[Mark]

News reports overnight indicate that infact MINI might be working on a new 'micro' MINI. Whats more, the small car would actually be designed and built to be sold under the BMW brand according to MINI boss Wolfgang Armbrecht. Its not clear if Mr. Armbrecht is referring to platform sharing between BMW and MINI or if such a project would be headup by the MINI division and then given to BMW.

''We have always been motivated by the idea to build a small spacious car,'' [...] ''Keep a close eye on the coming months.''

With that quote, the automotive press is speculating that the car may arrive at an autoshow soon, possibly even the NAIAS in Detroit which takes place early January. If not Detroit, then more likely at Geneva in March.

What is the car exactly? Well, Ambrecht never actually said much about the car except that it would be a small and spacious car. He is most certainly not referring to the upcoming MINI coupe and roadster as those cars are clearly MINI. What that leaves us is either with the BMW Megacity Vehicle (part of Project i) which is BMWs upcoming small EV (See: http://www.bimmerpost.com/projecti/). BMW has already revealed alot of information surrounding the Megacity Vehicle with never a mention of the MINI brand.

So this opens up the possibility that they are infact referring to the oft-rumored sub-1 series FWD car, the car so many have dubbed: "0" series. We really doubt the car would actually be called the 0-Series, 016i sounds strange doesnt it?

Naming aside, such a car, something smaller then the 1-Series (which is growing in size for the next generation) and foreward wheel drive is not too far fetched to BIMMERPOST readers. Its something that has been brewing for some time now in the rumor circles, and more importantly, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer himself has confirmed that such a car will be coming in the future. Putting 1+1 together with the fact that BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën have recently inked a deal to further expand co-operation of FWD hybrid drive systems further confirms that this car is indeed coming. Theres no news as to which markets this car would actually reach but this car should satisfy any future fuel efficiency requirements while at the same time giving BMW a foothold in a whole new market that Audi and Mercedes have yet to fully tap.

Our own insider scott has gone into great detail about this upcoming car, confirming that the car would use a platform shared between BMW and MINI including some nice details on the sharp and crisp styling to expect with this car


Source: Automotive News

[termigni]

a Mini that's actually mini? sounds good to me

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by MarkE90M3

Naming aside, such a car, something smaller then the 1-Series (which is growing in size for the next generation)

I know this is mostly speculation, but it sucks that the 1 will grow. Now the 1 series will be the size of the 3, the 3 will grow to be the size of the audi a4, and to get a car the size of the current 1, we may have to buy a FWD BMW.

How is BMW downsizing engines (6cyl -> 4cyl) in the next iteration but upsizing cars?

[InquisitiveA]

The 1 series coupe is already the same size as the E46 generation 3 series coupe. It's "progress".

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

FWD doesnt belong in BMW's line up, they are also "cheapening" up their brand with these low priced cars....

[JB135MDCT]

Originally Posted by JPSlick

FWD doesnt belong in BMW's line up, they are also "cheapening" up their brand with these low priced cars....

Easy fix. Just keep it in the Mini Group and sell BMW stickers sized to cover the Mini Logos.

[wilstave]

Originally Posted by JPSlick

FWD doesnt belong in BMW's line up, they are also "cheapening" up their brand with these low priced cars....

fully agree...front wheel drive and 4cylinders is Honda's business...not BMW's

[Zirenz2006]

Times are changing

[blender]

The MINI assembly plant in Oxford already builds some of the 1-series platform and will probably be among the factories to build the Z2 roadster.

I concur about the FWD; however there is now an AWD MINI powertrain that might be adapted to compete well with the Audi TT, if a larger BMW motor was fitted. In fact a prototype MINI was fitted with the 2.0L BMW diesel motor.

I'd love to see BMW build a truly small, light, fast car again.