Like I commented on the link below; it's a sad day when Mini has to make a "mini" because their Mini is now grotesquely bloated. And worse they have to team up with Toyota because they forgot how to make small cars...
http://www.motoringfile.com/2015/02/...ar/#more-39123

 

While larger I wouldn't say it's grotesque. Also, if you lift the bonnet of the new F model, there is even less room under there than that in the R53 possibly indicating it was a matter of engine first, and wrap something around that.....

I hope to have a 3cyl F model some day soon. Sounds like that may just be the engine of choice to mod in the future

 

"because they forgot how to make small cars..."

They probably team up because they can spread the development costs between two companies and make more profit, not because they forgot. Everything is bottom line net profit.

 

"Because they forgot..." Still creates a funny mental picture of a bunch of engineers sitting around with slide rules scratching their heads.

 

Auto manufacturers have been teaming together for a long time. The latest I'm aware of is the joint effort by Subaru/Toyota for the Scion FR-S and the Subaru BRZ. If Toyota and BMW can bring out another car that gives me more to choose from, the more power to them.

 

The reasons MINIs are now bigger than they were in 2002 is because that is what people are buying.

 

Cars also have to be larger to accommodate more mandatory safety technology and to pass crash tests in different countries/ continents, which is the reason the front end of the F56 is so much larger and has a much larger overhang, the European pedestrian safety standards it had to pass to legally be sold. But regardless the car is SMALL, I mean my first car was a clubman and when I park it next to my F56, my F56 is much smaller. Also, I think them partnering up with Toyota is a great idea, I mean as long as Toyota has no say in the design of the car or the suspension, but a reliable engine would be nice in a MINI.

 

Believe it or not Suzuki manufactures about a million more cars a year than BMW, they have built 22 different models for GM, 8 different models for Mazda, 3 different models for Nissan, 2 Models for Mitsubishi, and 1 model for Subaru. It's no doubt Toyota wants in on that action.

 

Keep in mind that this partnership is one of economics as well. MINI will not create a platform usable for one model, especially when that model will not be it's biggest seller. They would never sell enough to make it worth the R&D money it would cost to bring it to production. But if they can spread the cost with Toyota, who would also be able to use that platform for one or more of their own models, it makes sense. Between the two manufacturers, they could recoup the costs.

 

My previous cars were a Honda CRX and a Porsche 914.

My R56 is the biggest car I've ever owned. :D

 

I have an excellent Toyota IQ, fantastic little car and way overpriced (30.OOO $ incl taxes for the 13OO)here in Belgium.Production stopped.

 

I'm excited about a smaller car, and welcome a partnership with a company that has a better track record for reliability. My frustration with the F models is not so much the size, it's that they are ugly. I agree with gray raven that they have engineering and safety challenges to style around, but every car manufacturer does.

 

My second car was an Abarth, so my two R55's and F56 have been my biggest cars too, LOL!

 

I tend to agree.

It will also be interesting to learn more about the Lexus LF-SA being shown in Geneva. Those used to looking at MINIs may cringe at the looks but, beneath the skin, both the iQ and this new concept show Toyota has some knowhow in going small while meeting the requisite safety standards. That bodes well for MINI who has clearly demonstrated they know how to build a car that is fun and engaging, knowhow Toyota somehow seems to have trouble attaining.

 

Surely Toyota is better than having anything at all from Peugeot

 

^This^