MINI Triumph?

[Tstag]

Hi nice forum. This is my first post so here goes. I heard from a fairly reliable source that BMW's Californian design studios have been designing a Triumph Sportscar (along the lines of the TR5) on the MINI floorpan. Apparantly BMW may be considering moving MINI into it's own showrooms and selling a new range of Triumph's alongside. The new Triumph's would also share many of MINI's components. Now I'm fairly desparate to own a new Triumph, particually if it's designed as well as the new MINI's. I'm so keen I've already saved a deposit, just in case. Does anyone know if BMW plan to make this car or is it all just a pipe dream? I really want one...

[s1500]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tstag (original)

Hi nice forum. This is my first post so here goes. I heard from a fairly reliable source that BMW's Californian design studios have been designing a Triumph Sportscar (along the lines of the TR5) on the MINI floorpan. Apparantly BMW may be considering moving MINI into it's own showrooms and selling a new range of Triumph's alongside. The new Triumph's would also share many of MINI's components. Now I'm fairly desparate to own a new Triumph, particually if it's designed as well as the new MINI's. I'm so keen I've already saved a deposit, just in case. Does anyone know if BMW plan to make this car or is it all just a pipe dream? I really want one...

I own a '79 Spitfire and an 02 'S. My first reaction is "nooooo!". But this could be interesting. If it does take off, and it drives up the price of original Triumphs, I can sell my Spitfire for more!

[AprilWhine]

I used to own a 79 Spitfire, it was my favorite car till my first MINI. This could be interesting...

[Hat]

its feasible

[CC07ERS]

my dream classic ia s triumph stag with the original 3ltr engine bring back a classic name

[Humourl3ss]

If it uses a MINI floorpan and drivetrain it would not, by definition, be a sports car since that would require a RWD platform.

[Trotti]

If BMW were to make a new Triumph sports car then surely they would use the rwd Z4 platform and just design a new body, saving them a huge amount on development.

[Hyper Active]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tstag (original)

Hi nice forum. This is my first post so here goes. I heard from a fairly reliable source that BMW's Californian design studios have been designing a Triumph Sportscar (along the lines of the TR5) on the MINI floorpan. Apparantly BMW may be considering moving MINI into it's own showrooms and selling a new range of Triumph's alongside. The new Triumph's would also share many of MINI's components. Now I'm fairly desparate to own a new Triumph, particually if it's designed as well as the new MINI's. I'm so keen I've already saved a deposit, just in case. Does anyone know if BMW plan to make this car or is it all just a pipe dream? I really want one...

I have read that there will be a sportscar using the MINI floor pan and components, but that they have changed there minds about calling it Triumph. It said they still plan to release this 2 seat sportscar but badged as a MINI instead.

[Humourl3ss]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trotti (original)

If BMW were to make a new Triumph sports car then surely they would use the rwd Z4 platform and just design a new body, saving them a huge amount on development.

Why not just use a 1-series floorplan instead? Smaller and more in keeping with a traditional sports car image. Just lop the top off, delete the rear seat and give it some new sheetmetal.

[Tstag]

Well the latest is that a MINI SUV could be on the way as well as a MINI 'Maxi'. This will use a versatile floorpan that can take 4wd technology. Therefore I supect a RWD Triumph or a Triumph 'Quatro' is entierly feasable....


Personally I think it would be better to relaunch the Triumph brand on a Sportscar than to use the MINI brand simply because MINI will need to survive in separate showrooms to BMW. Having a sister brand that coud eventually spawn a new Dolomite or a new 2000 would be good news for the dealers and good news for their customers. MINI may be a little bit vulnerable if it has to support an entire dealer network all by itself....

[DDon670]

There is an article that discusses this exact proposal in the Nov./Dec issue of MC2.

[twalling]

This topic was closely watched by the Triumph crowd since it surfaced as a rumour late last Summer. There was even talk about an announcement from BMW at an event this Fall (didn't happen ). The story is that the US dealers weren't happy about BMW creating more competiton for them by reviving another defunct marque.

I belong to both "tribes" as I also have a TR3A and a TR6 and have been active in Triumph clubs for many years now. I just got my SB/S 2006 MC in October 2006 and have been having a blast ever since learning about the car and the lively community of owners here in cyber-space.

It's too bad that the market for LBCs isn't strong enough to support both MINI and Triumph.

[dalboyne]

Bring it on, I say!

My first ever car was a Triumph 1300 (FWD, even had real wood on the dashboard and doors). I always hankered after a Triumph Herald Convertible, but by the time I could afford one, it was totally impractical. So I have a MINI Cabrio for the moment.....but prepared to consider the alternatives!

Ian