96 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

maybe BMW should of evolved the classic style Mini with the K series engine and then moved the Mini into the 21st century.

BMW with Rover did develop a classic Mini with K series engine, they were called Minki 1 and Minki 11 (see link below) but sadly by the year 2000 Minki-II was just too late to replace the classic Mini for the 21st century..........Rover should have put it into production many years before.

Minki Full Story:
http://www.austinmem...e46/page46.html

[yousmeg]

Dont mean to bash, but to me that looks like a half-assed design.

In my opinion they made a mess of the brand, and now making a mess of the brands future (this, that scooter thing )

[dave585]

I can honestly say that I DO NOT like anything to do with BINI as I do not recognise the brand as the evolved version of the classic Mini, maybe BMW should of evolved the classic style Mini with the K series engine and then moved the Mini into the 21st century.
Can we really see the Newer Binis being around in 50 years!!!

NO

I will never buy one... my statement being "theres no B in Mini"

+1. They are even trying to copy the classic with a Union Jack on the roof. Put the Euro flag on it, but not the Union Jack on a
german car.

You can have the EU flag on it as its an opitional extra. Built in Britain by british workers in Oxford,swindon, Banbury, Wolverhampton and Birmingham so yes a very German car! only the parent company is German! Like saying i like the new Middle eastern Aston Martin baby car or that the new indian JLR cars are nice. Only mini people bring that up! anyway this is not a new MINI bashing thread so back to topic if you would do you like it or not please. plus i think you will find that the union jack on the roof was never put on buy Rover on any of it minis it produced it was more the fans of the car who put it on later, i dont remember any minis in the dealers while growing up in the 80s/90s ever seeing one with it on, only since i got into minis in the late 90s/00s when i started to drive.

Edited by dave585, 24 February 2011 - 06:50 AM.

[mab01uk]

In my opinion they made a mess of the brand, and now making a mess of the brands future (this, that scooter thing )

If you call making a mess of the brand taking worldwide Mini sales (which had declined steadily since the 1972 peak of 300,000+ a year) from around 10,000 a year back up to 300,000 and increasing.

[mab01uk]

Pretty sure I remember the Union Jack roof first appeared as a factory or dealer fitted option when BMW re-vamped Rovers almost non-existent marketing of the Mini in the late 1990's by offering the upgraded MPi Mini's along with various 'Sportspack' extras and a long list of customer options to personalise their Mini, including roof vinyls and flags. People forget how little interest Rover or its dealers had in promoting the Mini brand at the time.........in many Rover showrooms they would far rather you bought a modern Rover model and rarely even had a Mini on display to look at. That only changed when BMW arrived and demanded Rover marketing promote the neglected Mini brand and at last start investing money in it for the future, rather than leaving it to wither and eventually die due to new EU regulations and steadily declining sales.

Edited by mab01uk, 24 February 2011 - 12:47 PM.

[dave585]

I have just emailed MINI to see if they would bring it to Himley Hall this year so we can have a good look at it in the flesh.
just waiting to hear back. Seeing it in the flesh would give us a better look than just pic.

[mattdc2r]

was at BMW in Stafford couple of weekend back to get a quoit on a new mini cooper s clubman. Whilst there I spotted the 4 wheel drive cooper s with full cooper sports package. Looked awsome, shame it was £33k.
My quote came in at £27k, but has pretty much all the toys and space on top for the bikes

[roberts]

Theres a couple of new vids today:





I think this car is utterly amazing, it's by far the best concept of the last 12 months and in terms of a show piece for where MINI is planning on talking the Mini brand it's perfect - finally a MINI that looks at the Mini's concepts and updates them for the 21st century.

Easily the the most significant concept car since the Jaguar CXF - let's hope it turns out to be as successful in production.

It's just a shame those rear lights and the roof won't make production

[MIRVINE11]

I actually quite like it! Its much better than some concepts i've seen. Although the rear lights look like a nearby chav will rip them off, and how long the fog and reversing lights last next to the exhaust would be interesting...

[MIRVINE11]

although i think the designers have got a bit OTT with the lighting inside!

[mab01uk]

I have just emailed MINI to see if they would bring it to Himley Hall this year so we can have a good look at it in the flesh.
just waiting to hear back. Seeing it in the flesh would give us a better look than just pic.

It is a shame there is no longer an annual or bi-annual Motor Show in the UK for British Motoring enthusiasts to see new and future cars like this launched to the public. It used to be a good day out when it was at the NEC or in London.

I remember one of the first Motor Shows I attended as a kid was at Earls Court, London in 1967 when I remember seeing the Mini Mk2 on show for the first time with the new bigger back lights and rear window. I think I still have the original brochures in my loft somewhere!

Edited by mab01uk, 24 February 2011 - 12:58 PM.

[jae_lock]

It looks great - build it as it is!

That roof is just crying out for selective tinting - it'd be a bit like a stained glass window!

[hystrix cristata]

I like it, looks good. the rear lamps are a stupid idea

[JmayfairJ]

i think they need to take the front end and use it as its a very nice start, then shoot the guy who designed the rear lights, and redesign the rest of the car keeping the front end they already used, oh and use smaller wheels as there is no way with wheel arches that big there going to have any room in the back for passengers or boot space,

not a bad attempt though i do like the front end but wheels that big on a car that small just makes it look stupid, like a 3ft person wearing size 28 shoes :S

[Bean]

"Rocketman"!?