MINI may be working on even smaller model

[1931Chevy]

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/m...smaller-model/


var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/design/MINI_may_be_working_on_even_smaller_model'; What could possibly be smaller than a MINI? We're likely to find out in a few years as Motoring File reports that BMW is in the early stages of developing an even smaller model to join the MINI lineup around 2011 or 2012. The Bavarian automaker needs a new ultra small car to improve its corporate average CO2 emissions, but such a vehicle wouldn't jive with the BMW brand image. Enter MINI, which is now adding the larger Clubman model to its lineup, but will likely find itself with an even smaller car to help out its parent company. Motoring File surmises such a car could cost as little as £8,500, or about £2,000 to £3,000 less than the least expensive MINI on the market now, the MINI One (see gallery below).

A smaller MINI may actually move the retro brand closer to the car from which it sprung, the original MINI Cooper. The current car resembles the original in appearance, but is considerably larger, even more so since the second gen. debuted. The original MINI developed by Sir Alec Issigonis (on a napkin, no less) was only as large as it absolutely needed to be. It would be great to see today's MINI pumping out vehicles that adhered to that standard again.

[t-rex]

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And for the love of all that is holy, let somebody BRITISH design the damn thing. Nothing spells "cold and heartless" more loudly than a Teutonic designer. My heart cries for what those huns did to my beloved "brick"!

And for most Americans who are unaware of the original, it was about 3/4 the size of the current Mini, if that!

The 60s models, with the sliding windows and HUGE door pockets were my favorites. Minis were popular cars in my childhood home of South Africa, and were well-known for their "tossability" and incredible fun-to-drive factor! It transcended all class and ethnic (Afrikaners typically HATED British cars) boundaries.

The current heap pays NO homage to the original. It's "boutique" marketing in an egregiously insulting way.

[T-Type]

Well I would hope so. The new Mini is nice in its own way, but it is a bloated pig in comparison to the original. The original Mini was a masterpiece of packaging. For such a small car it has unbelieveable interior space.

[chaseabryant]

sounds cool. I wonder if it is going to be something along the lines of a Smart, or something that is sort of between the Smart and the current Cooper. Either way, it will be interesting to see how the styling carries over.

-Chase

[ChevroletRevived]

You're going to see this happening a lot in the future, for two reasons. Mainly, the requirements for CAFE. But also because of fuel prices; people are starting to want smaller more fuel efficient cars in America.

[paul8488]

Was out for a walk last night and saw a new 500 in the Fiat dealers window. A smaller Mini would be fine, but I don't know why anyone would buy it when they can have a 500 (that is smaller outside than the current Mini but apparently has similar room inside).

[chaseabryant]

I do have to admit Paul, I think that the new 500 is a pretty nifty little thing

-Chase

[HoeyHimself]

Originally Posted by T-Type

Well I would hope so. The new Mini is nice in its own way, but it is a bloated pig in comparison to the original. The original Mini was a masterpiece of packaging. For such a small car it has unbelieveable interior space.

Keep in mind that the doors on them were about as thick as a deck of cards, same goes for the rest of the body.

[Bravada]

Under Rover, there were some interesting Mini prototypes developed, keeping in line with the original Mini's philosophy:


This was a yeare before the Smart! Well, in the end the new MINI grew out of the MGF-based ACV30, Rover got THIS:



...while Daimler, and the Mitsubishi, exploited the rear-engined modern minicar niche. Perhaps BMW is not giving up after all, though...

You can read on on the MINI dev't story here
http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?r50storyf.htm

[atomicshark]

It could be called the Mini Nano.

[solman98]

Originally Posted by atomicshark

It could be called the Mini Nano.

Or Micro Mini......

But how much smaller can it go and still be safe by today's standards?

[tamatt27]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Under Rover, there were some interesting Mini prototypes developed, keeping in line with the original Mini's philosophy:


This was a yeare before the Smart! Well, in the end the new MINI grew out of the MGF-based ACV30, Rover got THIS:



...while Daimler, and the Mitsubishi, exploited the rear-engined modern minicar niche. Perhaps BMW is not giving up after all, though...

You can read on on the MINI dev't story here
http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?r50storyf.htm

Wow, that's a huge steering wheel!

[Elk]

I guess I could see them making it a little shorter and cheaper by taking out the back seat and replacing the IRS with a twist-beam rear suspension. But I don’t see how they could possibly make it as small as the original. The safety standards are just too high.

[likearock00]

Originally Posted by solman98

Or Micro Mini......

But how much smaller can it go and still be safe by today's standards?

I agree. I would be very hesitant buying something even smaller than the current Mini. There's just so much you can do to provide a safe vehicle in such a small package. The forces of nature are always going to win- and you will lose!

[T-Type]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Under Rover, there were some interesting Mini prototypes developed, keeping in line with the original Mini's philosophy:

Wow those are pretty nice. They should have been the new Mini.