Photo: Theophilus Chin
Ever since the MINI brand has been taken by BMW, it has produced car after car that, on the one hand, have alienated the fans of the classic models, and on the other, have brought loads more of new ones.
If the first generation was a reasonable small car, the current one is nothing short of humongous by comparison, having received an extra set of doors as well, presumably for added practicality. As if this growth weren't enough, the MINI range now contains a pair of crossovers as well, together with the new Clubman that can hardly pronounce the word MINI without blushing. Yes, the MINI name is just a distant reference to what made the original car designed by Issigonis a classic.
But for all the criticism, MINI seems to be doing OK. People looking for a car that's "different" and "retro" still fall for it, and looking at the rest of the offerings, it's easy to understand why: the only other real alternative is the Fiat 500, but FCA's model doesn't cut it into the premium segment where MINI resides.
The MINI range now numbers four models (hatchback, Clubman, Countryman, and Convertible), so it is one short of fulfilling the number promised by the people in charge. Earlier this month, there were rumors that the last car to join the ranks was going to be a sedan, which would actually make sense since there are plenty of markets where the three-box vehicles are still very highly regarded.
Even historically speaking, it wouldn't be such a big departure from the brand's ethos - at least in theory - as there have been some MINI sedan models in the past, even though not a lot of people know about them. Called Wolseley Hornet and Riley Elf, they were essentially longer MINIs that kept the same wheelbase but added a longer rear overhang. Since they were built by different companies, the front end was also new compared to the classic MINIs made by Austin or Morris.
For 2016, Theophilus Chin imagined a more coupe-like shape with four doors and the taillights borrowed from the three-door crossover MINI Paceman. Even though it would take a while to get used to the idea of a MINI sedan, if it turned out to look like this, we believe it would actually stand a chance. Honestly, we fail to see the need for sedans this size, but it's nice to know that they can be made to work.
But for all the criticism, MINI seems to be doing OK. People looking for a car that's "different" and "retro" still fall for it, and looking at the rest of the offerings, it's easy to understand why: the only other real alternative is the Fiat 500, but FCA's model doesn't cut it into the premium segment where MINI resides.
The MINI range now numbers four models (hatchback, Clubman, Countryman, and Convertible), so it is one short of fulfilling the number promised by the people in charge. Earlier this month, there were rumors that the last car to join the ranks was going to be a sedan, which would actually make sense since there are plenty of markets where the three-box vehicles are still very highly regarded.
Even historically speaking, it wouldn't be such a big departure from the brand's ethos - at least in theory - as there have been some MINI sedan models in the past, even though not a lot of people know about them. Called Wolseley Hornet and Riley Elf, they were essentially longer MINIs that kept the same wheelbase but added a longer rear overhang. Since they were built by different companies, the front end was also new compared to the classic MINIs made by Austin or Morris.
For 2016, Theophilus Chin imagined a more coupe-like shape with four doors and the taillights borrowed from the three-door crossover MINI Paceman. Even though it would take a while to get used to the idea of a MINI sedan, if it turned out to look like this, we believe it would actually stand a chance. Honestly, we fail to see the need for sedans this size, but it's nice to know that they can be made to work.
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