The Next Generation MINI Hatch to Grow While the Brand Gets Smaller
Before you head for the comments to complain about MINIs becoming MAXIs read on…
Sources inside MINI are telling us to expect the next generation MINI hatch to grow in size and into the C segment. That’s the same segment as the VW Gold/GTI and Ford Focus – decidedly bigger than the current MINI. And yet MINI is set to get even smaller in the years ahead. Details? Read on…
BMW wants to move the next generation UKL platform into the C-segment to better align with the BMW derivatives that are planned. However it’s essential for BMW to nail the MINI brief of a small city car that answers to some of the same needs that the original classic Mini did. The answer as you have likely read previously on MF is of course the smaller MINI similar to the Rocketman.
The original Rocketman concept previewed this thinking but the final production execution will be somewhat different in design and slightly larger in length.
As we’ve reported the difficulty for BMW has been finding a suitable architecture. MINI’s UKL platform, the CFRP architecture showcased on the initial concept and a entirely new platform are much too expensive for such a small car. So something co-developed with a partner is required to bring the MINI city to life. Luckily BMW seems to have found it. We won’t see results until near the end of the decade but the sub-city MINI should be in place around the launch of the MINI IV (likely labelled the G56) in 2021.
Why is MINI getting both larger and smaller? The grand plan to increase sales and take advantage of the continuous growth of the compact segment across the global spectrum. However sources are now telling us that that won’t mean alternative power sources for MINI. Price points are expected to be too low for MINI to profitably offer an all electric version of its city car. Instead BMW will likely offer a more premium version in the form of a BMW i1.
<p>My only complaint is that by 2021 cars will be driving themselves. ;)</p>
<p>I can’t wait for that. Most people I see driving should have computers doing it for them.</p>
<p>Has that much changed in the last 2 years?</p>
<p><a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2012/09/25/a-bmw-insider-weighs-in-on-upcoming-mini-models/#comment-662378537" rel="ugc">https://www.motoringfile.com/2012/09/25/a-bmw-insider-weighs-in-on-upcoming-mini-models/#comment-662378537</a></p>
<p>I know it was not official but I took this comment to mean that we had an “absolute reassurance” that no MINI would be longer than 4 metres. Is Scott/Herr26 around anymore? There are a few models larger than 4 metres already aren’t there? Maybe they set the bar at 5 metres now.</p>
<p>With the MINI city car ending up a bit bigger than the Rocketman and the hatch getting bigger, the Rocketman might end up being a similar size to the R50 as predicted here:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2012/09/25/a-bmw-insider-weighs-in-on-upcoming-mini-models/#comment-661950305" rel="ugc">https://www.motoringfile.com/2012/09/25/a-bmw-insider-weighs-in-on-upcoming-mini-models/#comment-661950305</a></p>
<p>Cannot wait for the Rocketman.</p>
<p>From what I understand, the #1 reason why people who were considering a MINI ended up buying something else was due to lack of size. I don’t see how the would the Rocketman help this. I know quite a few Motoringfile readers are excited about it (the Rocketman – or a smaller MINI of some name), but in the real world I wonder how it will thrive.</p>
<p>I don’t think the Rocketman would be the MINI sales leader in the US but would likely be in Europe especially if you put a Diesel engine in it.</p>
<p>Happily, no diesel for little cars any more in Europe.</p>
<p>I wish some marques were known for being small. I don’t think there should be an SUV version of every car — Porsche?! I wish Mini <em>only</em> sold Rocketman-sized cars, but that’s just me being selfish. (I don’t like families or people.)</p>
<p>The thing is, Porsche doesn’t f’ with the 911. That’s the difference here.</p>
<p>It wouldn’t be a big seller in the US, unquestionably. I don’t think any city car ever will be.</p>
<p>So when will they change the name from “MINI” to something more appropriate, “BIGGIE”?</p>
<p>It is still the same philosophy = one the most little cars for every segment</p>
<p>Not impressed with the adverts appearing here these days. Tried to send a less public message via the contact link, but that web page is broken.</p>
<p>Image of adverts I’m seeing</p>
<p>“We won’t see results until near the end of the decade”</p>
<p>2021? It’s sounding like a tortured and winding road home (for a rumored, co-developed MINI city car that’ll be about the same size as the R50/53, the car MINI launched with).</p>
<p>I can’t help but think BMW’s game plan for growth (sans EV?) is creating an opening in their defensive line that will be exploited all day long as other makes get their small model act together.</p>
<p>e.g., I spent the last week on foot in SF. MINIs still out number 500s, not surprisingly, but it’s worth mentioning that I saw only one F56 the whole time I was there, and the number of Fiat 500s I saw running around was notable.</p>
<p>@ Dreamforce?</p>
<p>I think this is a great move on MINI’s part. Grow and shrink! As long as they keep the agility we all know and love as well as the fuel economy and safety ratings. I would like to see AWD offered on the next generation hatch and imagine it will be offered. 2021 seems like a very long time to wait, but good things come to those that wait they say…</p>
<p>The modern Minis are passe. I refuse to spell it as MINI and still find it a bit lame that people are typing a comment here and when they mention the car they put their caps lock on or hold down the shift key to get all capital letters, treating this as this is some sort of legal document.. No matter how you spell it, the modern Minis are passe.. their day has passed… now the real Mini, the BMW free Minis get cooler all the time.</p>
<p>MINI MINI MINI MINI MINI! If you are a MINI hater, then stop following the MINIs on here and stick to the classics you love</p>
<p>I spell it MINI so that people know I’m talking about BMW Minis. I would think that if you like the classics better, that you would prefer that we differentiated this way rather than lumping them together.
I like the way you said that you refuse to spell it as MINI while doing exactly that! 🙂
It might have been better to say that you ‘refuse to use all capitals when typing Mini.’</p>
<p>MINI does not look better in all caps.. it looks</p>
<ul>
<li>Silly</li>
<li>Ridiculous</li>
<li>Stupid</li>
<li>Lame</li>
<li>Weak</li>
<li>Fanboy language </li>
</ul>
<p>And if someone is reading a message board and they read a comment that says “My 2013 Mini, blah blah blah.” and they are not sure if the poster is commenting about a BMW, passe Mini, or a classic Mini they have bigger problems.</p>
<p>Don’t feed the trolls you guys. Spend your energy in better places.</p>
<p>I agree that it does not look better in all caps. I just like that it shows which one we’re talking about. I don’t always mention the year when I write Mini, but I do ‘blah blah blah’ a lot.
btw now you’ve written it twice as MIN!!!
Gotta love your passion for such a small (mini) thing though.</p>
<p>Thank you.. I am The Car Expert.</p>
<p>As you’ve noted in every article. Give it a rest.</p>
<p>The Car Expert, you remind me of the paid Android shills that go on pro Apple sites to try to bash the iPhone.</p>
<p>Two things:</p>
<p>The name looks better in all caps. MINI. Some words just look better in all caps and that word definitely does.</p>
<p>The original Mini is a very cool car, but I’m quite happy to have all of the modern accoutrements in the new MINI and sacrifice the size. Not only did the original Mini have the handling of a go-cart, they had about as much creature comforts and safety features as a go-cart.</p>
<p>Yeah, except I don’t think that Alec Issigonis/BMC etc is paying him to go on pro MINI sites to bash MINIs and promote Minis.</p>
<p>You remind me of the paid Android shills that go on pro Apple sites to try to bash the iPhone.</p>
<p>Two things:</p>
<p>The name looks better in all caps. MINI. Some words just look better in all caps and that word definitely does.</p>
<p>The original Mini is a very cool car, but I’m quite happy to have all of the modern accoutrements in the new MINI and sacrifice the size. Not only did the original Mini have the handling of a go-cart, they had about as much creature comforts and safety features as a go-cart.</p>
<p>Not impressed, yet not supprised by the news.</p>
<p>In 2021, a bigger MINI might be just what I’m after……or a smaller one, I can’t predict 7 years in the future. I don’t like the sound of what they are talking about. The Rocketman looks good as a design (great really) but i can’t see it working day in and day out in my life (groceries don’t fit well in my R53). But I don’t live in a city, I live in the suburbs. At the same time, I don’t want a bigger MINI either, at least not like this article talks about.</p>
<p>Car companies only seem to understand bigger, and then slot a car in under it. They all do it, its all they understand “Cars must be bigger” . I’m kind of tired of it. I’ve heard the excuses, and well whatever it is what it is. This isn’t really news, just the continuation of a trend of the last 30 years. It’s how Carolla got so big the Yaris was needed, Civic got so big there was room for the Fit and chevy found a way to slot in the Sonic. So MINI seems to be less special to me, just following the trend set forth by everyone else, including big brother BMW. So just same story different brand.</p>
<p>Kevin, how can you say groceries don’t fit well in an R53? I’ve camped for a week in an R53 with two people’s gear, plus a 14′ paddleboard and a 21′ canoe on the roof rack..</p>
<p>I continue to be amazed at how much I can fit it the MINI…</p>
<p>are you shopping for an army? you do know the seats fold down, right? :)</p>
<p>I happen to be single, so just shopping for myself…. BUT I, like many hated the run flats so i got rid of them and got a compact spare. So that is behind the seats strapped in, cause well where else is it going to go (I’ve seen welded in rigs, but I’m not going there). I’m not saying it can’t be done, but I am saying that without moving stuff around, folding down seats etc groceries is about all that fits back there.</p>
<p>BTW my other car has got 4 doors and a trunk, more power than my MINI, and cost about the same amount…..depreciation has killed it’s value because its American and a manual (made in Canada, designed in Germany but the badge registers as American). It doesn’t handle like the MINI (nothing does) but after having it I appreciate the convenience of “normal” cars. I still love my MINI but eventually the convenience becomes a pretty good selling point, and it gets BETTER mileage on the highway. The MINI wins in fun to drive, but in bumper to bumper traffic that stops counting for as much.</p>
<p>I ditched the run flats on my roadster, as well as my previous JCW. Never bothered with spare donuts, or the jell fillers. Just looked at the flat tires I’ve had in the past ten years, and said, “I’ll gamble it” never had a problem. Just came back from the Rockies, 3,000 miles, still no spare. Ok, maybe I lucky or just live right. I’ll get caught some day, I suppose.</p>
<p>Oh I admit I’m a wuss on that topic. I feel insecure without a spare. But I managed to ruin 2 run flats on the MINI while I had them (screw through the inner sidewall), so I knew the roads I drive daily are treacherous for tires. I work around construction equipment, they bring debris in with them I guess.</p>
<p>Understand, construction areas can be tough. Also, I’ve probably been lucky. Just hate the runflats.</p>
<p>Talking about the MINI getting larger with the 56 series, why don’t they just improve on the Paceman, give it some advanced style, keep it a two door coupe, and put 265 hp and 280 ft. lbs of torque in it and offer All 4 as an option, instead of mandatory in the JCW? Oh yes, price……if MINI wants to compete with the Golf GTI or R, then they better take a real good look at the MSRP.</p>
<p>Lets see, the last time a configured a Paceman JCW I think that it came in at about $43K, vs the Golf R at $35K. Get with it BMW/MINI!!! And, don’t get me wrong, I think that the GTI/R are both boring in their style, but if you’re going after them as competition, get with the pricing program.</p>
<p>MINI are slowly destroying their brand in their inherited obsession with growth, cost-cutting, market research and filling niches.</p>
<p>The effects of this will begin to show within the next five years. The solution is to focus on their core USP’s going back to the R50 – distinctiveness, superb handling and driver enjoyment, purity of driving experience, personalisation and SMALL SIZE.</p>
<p>If they need to offer more interior space they should engineer the cars more intelligently, as others have done.</p>
<p>The more they grow the cars the more ridiculous they appear, in light of their being named MINI. This WILL erode brand credibility and ultimately, reduce sales not increase them.</p>
<p>I don’t think minis problems lie with their models I think it’s more with their high prices and bad track record with reliability. I am a cooper s hardtop lover but have not even considered purchasing one until the 2014 came out with a whole new engine and transmission. The way I’ve customized mine it would cost me upwards of 35,000, and if I’m going to put out that kind of cash I want to know it’s going to be a dependable vehicle that’s going to last for me. Recently read where the next generation is even getting bigger…don’t want that,so will have to act soon if I’m going to buy, but still on the fence.</p>
<p>I’ve had two Minis, a 2011 Factory JCW and now a 2013 a Roadster with the JCW packages, with the Aisian automatic, which I hate. Not one problem with either one. I hear all the complaints about the R series if MINI’s, I don’t see it. I feel for guise that have had problems, but could it be that the driver/owner might have had something to do with some of these problems? Also, what car on the road hasn’t had complaints or problems? Right, none. Even the supposedly perfect Toyota/Lexus have had their problems. Take care of your, whatever you want, BREAK IT IN PROPERLY, then have fun with your new MINI.</p>
<p>I’ve also had 2 MINIS…an ’08 MCS & my current ’12 JCW Coupe. Will be putting in an order next week for a ’15 F55S. Minimal problems with these 1st 2. Have put over 75K miles total for both. The ’08 only had an AC issue at 20K miles & taken care under warranty. The ’12 JCWCoupe had a Bluetooth issue around 25K miles…& needed a new battery at 33K miles (3 yrs) both under warranty which is not uncommon here in hot Florida to replace a battery that soon. THAT’S IT!</p>
<p>Well, jumped off the fence and placed my customized order for my 2015 cooper s hardtop on Oct 30th. Without the 2014 model change with new engine and transmission I may have stayed away, but I really love the drive and handling of these cars so I’m taking that leap of faith. As with all things time will tell….hope it will all be good.</p>