It looks as if the Mini stable could get a little more crowded. Inside Line reports that Mini's parent, BMW, may be considering a number of new models, including yet another CUV, a sports car, and a four-door. The additions, if they're all greenlit, would bump the Mini line to a total of 10 variants. According to Harald Kreuger, a recently appointed brand board member, the company is also considering a new model positioned below the current Cooper. Such a creation would likely borrow heavily from the Rocketman Concept we saw at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

And what of this sports car? IL reports the machine is envisioned as a rival to the Mazda MX-5 Miata, and would carry both a price tag and a fun-to-drive factor to match. We doubt Mini is interested in dabbling in rear-wheel drive, however.

The report says the sedan would be more important in overseas markets like China. Mini says sales are doing well in the People's Republic, and that if they maintain their upward momentum, the figures could top the U.S. numbers. Head over to Inside Line to check out the full report.

Seriously, MINI? Seriously? Peanut gallery commentary at Autoblog...

 

Oh dear, I hope not..

 

The sedan, in particular, does make a lot of sense. Especially for the China market.

The FWD open-topped sports car, not as much. Check the fates of cars like the Mercury Capri (early 90s), the Honda Del Sol, and so on. MINI and BMW might be able to pull it off, but I wouldn't hold my breath. And I wouldn't commit the money to it if I were them.

I'd be interested to see what they could bring out as the sub-Hardtop. I don't know if the market is there for it, though. It's the one of the lot that I would be interested in getting for myself, but I know I'm not exactly a typical auto buyer.

 

I'm VERY interested in a "sub Cooper" model. I've always gravitated toward the smaller, more fuel efficient type car. Also, to me it would be more of a step towards re-creating the original Mini experience.

 

IMHO, Mini should be kept to a two car line up; hatch and convertible, sold at BMW dealerships. Then they wouldn't have to soil the brand with all of these new concoctions to justify having their own dealerships.

 

+1

 

"Soil the brand" -- now that's just silly. I know for a fact that I'm not the only one who would never have purchased the hatch or convertible. Always liked the front end look, never the squared off rear end. If not for the Countryman, Clubman, Coupe and Roadster the MINI brand may have gone away.

 

Well I suppose it's all subjective.....I do however disagree with your assessment that the brand would have gone away...

 

As someone who now owns, and LOVES to drive, an '84 Mini, I really hope MINI brings out a new smaller car that hearkens back to the original. I can only imagine it would be far more of a driver's car than the Smart or iQ, or even the Fiat 500. Those cars have such an upright stance, I always feel like it's about to fall over. I know US safety standards prevent stripping cars out too much, but hey if Lotus can do it, MINI can do it.