We haven’t even seen the fruits of the labour from the BMW-Toyota sports car project yet, and already the two companies are looking to broaden the scope of their partnership, if a report from Automobile Magazine is to be believed. Next on the list is said to be a jointly-developed entry-level city car, one iteration of which will reportedly be a MINI Minor to slot under the current F55/F56 Hatch.
This isn’t the first time BMW has considered a smaller MINI as the core Hatch ballooned in size over the years – Geneva 2011 played host to the unveiling of the MINI Rocketman Concept (pictured), a funky three-door “3+1” city car that measured just 3,419 mm long.
Rumours of a confirmed production version soon surfaced, but the unsuitability of BMW’s new front-wheel drive UKL platform (which underpins the F55/F56 Hatch) and the unfeasibility of engineering such a small car to meet regulations reportedly led to the project’s shelving. Now that a suitor has apparently been found, it looks as if the mini MINI is back on the table.
The report states that early styling exercises reference the styling of both the Paceman and Rocketman, with a double-bubble roof, Union Jack-motif tail lights, a small trapezoidal grille and blacked-out roof pillars. This new evocatively-named Minor – harking back to the 1959 original – could cost around US$14k-16k (RM50k-58k).
According to Automobile Magazine, Toyota’s Aygo, which is the right size, won’t be used as a base to build upon; instead the two carmakers will collaborate on a new platform that can be used by both.
MINI Rocketman Concept
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
This is what we call as Mini not some big 5 door Hatchback called as Mini
hey,I gained so much dislikes for saying that even thou its real,Nice, I love haters. Not to mention Morris Mini.
In the future Mini will have more RV, now you can easily get one with RM60k.
RM60k for the Iriz or the Mini? Your call.
man, BMW is really going bonkers lah. first they make the original R50 mini then they make it bigger and bigger and add more doors and it gets even bigger. and now they decide to make a small one again. WTH.
Woot finally going back to its roots…but with some Japanese DNA in it lol
They believe Toyota, not Proton
I don’t know really, personally I feel the new F56 two door is brilliant. The 4 door is a disappointment but the two door is just the right size and drives absolutely fantastic. Especially with the 1.5.
The 4 door is a dissapointment only cause of the pricing here…
As much as BMW wants to make a smaller mini… This one is still a lot larger …… It’s still a massive foot longer than the Austin.
Shit, if this thing cost below 100k after taxes and whatnot, I would snap one.
Getting this instead of Iriz
So BMW is going to be responsible for the design and teknical, and toyotamak marketing.
Kesian lah Subaru.
1986.
I want to know how to design good plateform, how to drive and handle well, how to design a proper rear-wheel drive sportscar.
The one that smiles to you may not be a friendly person.
Free lunch.
Why should a rich man become a good friend of a poor person?
Market leader is mostly about marketing, in this case, not technically most advanced.
Guess, who will be the thief?
If this baby has sushi DNA, it would not sui kwan and kwai tai in the middle of the road
Basically they are copying the Mercedes/Renault collaboration that spawned the new smart fortwo, forfour and Renault Twingo.
Even the two giants can cooperate. But not our two “national cars”.
Any wonder why our auto industry is in the dumps?
Based on the illustrations, if both companies can pull this off… it would be a big hit in EU. For obvious reasons (space, parking and $ of petrol), small cars are sought after there…hence, you see a lot of Minis, Smarts, Fiats etc.