Longer Life-Cycles May Become Normal for MINI
For a generation you could set your watch on BMW’s ultra consistent, seven year models life-cycles. However MINI has been anything but consistent with this five year life-cycle for the R50/R53 and the proposed 10 year life-span of the F56. And it’s not just the F56 as longer model life-cycles are looking like a reality for both BMW and MINI. The issue is the volatility of the industry due in large part to the rise of electrification and autonomy.
We know MINI has already headed down this path with the current small generation of cars moving to a 10 year cycle. In MINI’s case it allows the GWM partnership to develop fully and for electrification to become more mature. This delay will however force BMW to roll-out another LCI update to the range to keep buyers interested.
For BMW this approach is attractive as the company looks to navigate a changing industry. The first vehicle to get this longer life-cycle will be the i3 which should end production in 2023. This gives BMW enough time to finalize its FAAR WE platform expected to underpin fully electric versions of the 1 and 2 series along with the Countryman and other large MINIs.
We could also imagine other recently introduced products taking advantage of this approach as well with 2-3 LCI’s throughout their lives. Look for more concrete information in the coming months and BMW finalizes plans.
<p>The F56 Hatch, like the i3, will likely have its life extended until 2023. According to chief designer Oliver Heilmer in a recent interview while discussing the next small all-electric MINI, he said “We are having weekly discussions on how to improve interior space and reduce the car’s footprint. It’s not solved yet. Maybe next year”.</p>
<p>He went on to say that even with an all-electric car, “you still need to build a crash box”, referring to the progressively deformable and substantial structure around the powertrain, and “crash performance is the bigger issue”. Another challenge dealing with an electric motor is that it “might keep running in a post crash situation”.</p>
<p>Heilmer was able to provide a bit of detail on how space efficiency – and proportions – might improve, with news that MINI is considering a new type of energy-absorbent foam between the front bumper skin and the crash bar to reduce front overhang, something that has been much criticised in the current Hatch.</p>
<p>Particularly interesting was Heilmer’s comment that with future MINIs the designers are reconsidering the MINI’s “iconic features”, adding: “the face recognition is very important, but the tail-lights may not stay iconic. The clamshell hood is not a necessary must-have and the toggle switches inside are being re-evaluated”.</p>
<p>Finally, Oliver Heilmer hinted that the replacement for the current Clubman will be larger and more SUV than Wagon, and could be even larger than the next Countryman. This fits well with previous insider reveals that the Clubman replacement, the rumored Spaceman, will be sister car to the next generation BMW 2-series Active Tourer.</p>
<p>F56 MÜ2 appears to be targeted for late 2020 – early 2021. No major hardware changes appear to be in store.</p>