINI family to expand further on styling and individuality.
The current MINI , Coupe , Clubman and Roadster are all variants of the same look. the next generation should form their own unique identity but still be recognisable as a MINI. The Countryman has achieved this and the replacements for the MINI Coupe and Roadster should also follow this by making them completely distinguishable from the conventional standard MINI with more individuality and sportier styling.
MINI’s unique selling point is that they are cars with character , they expand on ideas in an unconventional way and yet they deliver cars which drive with a fun-factor missing from many proposed sporting hatches or coupes.
The next generation through their enhanced sharing with BMW retains that fun factor with a dynamic edge but never forgetting that go-kart like character. BMW are aiming at a more sporting edge aimed at the more premium end of the market , despite the concept whether it is FWD or a Active Tourer etc it has too feel as direct and communicative as a BMW. BMW knows that for this new generation of compact vehicles is that for everything to work they have to be everything the other is not and that individuality is just as important as design.
Something the engineers have achieved, I cannot wait till you find out how this jigsaw goes together.</p>
<p>Another bug-eyed Austin Healy Sprite … that’s what we need! The yellow and black MINI SUV looks good wearing off-road shoes. All that’s missing is “power by CAT and heavy-duty, planetary, reduction gear-driven wheels like the big mine haulers use to tote marshmallow ore!”</p>
<p>I’m still cheering for Rocketman. It could represent a move in the right direction for MINI. After all, MINI is all about being “mini,” and not about becoming the biggest loser among automobile manufacturing “heavy weights” that have chosen to abandon their heritage. MINI has a great opportunity to celebrate its heritage with the Rocketman. Seize it!</p>