Mini Coopers as sports cars isn't much different than what happened to the VW Golf when they decided to make the GTi. The Golf was a people mover, and like the Mini, there were even "van"versions. Same thing happened when Carroll Shelby got his hands on a Dodge Omni in the 80s. He turned a crappy econocar into a crappy pavement ripper. If you build it, some motorhead is going to make it faster, and more fun to drive -- and even race. So, again, all of these variations on the new MINIs are not out of sync with original Mini history -- like them or not. CD
Oh, I almost forgot. A shot of my MINI with a long wheelbase Morris Mini Minor that may be the original MINI Clubman. CD
All of the variants may not be out of line with Mini history, but the whole philosophy of the design for all of the variants certainly is. Luxury and technology are favored over simplicity. Larger overall dimensions are favored over a focus on space efficiency in the smallest, most economical package possible. MINI is targeting a different demographic for their core market. For a small luxury SAV the new Countryman looks great, will likely be a fine competitor in that segment, and most buyers in that demographic are going to be happy with their purchases. But there is almost nothing connecting it with the ideals that the Mini once represented. MINI is now nothing more than a brand associated with an interesting and unique line of pseudo-BMWs. It doesn't even vaguely represent the brand identity that survived from 1959 through 2006. There's clearly not enough money to be made in trying to preserve that heritage in a world where cheap fuel, idiot lights, techno-distractions, driver disengagement, superfluous gadgetry, and "just get me from here to there" take precedence over the simple act of enjoying a visceral connection to the road.
It is strange, however BMW must have a motive, we just cant figure it out. It seems sometimes a manufacturer, uglys up a model in order to make a big splash with the new and improved next edition. That would seem to be real expensive though.
They've targeted this market... Minibus is in the works.... And there will be a JCW variant.... You betcha.... They are just easing us into it... And then we wake up....
If these fugly monstrosities are the future, then it might not be such a bad thing. My love of the Mini/MINI brand goes back to the very first car that I owned as a 17 yr old in England, a 1962 "classic". That was 44 years ago. That car pictured is not a "Mini/MINI", it's a small BMW SUV. And an ugly one at that.
I've been a MINI addict since 2002, my first a 2006 R53 and my current one a 2012 R58 JCW. Been to MOTD eight times and MSSD twice. I'm just getting bored with the whole thing.
I know what you mean, but in fairness, even the R53 is a "luxury" car compared to the original Minis. If MINI were to build a car with the same utilitarian DNA as the originals, they wouldn't sell any, unless they were dirt cheap, and then they would lose money on them. Thomas Murphy, former Chairman of GM, is famous for saying, "General Motors is not in the business of making cars. It is in the business of making money." That is true of any big corporation, and BMW is no exception. If BMW makes money off these MINI models, they will make more of them. If not, they will make different models. CD
Will never happen... The closest MINI would get to offering a street version would be to add a bunch of vinyl stikors and call it a day.... Oh, and they would call it a limited edition with a $5,000 bump in MSRP..... :ihih: