[Ignite]

http://www.carbc.com/modules.php?op=...rder=0&thold=0

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[MiNi]

i don't know i don't fall for non of that i think there should be just a mini cooper thats it.. i mean it like have beetle SUV. that stupid

[AprilWhine]

Hubby would trade his Rendezvous for either the truck or SUV in a second, especially if it comes in an S version!

[ches]

Well, actually, it seems to me that BMW specifically wanted MINI to serve new market segments. For example, I doubt that BMW would ever get away with marketing a front wheel drive car as a BMW.

I think their next product offering is obvious: a MINI-van! Something much smaller, and more efficient than what's currently offered in the marketplace. Something analogous to today's market to what the original VW Microbus (kombi) was in its day. It probably would not look anything like the funny pictures above. But it would have to be fun and stylish like the new MINI.

In Japan and Korea there are lots of funky little buslike vehicles which I think would be a smash hit if they could be made fun to drive and able to pass Euro & US safety standards.

I dunno, am I out to lunch? Is this idea totally offensive to the Mini purists out there?

[Deuce Coop]

BMW would never build new showrooms and service centers with the intent of offering two versions of one car only. That would be like VW making seperate showrooms for the bug. MINI is the brand and they will surely have other models to market under the MINI brand. Look at Saturn when they came out they had one car with only a couple of different trims. Now they have seperate lines and even an SUV (VUE, sorry)

As for the microbus VW has a prototype and is thinking about proucing it (in the 30k range)

Would there be a market for a very small van? In Europe Opel has a vehicle by the name of the Agilla(sp), any comments to how well it sells over there?

[chiph]

My dad called me last night, and told me that he read that because of the unexpected popularity of the MINI, BMW will reach break-even on it much sooner than they expected. Part of the speed in reaching break-even is that more people are ordering high-margin options (like the Cooper S, and Sport Pkg, etc).

So variants like a convertible, SUV, Pickup, etc. are being actively considered.

Chip H.

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by chiph
My dad called me last night, and told me that he read that because of the unexpected popularity of the MINI, BMW will reach break-even on it much sooner than they expected. Part of the speed in reaching break-even is that more people are ordering high-margin options (like the Cooper S, and Sport Pkg, etc).

So variants like a convertible, SUV, Pickup, etc. are being actively considered.

Chip H.

Sounds like your dad read the link from here:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...threadid=13113

[chiph]

USA Today is not dad's style. More like The Economist.

They probably referenced the same source for their info.

Chip H.

[minimaster]

This is NOT a photoshop Image, note the extended rear end... this is a prototype for Mini Production

[chiph]

The gas tank flap is on the other side!

Because moving the flap requires new federal safety tests, either BMW is really serious about this, or it's a photoshop'ed image after all.

Not real keen on the chrome "ski" bar on the back. Should be diamond plate on the tailgate for a more serious look.

Chip H.

[Paul]

It is an obvious photoshop job in my opinion.

And it's based on this press BMW shot of a MINI One:

(Click on the thumbnail for the fullsize version)

[Dom]

Copied it into Paint Shop Pro... looks like a photoshop to me...

Wheel and bodywork shadow seems off... fuel cap is just horrible wrong... door doesn't line up and there's something wonky about the reg plate.

Looks good though!

Dom

[Paul]

It's bloomin' obvious.

Look at the original in my post above!

[minimaster]

Should have known... this is why I love these forums...

Pic was forwarded to me stating it was NOT Photoshopped..... should have been a dead give-away... but I was so eager to believe in the pickup concept after MINI had stated it's a possible variant.

Check this out...

Could it be the MINI SUV?

[Paul]

That'll be the Spiritual concept that was shown to the public, but lost out to the MINI we all know and love in the 'design contest' stages. As did a couple of other prototypes once shown on this site, but then, unfortunately, removed.

[bigahead]

pretty sure that the picture minimaster is showing is just another wrongly badged car. I swear (sorry ladies) that i've seen such a car on holiday in the med. Mainly driven by the elderly and young. Is it a Kia, or a battery car?

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul_Mullett
That'll be the Spiritual concept that was shown to the public, but lost out to the MINI we all know and love in the 'design contest' stages. As did a couple of other prototypes once shown on this site, but then, unfortunately, removed.

As Paul says, these were design studies of what the 'new Mini' might have become, had that design been selected way back in 1995. Several years later, in Spring of 1997, these two concept cars were dusted off and put on display at auto shows to help build up excitement for the September 1997 preview of the MINI design that became the car we love.

Please note that they are NOT at all SUV-sized. The "Spiritual" concept shown in the foreground was the same length as the classic Mini - 10 feet long - or almost 2 feet shorter than the new MINI !!