Jump to content
Create New...
  • 💬 Join the Conversation

    CnG Logo SQ 2023 RedBlue FavIcon300w.png
    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has been the go-to hub for automotive enthusiasts. Join today to access our vibrant forums, upload your vehicle to the Garage, and connect with fellow gearheads around the world.

     

  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Rumorpile: MINI's Family Could Grow To Ten Models

    William Maley

    Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

    October 14, 2013

    When the first-generation of the new MINI was introduced back in the early 2000's, it was very simple. There was a three-door hatchback, a convertible, and a long-wheelbase wagon. Come to the second-generation and the family grew. Alongside the three models of the first-generation, MINI added a three-door and five-door crossover, two-seater coupe, and roadster. Now with the third-generation MINI waiting in the wings, there is the possibility of the family growing again.

    "With the new ULK architecture, we currently have in mind eight to 10 models," said Peter Schwarzenbauer, BMW's board member in charge of Mini to Automotive News Europe.

    The ULK architecture Schwarzenbauer is referring to the new front-wheel drive architecture that will underpin the next-generation of MINIs and some upcoming front-drive BMWs. When asked about if the brand will offer direct replacements to their current lineup or introduce new styles, Schwarzenbauer said the company is still thinking about it.

    Schwarzenbauer revealed some interesting details concerning powertrains. He said the company is considering whether or not to add diesel engines to the lineup.

    "I think that the U.S. market is ready for diesel engines now and this is something we definitely have to consider also for Mini," he said.

    Schwarzenbauer also said a plug-in hybrid model is coming. As for electric power, that is currently under investigation.

    Source: Automotive News Europe (Subscription Required)

    William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    As much as I initially scoff at the idea that Mini has 7 'models', I have long thought that this business model should be gravitated toward by a lot more manufacturers; multiple variations on basically 1 car.

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Given how good Mini's parent BMW is selling its iterations of different vehicles, here is how sales will breakdown for the 10 models:

    Mini Cooper: 12,000

    Mini Cooper Convertible: 6,000

    Mini Cooper SUV: 4,000

    Mini Cooper Deluxe: 500

    Mini Cooper Calais: 34

    Mini Cooper Garand: 12

    Mini Cooper Wagon: 8

    Mini Cooper Dumpster: 6

    Mini Cooper Retro: 4

    Mini Cooper Fututro: 2 (One regular, one S)

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Support Real Automotive Journalism

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has delivered real content and honest opinions — not emotionless AI output or manufacturer-filtered fluff.

    If you value independent voices and authentic reviews, consider subscribing. Plans start at just $2.25/month, and paid members enjoy an ad-light experience.*

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • True, but in far more socialist countries, I suspect they have far better maintenance than in a capitalist society where profits are key over all else. Yes we have seen plenty of old planes all the way back to WWI that are still flying, but they have been taken care of far better than I think many for profit companies do on maintenance. Just like Ford with the Pinto, was cheaper to take the legal hit over that bomb mobile than to fix the problem from the start.
    • I absolutely love the design on this, and out of the park home run IMHO. 
    • I have had a couple of amazing black cats.  The planes we use to fly into huricanes are decades old... They regularly go through checks where the whole interior is stripped out and the whole plane is inspected. I feel fine flying on a 25 year old aircraft. That being said, In Hawaii a roof blew off of a plane once, a stewardess got blown out of the plane, but everyone else was buckled in, landed fine. Plane obviously never flew again, was a Boeing 737. But that plane had a ton of cycles, as it was used on very short haul flights. 
    • That just means that it needs to be trained on what you're writing on. The more you use it, the better is gets (usually). I did quit grammarly because it was making changes I didn't like, but Microsoft's grammar checker seems to do pretty well now that it knows me.
    • Canada's waterbomber fleet These guys Manitoba's fleet is 40 years old While Quebec's youngest fleet is also at 40 years old while its oldest is 53 years old.     Spain, Greece and France also have the same age range as Quebec's.  The older version which is the CL-215,  is 50 years plus in service for all that use it. They are still flying.  The next gen CL 415 is 30-40 years in service for all fleet users.  Canadair/Bombardier has sold the license to Viking and they are currently working on updating the airplane. It is called the CL 515.   European users are desperately wanting to replace their fleets.  Deliveries of the new CL 515 is said to be in early 2026.  With the water bombers, its not just cycles that put pressure on the sheet metal for metal fatigue. Its the weight of the water itself taking off from a lake. But mostly, when the water gets released.  HUGE amounts of pressure stresses  the structure when the water is released and all that weight that is released instantly and is no more.  
  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search