Mini Lineup To Grow

[William Maley]

Mini Lineup To Grow

William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

September 26, 2011

Mini's current line stands at 5 models with the hardtop, convertible, Clubman, Countryman crossover, and new coupe. But, U.S. brand CEO Jim McDowell told the press at the introduction Mini Coupe said the lineup will be doubled within a few years.

Two vehicles have been confirmed; a convertible version of the Coupe called the Roadster and a two-door version of the Countryman. A possible third model is a version the Mini Rocketman concept, but that is being debated for the US. As for the other two models, no one is talking.

Source: Auto Guide

[A Horse With No Name]

Let's see how much we can dilute the original marketing concept trying to be cute.

God, sometimes I think Balthazar is right, a return to the late 1950's and 1960's is long overdue!

[Drew Dowdell]

they already did grow, the Countryman is already up to 3,000lbs.... for a MINI!

[ocnblu]

That coupe is nifty though. And the 2-door Countryman. But it is true... like parent BMW, they are chasing too many niches.

[A Horse With No Name]

Coupe is better looking in person...and they have orders for them, according to a friend of mine who works for MINI.

Still...chasing too many niches, methinks.

[balthazar]

These will ONLY steal sales from other Mini models; no one is avoiding Mini because they didn't have a GoofyRoof 2dr compact vs. a ConventionalRoof 2-dr compact.

And how grabbing more attention to Mini when the downmarket BMWs are coming is supposed to work, is unknown.

I don't see Mini being around in 10 years, just seems like there's no where to go.

[A Horse With No Name]

I don't see Mini being around in 10 years, just seems like there's no where to go.

Agreed...like the PT Crusier, once the cool and Retro wears off, no one will want them.

[Drew Dowdell]

Mini needs a sedan.

[A Horse With No Name]

MINI needs a sedan, yes...and a couple of other things.

[Z-06]

Naah mini needs to make all vehicles on a RWD platform. Then only it will be considered real enthusiasts vehicle.

[Satty]

Naah mini needs to make all vehicles on a RWD platform. Then only it will be considered real enthusiasts vehicle.

Only if the base engine is a V8 putting down at least 380hp, which is the minimum you need on a public road.

[A Horse With No Name]

Naah mini needs to make all vehicles on a RWD platform. Then only it will be considered real enthusiasts vehicle.

Or just get back to the original idea of MINI...

[Drew Dowdell]

Naah mini needs to make all vehicles on a RWD platform. Then only it will be considered real enthusiasts vehicle.

Only if the base engine is a V8 putting down at least 380hp, which is the minimum you need on a public road.

but it can't have pushrods, because despite having 380hp and RWD in a 2800lb package, then it would suck....

Mini could sell 300k of them in a year if they just used our formula.

[A Horse With No Name]

Alas MINI will never sell 300K cars here in the US...nor build a RWD pushrod car....