The MINI sedan has been floating around the rumor universe since 2012 with various outlets saying it's coming with the prime markets being the China and the U.S. - sedans are more popular than hatchbacks in these markets. Autocar is the latest one to report this and says it's could be coming with the third-generation MINI lineup.

 

According to sources, the sedan is in the cards as the fifth model in the updated MINI lineup. It will use the new Clubman as a base and feature a range of three and four-cylinder engines. A possible name is Riley - a name used for a MINI sedan back in the sixties.

 

Helping substantiate this rumor is a comment made by Ralph Mahler, MINI's vice-president product management.

 

“For example, in Asia and the US, the sedan [saloon] segment is very big. This is very interesting to us, of course," Mahler explained as the automaker has undertaken various analysis on different market trends and segments.

 

If the MINI sedan is given the green light, expect sometime after the launch of the new Countryman - expected to show up later this year.

 

Source: Autocar

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This would be a great idea if they actually deliver on it as Mini needs diversity to deal with an over bloated CUV lineup. Wish them the best, I wonder if it will be a rebadge of the BMW 1 series?

 

Fastest way to market is put a new skin on the BMW 1 series and move forward. They could then use the rest of the lineup to become a full diverse auto company with a variety.