BMW Cancels Numerous Projects Potentially Including the Superleggera Roadster
According to our sister site BimmerFile, BMW and MINI have cancelled a number of projects champion by outgoing CEO Norbert Reithofer. The rumor goes that it’s the i8s, M8, 9 Series and (critically to MINI) the Z2 Roadster.
While MINI models haven’t specifically been called out in the report, we know that the Z2 and the Superleggera were to be co-developed in order to make the costs low enough. Without the Z2 it’s expected that the Superleggera won’t make it out of the design studio.
Source: Automobile
<p>More room in the lineup for the Rocketman?</p>
<p>They still need a chassis partner but let’s hope so.</p>
<p>“They still need a chassis partner but let’s hope so”</p>
<p>Or do they.</p>
<p>What about a BMW-developed city car platform shared by BMW <em>and</em> MINI, and forget Toyota altogether? I mean, committing to the latter association will do nothing but undermine MINI’s premium message, anyway, IMHO, etc.</p>
<p>The i3 sales numbers are dropping off significantly, so given BMW’s investment, perhaps piggybacking a smaller carbon module (or even shrinking the existing module a bit as we’re not talking very much at 157.4 inches) and sharing it with MINI would capture many birds with one humane enclosure.</p>
<p>A smaller platform could reinvigorate the ambitious project with a slightly less Aztec-y feel, bring the i3 closer to its MCV roots, and it would finally provide MINI with its city car platform, thereby stamping MINI’s authority on minimalism, innovation and engineering prowess.</p>
<p>http://insideevs.com/monthly-plug-in-sales-scorecard/</p>
<p>It’s disappointing but in reality, while we all love the Superlaggera, only a tiny percent of us would actually buy one.</p>
<p>I wonder if the same is true of the Rocketman. How many of us would actually buy one?</p>
<p>I would. I’m actually holding on to my 120k mile JCW waiting. I think that it would become the main selling car, since it would reflect true Mini minimalism.</p>
<p>So would I</p>
<p>I think the Rocketman would be really appealing to hardtop buyers.</p>
<p>It’s unlikely that any MINI will ever be priced below the standard Hardtop hatch. Smaller won’t equal cheaper in that case, especially given the premium brand positioning and the engineering it will take to make a car that small pass all the safety regs. If MINI makes the Rocketman, it’ll be aimed squarely at an up-market audience who is looking for a stylish city car — not at people hoping for a cheaper MINI.
MINIs won’t be getting cheaper, probably ever. At the outside, they might bring the MINI One to The States if for some reason there was a sales crisis or opening in that part of the market, but given the continuous growth for the brand (even despite a very difficult product launch with the F56) and the ongoing overall sales success, MINI has no reason to cut prices for the foreseeable future. They’d rather continue their move up-market and so far buyers are rewarding that strategy.
That said, the base MSRP on the Cooper Hardtop is still a hell of a deal at $20,700, especially considering it’s got a performance envelope similar to the R53 and comes standard with way more equipment then the car did back when it based at $17k.</p>
<p>“… the base MSRP on the Cooper Hardtop is still a hell of a deal at $20,700”</p>
<p>Ah, except when you add on some basic essential options you’ll be closer or slightly over 28K.</p>
<p>Unless a person wants the horrible cheap looking 15″ rims, less than good feeling standard seats, no fog lamps, standard LED 4 line radio display (that limits the use of other things), no backup camera or autodim rear view mirror (essential these day with everyone having blinding headlamps), no car alarm, you might as well buy a Hyundai elantra (or a Chevy Sonic RS) You’ll get more standard options, (longer warranty – for Hyundai) at a lower price. Yes MINI’s have better handling but the average car driver doesn’t do autocross, track days or twisty runs.</p>
<p>Also you noted that the F56 base comes with more standard items then the R53 did when it was 17K. Yes but for a tick under 21K for my R50 in 2004 I got a Pure silver (metallic paint), sports seats, fog lamps, my choice of 3 different 15″ rims styles (all zero cost), choice of 2 different steering wheels (zero cost) and the automatic trans MINI. Didn’t need more and car looked great and handled well. 20.5K in IMO was a better deal than the 2nd and now 3rd GEN MINI.</p>
<p>Yes I purchased another one because even though it’s 10 inches longer than the 1st GEN, only SMART (crap) the 500 (2nd worst IIHS crash test results) and the Cube are cars shorter or same size in length. Others are between 159 to 163″ length.</p>
<p>It is the only MINI design I would spend money on down the road and my wife and I want a convertible or roadster. This decision by BMW ultimately makes our decision easier to buy the new MX5 this summer.</p>
<p>Just to be clear this is very much in the rumor category.</p>
<p>Bummer, on both Superleggera and Z2. I was really excited about smaller, lighter roadsters and sport cars making a comeback, like the new Miata (when was the last time a modern car got smaller and lighter than the last gen??) & Fiat Spider 124 cousins, rumored smaller Porsche, and now seemingly gone Z2/Siperleggera cousins.</p>
<p>I really wish car makers will bring more smaller, lighter, nimble cars to the market, well, especially the US market.</p>
<p>Now I’m thinking of getting a lightly used R59 Roadster…</p>
<p>Seems that every two years or so, the portfolio target size changes. So if you’re bummed, just wait two years and tons of new models will be in play! ;)</p>
<p>Ha!</p>
<p>Not having a long term strategy is going to come home to roost eventually.</p>
<p>These moves do give them room for one more slightly differently sized 4 door with some small variation in design and size. Maybe there is room in the market for something between the just released 4 door and the Clubman. ;)</p>
<p>Western car makers are increasingly tailoring their investments to take advantage of the Chinese and Asian markets, not least in the booming sectors for medium and small-sized SUVs. Like it or not, cars that will be sold globally are being shaped largely by the requirements of China, which is now the world’s largest car market eclipsing that of the US.</p>
<p>Young Chinese people with money to spend, no longer want impractical sports cars or mini city cars. Even in the US there is no appetite for cars smaller than the Fiat 500, which is why the iQ has flopped and is soon to be killed off. The Quros 2 SUV concept, and the Citroen Aircross concept (see attached photo) are the sort of cars that trendy, creative young Chinese people now aspire to own.</p>
<p>“the Citroen Aircross concept (see attached photo) are the sort of cars that trendy, creative young Chinese people now aspire to own”</p>
<p>Why aren’t they scooping up the Paceman?</p>
<p>Hi Matthew – To create the R61 Paceman, BMW removed everything from the R60 Countryman that made it a huge commercial success and, cynically, dished it up as a so called ‘Sports Activity Coupe’ and attempted to charge customers more money for the privilege. If there is a point to the Paceman, I can’t see it, and likewise car buyers worldwide have stayed away in droves.</p>
<p>While on the subject of the R61, we must not forget the equally cynical R58/R59 ‘Twins’. BMW totally misjudge the global market with these three cars, and it has been a real wake-up call for the company</p>
<p>Or a Citroen ?</p>
<p>All too true. While lots “say” they want small and sporty, the bulk of the buying population of the world holds different opinions. With relatively low gas prices, SUVs, light trucks and CUVs are selling well in the US. Sports car sales are stale, and the sedan is now losing out to the compact utility vehicle (Rav4 like things). Selling small appeals to many who love MINIs, but it’s a crappy business strategy for a car company.</p>
<p>But it’s not all bad, the MB GLA45 is a FREAKIN BLAST to drive, even at a race track! (It even took first in a comparo that included the Porsche Mecan.) If the sedan (and by extension the sports sedan) goes the way of the Dodo for things like the GLA45, life won’t be all that bad!</p>
<p>I’m seriously considering the GLA 45 as my next car actually. I figure if the MINI is getting bigger and bigger I may as well.</p>
<p>Maybe the Roadster may now return in the F model line up?
Here’s one with fingers crossed.</p>
<p>Not likely considering how poorly the R59 sold. I think it was the most attractive R series MINI, but I seriously doubt I’d pick it over the Miata.</p>
<p>I know plenty of people love the Superleggera – but honestly, I think it’s ugly (mostly from the back and in the side panels). About as ugly at the back as the F56 is ugly from the front. BMW need a new style team at Mini. This one has run it’s course.</p>
<p>I’m all for a good looking roadster, but to me this isn’t it. The front end looks way too much like the thunderbird when Ford revamped it.</p>