German Car Zone

Motoring File just had a chance to attend MINI USA's official 2007 MINI press introduction, and besides seeing the new Coopers, they got a few insights into other future products. While most questions generated a polite "no comment," MINI USA's Jim McDowell let MF in on a few secrets. When asked about the importance of MINIs being British, he compared them to BMWs being built in Munich. Important, certainly, but not important enough to keep BMW from building plants in the States and South Africa. So will we see MINI plants outside of Oxford? Quite possibly. And then McDowell mentioned we should "expect to see four to five models in total from the MINI brand in the next five years."

When asked to repeat that, he said, "we will have an important new production every year for the next four to five years." Now, we know about the new Coupes, the Clubman and the new convertible, but what else could we be looking at from MINI? Perhaps a top-of-the-line Cooper like the Works or GP? A sedan? A pickup? A CUV? Who knows. All we know right now is that MINI will continue to hold our attention over the next few years, and not just for its great little Cooper and Cooper S.

[Source: Motoring File]

1. a 3dr hatch
2. a 2dr cabrio
3. a 5dr wagon (2+1+1/2+1/2 )
4. an AWD vehicle (some kind of AWD cross-over)
5. a 2dr coupe (2-seater)



Nothing new here. For some.

P.S.: regarding AWD vehicle: either a new model line with own body design (some kind of funky crossover), or just an AWD version of Clubman wagon - these are the options in consideration. Therefore "4 or 5 models" were mentioned - 4 in the case AWD will be just a sub-variant of Clubman, 5 in the case of a completely new model.

please dont we dont need 5 more

Hatch & cabrio are already here, wagon is coming in the Fall.

So only 1 (coupe) or 2 (coupe + possible AWD CAV) new models are coming in the next years.

A new Moke would be cool.
Also the more sedan-ish Ryley Elf was good looking.

Cute ...






Inside BMW also some rumors emerged about possible coupe name:

Speedster, Sportster, or even Spitfire.

Although we own the rights to the name "Spitfire" BMW have no plans to use it due to it's Politically incorrect Image to Germany Think about it !
It is about as Politically incorrect as BMW offering a "certain" roof flag design for the MINI in other markets..

OMG! This is still the case? Even after some 60, 65 years after?

I'm sure the MINI coupe target population (25-35) really do not care about Spitfire anymore. Opas can still drive their Opels.

The name would fit MINI perfectly: MINI Spitfire. MINI is English brand after all.

Wouldn't be surprised 4er was actually ditched due political incorrectness as well (Vierer vs Führer).

Ich fahre den Führer (/ Vierer). Hillarious.



Btw, don't Opel own the rights for Speedster? So ... Will we get MINI Sportster then?

LOL, Eni

Report: BMW to offer all-wheel-drive Mini in 2008

BMW will offer all-wheel-drive as an option on all of its 2008 Mini models, according to a report by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. The magazine said the system was developed for the extended-wheelbase Clubman, but would find its way into the rest of the 2008/2009 lineup.

In late 2004, a Dutch media report indicated Germany's Getrag auto parts maker was testing an AWD system for the compact car. The prototype was created on Getrag's own initiative, but BMW officials were said to be following the design study closely. Getrag supplies BMW with transmissions.

BMW product boss Burkhard Goschel reportedly took a ride in the prototype, and was very positive about its performance. The AWD system tested by Getrag featured a heavy rear-wheel bias, with the front wheels engaging as needed. It's not known if the production AWD system is the same as the one tested by Getrag.