What the heck is Mini thinking?
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,880
Likes: 3
From: Your Worst Nightmare :)
I learned a lot from that article. As long as it was, I found every word of it fascinating. I didn't realize just how global my little global MINI really is!
Let's see, ...it was concieved and partly developed by Rover in England, styled by an American BMW employee, packaged by a British engineer, originally developed to use a small-displacement Japanese (Kei) engine...then a BMW motorcycle engine, finally ending up with a German-developed engine of American origin (Chrysler) which itself was built in Brazil, originally using a British Midlands transmission and Rover-derived steering. At times the development was done entirely by BMW in Germany, then abandoned by them and taken over in England, only to be re-taken over in the end by BMW for final development! The car was first shown in Paris France, sitting on an Italian Fiat Punto chassis. The car is built in Oxford England, and now the second gen version's "Prince" engine is of French Peugot origin. Did I leave anyone out?
Let's see, ...it was concieved and partly developed by Rover in England, styled by an American BMW employee, packaged by a British engineer, originally developed to use a small-displacement Japanese (Kei) engine...then a BMW motorcycle engine, finally ending up with a German-developed engine of American origin (Chrysler) which itself was built in Brazil, originally using a British Midlands transmission and Rover-derived steering. At times the development was done entirely by BMW in Germany, then abandoned by them and taken over in England, only to be re-taken over in the end by BMW for final development! The car was first shown in Paris France, sitting on an Italian Fiat Punto chassis. The car is built in Oxford England, and now the second gen version's "Prince" engine is of French Peugot origin. Did I leave anyone out?
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Pottstown, PA
The picture is old (90's) Rover design prototype for the "New" Mini they were planning before BMW bought them. I don't think what BMW comes up with will look anything like that...other than being short.
There are quite a few people (mainly in the UK) that hate the new MINI's because they're "massive" compared to the old ones. (And b/c a German company is making a historically British car...) I think a more "classically" sized MINI would be a great addition to the brand. It's possible it may not make it to the states anyway...
There are quite a few people (mainly in the UK) that hate the new MINI's because they're "massive" compared to the old ones. (And b/c a German company is making a historically British car...) I think a more "classically" sized MINI would be a great addition to the brand. It's possible it may not make it to the states anyway...
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 38,578
Likes: 2
I agree...or else at some point MINI risks not living up to it's own name and becoming something of a joke, trapped in it's own iconic straightjacket. In many regards this may already be happening as Toyota's iQ represents the kind of small-scale packaging and technical innovation that made the Minis great in the first place....and they are a blast to drive! MINI said R50 was as small as one could go while passing all safety standards? Whatever...it is being done by others, and it should be being done by MINI, too. If BMW spins off their iSetta brand I sure hope MINI is part of the whole deal or I fear MINI (and what that brand used to represent) will lose its relevance.
Last edited by gokartride; Jun 9, 2010 at 10:15 AM.
Neutral
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: CLUBMANIA
Aren't we the snobby ones with our R56s and calling the original Mini "the original Mini Cooper." As anyone who knows their Mini history knows, NOT ALL OF THE ORIGINAL MINIS WERE COOPERS. In fact, there was NO Mini Cooper until 1961 (even though Minis were produced starting in 1959.
Let's all just get over ourselves. Especially those of us who have never even seen a "Classic Mini" let alone driven one.
To a "Classic" Mini enthusiast, the BMW MINI is an abomination. Clue in and get used to changes or get run over.
Let's all just get over ourselves. Especially those of us who have never even seen a "Classic Mini" let alone driven one.
To a "Classic" Mini enthusiast, the BMW MINI is an abomination. Clue in and get used to changes or get run over.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Sweetwater, Tn
I am a classic Mini enthusiast as well as a "BMW" Mini enthusiast. I view the current Minis as Progress and love mine. Nothing wrong with Mini trying to reverse engineer the current subject to open a different Mini market. I don't believe they will have this look when it comes about. I remember seeing these pics in '99 as the build up to the release of the current Mini was growing. Sounds like people are getting angry as if they are going to replace the current Mini with this. Don't think so!
I still can not believe this is being discussed. The design here was a concept from the late 90s with what Rover wanted the new MINI to look like. Thank God BMW snatched it out of their hands becuase the would have sunk the brand before it became what it is today.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 38,578
Likes: 2
As it is, I think BMW has latched onto a certain portions of the Mini-DNA, but let go of many others. These will eventually be picked up by other makers, and so that precious Mini-DNA will be dispersed well beyond the MINI brand. Why, just the other day I heard Sir Alec's achivement with Mini mentioned in the same sentence as the Toyota iQ!
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