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Quote: Originally Posted by ironbutter (original)

They didn't bring all those variations to the States, but the ones I recall were all clearly based off the classic Mini's essential platform. I don't recall them borrowing an entirely different chassis from something else and changing the coachwork so it resembled Mini styling. Like I said I'm not familiar with all of those so I may be mistaken. That's what seems to be going on here.

Fair point. Although the Moke was a completely different chassis but blighted with Mini mechanicals. (You can buy a new chassis from China to restore a Moke!!)

FYI The pickup and van were a longer wheelbase - usefully, it took them up into the next class in gymkhanas/motorkhanas/whatever you call them, where the pickup in particular was super competitive (front drive, no rear weight). The estate was also the long wheelbase, as was the Countryman if that's the woody version. The Riley and Wolseley were unspeakably stupid Minis-with-a-boot. The Clubman was a facelift - longer nose and square tail-lights.

BMW is building MINI into a brand in its own right, which I think is a good thing. I think it's the character more than the platform itself that defines the MINI. So even if they share a platform between, say, the X1 and the MINI 4WD, as long as they're smart enough to imbue the latter with MINI character (and I think they are), that works for me. People don't care if an Audi TT shares its platform with a Seat or VW Caddy, as long as the TT drives like a sports car.