31 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

New five-door Mini hatchback revealed

Mk3 Mini hatchback gets a new five-door model; on sale in the UK in October priced from £15,900

Sales of the five-door Mini hatchback are due to get under way in October

The new five-door Mini hatchback has been revealed, and is set to give the brand the biggest sales boost of any single model so far when it goes on sale in October. BMW insiders believe it could outsell today’s three-door model by a factor of three to one. 

It is thought that this new model could account for around 150,000 units annually, massively boosting Mini’s sales overall.

The five-door Mini will go on sale initially with the choice of three-cylinder Cooper petrol and three-cylinder Cooper D diesel engines and in four-cylinder Cooper S petrol and Cooper SD form. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard while the six-speed Steptronic torque converter automatic transmission is optional.

http://www.autocar.c...studio-pictures

 

From AROnline:

"The five-door styling strongly evokes memories of the Issigonis XC9001 prototype of the late-1950s, as well as recalling the work done on four-door Minis between 1958 and 1962."

http://www.aronline....-open-business/

XC9001 Pictures:

http://www.aronline....opment-history/

Edited by mab01uk, 05 June 2014 - 05:53 PM.

[CityEPete]

I can see that selling really where here and in the States, I have not got children but I can see they must have lost a good few sales to people who really like the MINI but cant be bothered with moving the seats yet dont really like or need the bigger Countryman, It is a good shout IMO :)

[mab01uk]

I think the 5-door versions of all the competitor supermini hatches like the Ford Fiesta, etc outsell the 3-door versions so up to now the MINI hatch has lost out on those sales. This is to plug that gap in the range and widen the MINI's practical appeal.

[Harrison541]

God, not another one!

[Stiggytoo]

So by making it a 5 door, it's suddenly 'evokes memories of the Issigonis XC9001 prototype' Yeah right

[panch1989]

It's not the nicest but I can see why they have done it. Surprised they didn't release this earlier.

[Miniminx71]

I would've thought they'd have gone down the pillarless route and have the rear doors hinged at the back like that other car I can't remember.

[petey81]

Yuk! Hate all the bmw models sorry but my opinion all bulky and ugly.

Edited by petey81, 05 June 2014 - 09:04 PM.

[villa3]

Who wants any Bini,they are as common as chips.Appreciacion for our little gems is shooting thru the roof.

[mab01uk]

Who wants any Bini,they are as common as chips.Appreciacion for our little gems is shooting thru the roof.

 

Up until the 1980's, when the Metro's introduction caused annual Mini sales to drop dramatically.......the classic Mini was also as common as chips.

Annual MINI sales now equal the classic Mini's peak production year in 1971.

Edited by mab01uk, 05 June 2014 - 11:35 PM.

[xrocketengineer]

That will probably sell like hot cakes on this side of the pond. Even our versions of the Ford Focus ST and the Fiesta ST have four doors. However, we can not get wagons. It seems that if we want something with more space than a car we go straight to an SUV.

[minivan1976]

surely the clubman filled this gap though? or was it the fact of only having one rear side door on the road side if in the UK  which caused people to be put off? interesting that its only a £1,000 cheaper than a 5 door golf or if you want a 5 door polo the starting price is £11,000 so nearly £5,000 cheaper than the mini. 

 

i don't think this is going to be as big as BMW think i could be wrong, we will just have to wait and see when they go on sale

[minivan1976]

I would've thought they'd have gone down the pillarless route and have the rear doors hinged at the back like that other car I can't remember.

MAZDA RX8 

[firstforward]

mab01uk  What happened in 1981 for manufacturing to drop off so fast? Anybody know the reason?

[CityEPete]

Who wants any Bini,they are as common as chips.Appreciacion for our little gems is shooting thru the roof.

A family looking at brand new small five doors cars are not going to be interested in your old mini as an alternative.