Renamed MINI Rocketman Gaining Steam with MINI Executives
For over five years we’ve reported (and reported and reported) on MINI’s internal desires to produce a smaller car than the R53, R56 and especially F56. In 2011 MINI gave us a view of what this car could be with the Rocketman concept. While the BMW Group could not make a business case of the concept initially, we learned back in [October of last year](https://www.motoringfile.com/2014/10/15/rumor-the-rocketman-is-a-go/) that the city car had been in fact green-lighted by the Board. Yesterday, [Automobile double-downed](http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1501-deep-dive-the-mini-minor-one-of-five-core-cars/) on our previous reports and revealed that MINI designers and engineers are actively working on the Rocketman, or should we say the MINI Minor. Automobile’s Georg Kacher also indicates that the Superleggera will join the ranks of the FXX generation. Although we can’t confirm the veracity of these claims, I don’t think we could have ended the week on a better note.
Yes, you read that correctly, MINI has apparently decided to use Sir Alec Issigonis’s original denomination to name its future city car. In addition, the MINI Minor is indeed being developed with Toyota but based on a brand-new platform and with a target price ranging from $14,500 to $16,000. I’m not a fan of the name (it sounds weird in French) but I have to admit that putting a focus on driving dynamics, de-contenting and downsizing makes for an attractive package.
In addition, Automobile seems fairly certain that the Superleggera will see the light of day, and that it could boast a unique drivetrain with an electric motor running the front wheels while a combustion engine runs the rear wheels.
If Automobile is right, it seems that Peter Schwarzenbauer’s five superhero car strategy has now come full-circle. The Hardtop (with all its variants), the Clubman, the Countryman, the Superleggera, and the Minor each have [a very particular set of skills](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgmO32IdwuE) that could allow MINI to compete in various segment in a focused manner while staying true to its heritage.
There are obviously no guarantees that all of this will even come to fruition, but between rumors, reports, and leaked patent pictures there are just too many signals pointing into the right direction. This FXX generation is definitely not short on excitements.
<p>Interested..</p>
<p>Hey Alex,</p>
<p>Minor takes it’s roots from the Morris Mini Minor and they do already own the name thanks to it coming with thier portion of the Rover acquisition.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWtUUu4v41Y" rel="nofollow ugc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWtUUu4v41Y</a></p>
<p>Quite a clever nod if you ask me.</p>
<p>I immediately thought the same.</p>
<p>You would think that they would know these details.</p>
<p>Give me 3 cylinder version in the lightest configuration with no hi-tech options. It can be a fun custom base with a real go-kart feeling.</p>
<p>And bring back the center pod speedo!</p>
<p>I see what you mean, MINI Mineur!</p>
<p>There is still some confusion regarding the five superhero models. I have always understood that the Convertible will be one of the five. Although it is based on the F55/F56 UKL1 platform, the F57 version requires substantial re-engineering to re-instate the torsional rigidity lost by cutting-off the roof, and as such is a model in its own right. If that is the case:-</p>
<ol>
<li>F56/55 Hardtop 3/5-door Hatchback</li>
<li>F57 Convertible 2-door</li>
<li>F54 Clubman 6-door Sportwagon</li>
<li>F60 Countryman 5-door SUV</li>
<li>?? </li>
</ol>
<p>I am excited!</p>
<p>Where is the pick up? Would love one of those.</p>
<p>Pretty sure MINI will not compete in that market.</p>
<p>Nobody makes a truly small pickup anymore. Ever since Dodge put the V8 in the Dakota, it turned into an arms race and joe the midsize trucks are as big as the full-size trucks used to be. Full size trucks, meanwhile, are enormous.</p>
<p>Am I reading between the lines that you think there’s an opportunity in the small pickup segment? ;)</p>
<p>Not really. Anything smaller isn’t very useful. You lose seating and/or trunk when you add the bed. So you need to be able to actually haul or tow something or there’s no point. For example, you can’t haul a sheet of plywood flat in previous years of Tacoma. What’s the point of the bed then?</p>
<p>The render looks really nice – back on track! Just wondering how the designers will screw up the Cooper S…</p>
<p>sign me up….as long as it’s not <em>too</em> decontented. I like the tech toys, I just want the smaller package.</p>
<p>All great news. I just have 2 requests But now sure if either of them would happen.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>JCW Minor- I know it’s supposed to be a city car but a higher performance version would be awesome. But if they do would they be running the same power train as the new JCW?</p></li>
<li><p>RWD Supperleggera- they’re reporting above about a petrol motor powering the rear wheels and electric motors for the front…. But why? Lose th electric motors and make it a proper roadster.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>A roadster by definition is an open top car with sporting appearance and character. This propulsion system would give you the performance you expect of a “proper” roadster with increased efficiency. What’s not to like?</p>
<p>I just don’t see the point. I’d think that AWD would make more sense on a Cooper rather than a roadster. I just can’t imagine someone from the northeast walking into a mini dealer and saying “this is going to be great when we get hit with 3 feet of snow in a couple of days.” I say keep it rear wheel drive, don’t water it down. If you want to add electic motors, save it for the minor. It’ll be a city are and the people that are looking for a city want efficiency. Those that want a roadster are looking for a fantastic drive when the sun is out.</p>
<p>It’s really not about all weather traction. It’s about leveraging a system that BMW has bought into in other cars. That system happened to separate electric drive (the front) and petrol drive (the rear).</p>
<p>You’re right. I completely agree. Im just thinking if I’m sitting in a mini boardroom, I’d want electric drive on a more mainstream model that would garner appreciation from the masses, rather than put it on a niche model and potentially ruin what would be a gift for the purists. But I understand, “it is what it is”, “this is the world we live in”, and “that’s why F1 is what it has become.”</p>
<p>Yeah I see you’re point. I think the notion of electrification as a halo product attribute is something BMW has won with in the i8. I know that’s not lost of BMW and MINI has their looking to place similar bets over the next 3-5 years.</p>
<p>I completely agree on both counts. Especially losing the electric. I know we have many electric fans here, but I won’t buy into electric. Too many problems and safety issues for my liking. Keep it simple, priced close to Miata, sales will surprise most.</p>
<p>When the new Mini was launched in August 1959, it was marketed as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor, but those names were not popular with the public, and so from January 1962 they were officially renamed respectively, Austin Mini and Morris Mini. From November 1969, Mini became a brand name in its own right.</p>
<p>hopefully it will be available in four years when I’m ready to trade in mine.</p>
<p>The problem is that Toyota does not have a suitable platform to underpin a premium city car, and the R&D costs for a completely new premium city-car platform would be prohibitively expensive. However, it is rumoured that one idea that BMW has been toying with is to use a re-engineered R50 platform.</p>
<p>Gabe, what do you think the launch date might be for the Rocketman/MINI Minor?</p>
<p>PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE get the Mini Minor in UK showrooms ASAP.
I want one.</p>