10-strong MINI Model Lineup Coming, BMW Boss Says

Despite being ideal vehicles for hairdressers and looking like retro hatchbacks, we actually like the cars that MINI makes. However, there’s always that nagging thought in the back of our minds that they are as British as a bratwurst.

There’s still hope though, as MINI recently announced a big investment plan in its plant in Oxford, UK to prepare for production of its third-generation Cooper model, a test mule of which was recently spotted while undergoing road trials. The new model, will be based on a new front-wheel drive platform dubbed UKL, which will be used by BMW for its own range of entry-level hatchbacks.

A new Cooper isn’t the only kind of ammo that MINI has ready to load, as the company boss Norbert Reithoffer has revealed to What Car? that a 10 model lineup is coming. The current lineup consists of the regular hatchback (with various Cooper and JCW variants), MINI Cabrio, MINI Clubman, MINI Countryman, plus the upcoming MINI Coupe and MINI Roadster, the former coming to Frankfurt in September and the latter expected early next year.

There’s also the Paceman concept (a coupe crossover) to consider, and the Rocketman looks set to go into production. That brings the grand total to eight, and the MINI E could be the ninth car offered by the British Brand.

Your guess is as good as ours when it comes to the tenth model, but we hope it’s something like a proper sportscar or a rally-bread thoroughbred.