Point me to one car (other than the Morgan) currently in production that has been in production continuously for 20+ years. The only ones I can think of are cars that have kept the same NAME, but the car itself has been completely redesigned many times. Heck, some have even gone from RWD to FWD!

Morgan is a special case, because they know their customers demand styling from the 1940s.

 

Nissan Sentra B13 is still production being sold to South American markets for starters.

 

And the fact that the classic Mini had a forty year run. And add the fact that BMW markets the Mini as being different. Not just another car. I mean I realize that's all marketing BS, but one would like to think that the'd try a little harder instead of just jumping on the same 5-7 year upgrade treadmill that a hundred other undistinguished car models run on. That it's not going to "grow up" to be another land yacht like the Civic or Golf. Cars which, I remind you, enthusiast drivers were once, years ago, passionate about. And today they're just appliances. Part of the furniture.

I do concede that the 2nd gen did gain another star for in both the Adult and Pedestrian categories in EU crash testing, and in the US it improved by one star in rollover and side crashes. So the additional three inches did yield tangible safety improvements.

But the fact remains that BMW cannot simultaneously manage this brand as if it were just another generic car line while also pretending it is special. One or the other.

 

And that is why all cars have ballooned out in the last 30 years. It is all the safety and technological crap they cram into them. On top of people wanting a bigger car but not willing to go up to the next level. Cheap *** Americans.

 

As I said earlier, the Fiat 500, which debuted in 2007, the same year as the Gen 2 Mini, scored the same number of stars in EU tests as the Gen 2. 5/5 for Adults, and 4/4 for Pedestrian crashes. With a 6.5 inch shorter wheelbase, and a 6 inch shorter length, and two inches less width. And about 400 lbs less curb weight.

The Mini offers a more solid feel on stiffer, heftier chassis than the 500. And a larger back seat. The Mini does not offer greater safety. There's a list of other ultra small cars in Europe that also score high on safety; not only the 500.

So you can pin all this to safety if you really want to, but where is the evidence? The crash tests tell a different story.

The Mini is larger than comparable cars because BMW had other goals: rear seat comfort, and an expensive-feeling ride. Safety explains why Gen 2 is larger than Gen 1, but safety is not the reason the New Mini is so big. They could have scaled it quite a bit smaller if they had been willing to do so, and still get the targeted safety score. Very small cars are possible in the modern world, but the customer has to be willing to settle for less luxury and comfort.

 

Ya that smaller size also equates to a car that does not perform as well as the MINI either.
And if you compare the original 500 and Cooper the 500 is 4 inches shorter so the stayed the same.

 

Interesting, I did not know that!

Still, I can't think of any that are sold here in the US. Perhaps that reinforces the point about what Americans want? Hmm...

 

Its people's insatiable need for something new. Nothing is ever good enough.

 

Wow, you have people all figured out. Thanks for generalizing.

 

Are these photos at all trustable?
http://autosus.blogspot.com/2011/06/...spy-photo.html




Tail lights remind me of a HHR

 

hhhhmmm... thy camouflaged it so well

 

is that a clubman like third door I see?

 

That's what I was thinking!

 

I really hope not. Its great on the clubby, but it ruins the flavor of the hardtop.

 

The other reason that cars change every 5-7 years is because they want YOU to buy another one. They understand that if you LOVE your car, that you are more likely to buy another one if it has changed (upgraded). Most people want something new, and even if you LOVE your car, the chances of you buying a 2018 Mini (@2018 prices) is almost none if it is the exact same car as your 2008.

Brand loyalty is a big deal to car makers once you get out of the bargain cars (Honda does not care if you come and get another Honda Fit, they do want you to stay int he Accord family), and as soon as your current car gets a little long in the tooth, they hope you love it so much you come and check out the new one.

That is why the refresh rate on cars is about the same as the lifespan of most daily drivers... the cheaper the car, the faster the refresh rate.

 

No
http://www.motoringfile.com/2011/08/...-the-new-mini/

Original post
http://www.motoringfile.com/2011/06/...he-first-time/

Yep I hate people breh.