[Joogle]

With all the news about the new model the one question that a lot of my co-workers ask is when is the saloon model coming out.

Many of them have fond memories of the Hornet/Elf models and think that the new car would look good as a saloon.

Any idea if the saloon is on the cards? is it going to be a 3 or 5 door?

Would love to see Riley & Wolsley return.
We have Cooper for the sporty MINI models, the Wolsley could be the luxury trim version and the Elf could be the introductory level model.

Anyone else think that a Saloon should be made?

[Rakey]

actually now you put it like that, it wouldn't be a bad idea to bring them back, but I can't see them been high on MINI's planned variations, as to be honest there are only so many MINI buyers out there, and a range can only stretch so far.

I'd imagine that they would be affraid of dilluting the range and and just spreading sales rather than gaining new sales with such models.

[Joogle]

The saloon would appeal to an older age range than the current models. It also would offer an alternative to the hatch/traveller for those wanting more boot space.
And it would also fit in with MINI's plans to expand the range.

Lets face it BMW's plans with the 1 series did not really seem to go to plan and they need a 'introductory level' saloon for Golf money. This would be a good way of introducing a range that people have good memories of. (With reduced design/setup costs)

Besides I would love to see what MINI could do to the rear end.......

[Joogle]

Just thought of something else.

The cabriolet was in line for some stick because it did not have a folding tin top.
If they were to do a saloon surely they could then offer a coupe/cabriolet?

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Joogle (original)

Just thought of something else.

The cabriolet was in line for some stick because it did not have a folding tin top.
If they were to do a saloon surely they could then offer a coupe/cabriolet?

TBH I prefer the ragtop, its more in keeping with classic mini design, and I don't really like things like the 206cc etc...

[dalboyne]

And what about a MINI Moke? Maybe even as a "pocket 4WD"?

[Joogle]

Agree with you on that one. Seen any of the Heinz 57 Hornets?
Mini Saloon with a Ragtop - great fun.

Thing is they could offer the drop top in two forms and keep most people happy.

Thought the Moke was already on the cards?
Always thought that a 4X4 jacked up Mini would look a lot like a Rav 4.
But if they got the Moke concept right.....

[Harpo]

There is absolutely no chance of a saloon version, simply because there is no market for small saloons per se.

You may remember that the Vauxhall Nova spawned a saloon... you don't??? Exactly.

Back in the days when the Elf/Hornet were rolling off the production line, there was no such thing as a hatchback, and thus a boot extension was a viable proposition as a load lugger.

No, these days small saloons belong in Photoshop only.

A Moke would be fun though - assuming it could get past the H&S police.

[Joogle]

If they were to do a Hornet or Elf I am sure it would be saloon shape but with a full hatchback.

Look at the Fabia and 306 Saloons - they did not sell because it was a boot restricting access. Hence the estates came out and sales took off. If you can combine practically and extra space without estate looks there is an area of the market waiting to be filled.

Corsa saloons a bit of a bad example to use though, I mean its a vauxhall.......

[jordan]

ive never heard people call saloons in the uk!

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by jordan (original)

ive never heard people call saloons in the uk!

Surely 4 door booted cars have always been saloons in the UK?

What else are they called?

[Joogle]

Ford, Vauxhall, Peugeot etc have them in their ranges? never heard them called anything else?

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Joogle (original)

Ford, Vauxhall, Peugeot etc have them in their ranges? never heard them called anything else?

Peugeot 306 was called Sedan and previous model Renault Megane was called Classic (why? how?) but other than that most makes don't bother with an actual name (although the Ford Escort was called Orion for a bit!) for 4 door variants, they are just known as Saloons...

BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar, Lexus (all manufacturers not exactly famous for their hatchbacks) refer to their non-estate cars as Saloons.

[jordan]

sedan is used is the usa not here in the uk

[jordan]

sorry i getting mixed up with saloon and sedan ! as i said above sedan isnt used in the uk

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by jordan (original)

ive never heard people call saloons in the uk!

Quote: Originally Posted by jordan (original)

sedan is used is the usa not here in the uk

No argument there, but how come you've never heard them referred to as 'saloons' in the UK?

[Joogle]

Quote: Originally Posted by jordan (original)

sorry i getting mixed up with saloon and sedan ! as i said above sedan isnt used in the uk

Peugeot used it on the 306 and then dropped it. The 406 is now a Saloon, estate or Coupe.

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by jordan (original)

sorry i getting mixed up with saloon and sedan ! as i said above sedan isnt used in the uk

Ahh! That makes sense now!

[~Marcus~]

I very much doubt there will be a Hornet or Elf as small salooons don't sell and the older buyer profile of small saloons hardly fits the MINIs image.

Here's a selection of saloon versions of the Corsa, Fiesta, Clio & Peugeot 206 which aren't sold in the UK, one reason is that they are all extremely ugly!

[Joogle]

But thats where the Hornet/Elf was different - it actually looked good.
And who is to say that the MINI is a youngsters car only?
I know a 70 year old who has a Cooper S works as his runabout....