The new platform will give Mini “scope to be far more adventurous” on spin-off model derivatives, according to BMW sales and marketing boss Ian Robertson. Among these new models, there could be a car even bigger than the Mini Countryman crossover, the exec added.
“The Countryman is 4m 17cm [164.2 inches] and when we launched it we were very conscious that we had to remain true to the Mini brand. But sales of 100,000 Countrymans a year show that it has been a success, and that we are capable of more,” the executive was quoted as saying by Autocar.
So what exactly does he mean by “more”? There are some limits for a brand like Mini, Robertson believes. “I'm not sure we could sell a 5m [196.8in] Mini. But so long as we remain true to the principles of it being very much an urban car, with a good turning circle, a decent size to park and so on then I think there are areas we can explore,” the exec explained.
It looks like the only way for Mini is to go bigger, as Robertson said smaller models than the Mini hatch are off-limits, since they would have to be based on an all-new platform – which would be very expensive to develop. Sadly, this means the Mini Rocketman concept will probably be shelved forever.
By Dan Mihalascu
But wait, you say; isn't that what the first ever five-door Mini hatchback that we showed you on Thursday is for? Well, the new Clubman will be the longer estate version of the third generation Mini lineup, and to further differentiate it from the 5-door car, it will retain the current model's split rear-door (hinged on the sides) format
It remains to be seen how much more room or practicality the Clubman will add over its hatchback brethren with which it will share the same interior, platform and range of turbocharged diesel and gasoline engines.
The Clubman will be the third model to be added in range after the three-door hatch, and the upcoming five-door and soft-top convertible editions.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS
Now, you can get ready for another extension to the range as Mini is readying a lengthier five-door version of its new generation hatchback, which was revealed in three-door form earlier this month at the Tokyo and Los Angeles motor shows.
Mini's first ever five-door variant of the hatch (the Countryman is considered a crossover) was captured by our spies in Cooper S trim. It comes with regular rear doors as well as a longer wheelbase to improve rear passenger space and practicality.
Besides the bigger body, everything else will be shared with the 3-door Mini hatch, including the brand's new range of three- and four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines.
We should see the production car debut at one of next year's international motor shows.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS
However, AutoExpress magazine reviewer Matthew Watson got inside the new Mini, where he noticed some interesting changes have been made. The quality is better thanks to softer plastics and better looking material, with a more upscale feel overall.
Some buttons have changed position (the window switches are now on the doors), while the huge round central display no longer shows the speed, with all the relevant driving information moved to the motorcycle-style instruments behind the steering wheel.
Some things never change in a Mini, however: although there’s more space in the back than before, it’s still cramped. Scroll down to find what else is new about the latest Mini hatch.
By Dan Mihalascu
Since North America is Mini’s largest market, the LA show is an important venue for the BMW-owned carmaker. Mini sold more than 55,000 cars on the continent this year and looks set for a new sales record next year. That’s where the new 2015 Mini hatch comes in, as the core model is expected to help increase sales.
To do that, the new Mini is longer, wider and taller, promising a roomier interior – especially for rear passengers. The design may not have changed very much, but there are important changes under the metal.
Based on BMW’s newly developed UKL1 platform, the new Mini is available with a new generation of 1.5-liter 3-cylinder and 2.0-liter 4-cylinder twin-turbocharged gasoline engines.
At launch, customers will have three options: the Mini Cooper with 134HP (136PS) from the 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine, the Mini Cooper S with 189HP (192PS) from the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and Mini Cooper D with 114HP (116PS) from a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder diesel engine. All three models are offered as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox (a six-speed auto is optional).
Obviously, the fastest of the lot is the Cooper S (0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds), while the most economical is the Cooper D, with 3.5 – 3.6 liters/100 km (67.2 - 65.3 mpg US) and 92 – 95 g of CO2/km (dependent on tire format selected).
The new Mini Cooper is priced from €19,700 ($26,525) in Germany, while the Cooper D and Cooper S start from €21,450 ($28,882) and €23,800 ($32,050), respectively. Prices in the U.S. will be announced closer to launch.
By Andrei Nedelea
