Photo: MINI
The bloating of the MINI products is nothing new and not a very subtle process, but with the recently released MINI Cooper Clubman, the not-mininess of these cars has reached new heights.
Heights that are soon to be surpassed by future MINI models, if we're to believe what company officials are saying (and we see no reason not to, especially since what they're telling us is not something to brag about).
The new MINI Clubman is 158 mm longer, 10 mm wider and 119 mm lower than what was previously known as the largest ever MINI, the Countryman. But fret not, as a new Countryman is already in the making and, according to the brand's officials cited by autocar.co.uk, it will be a proper SUV. What, not even a crossover, but a proper SUV? Should we expect something the size of a BMW X1, then?
All this info is being handed out by MINI senior vice president Sebastian Mackensen. Judging by his reaction, we'd say he is a bit upset with the way people (and the media) have received the latest MINI models, including the bread-and-butter Cooper which has considerably grown in size.
“I'm not sure who set the traditional size limits for what a MINI should be? Mini doesn't have to mean small in size. We shouldn't limit ourselves [..]" I'd like to offer Mr. Mackensen an answer to his rhetorical question. Nobody set any limits and the new cars shouldn't necessarily be tiny just because the original model was. But, for heaven's sake, it's called a "MINI". We're guessing everybody can tell when a MINI stops being mini, so there's your answer.
"Personally, I believe that a MINI is more than just a car. There are brand lines set by traditionalists and historic customers and I respect that but at the same time the world moves on. Things develop in every walk of life."
In other words, new customers are more important than "traditionalists and historic customers." In my opinion, even if we all know this is the case, I think that's something a company official should never say out loud. It shows disrespect towards those very people who were the first to buy the company's products after its relaunch. It may not be that bad for business, but it makes you look like a money-grabbing. ungrateful little company.
But then, Mackensen came and said this: “Above all, I also believe that the interpretation of what a MINI is should lie with the customers.” I'm confused; I'm going to bed now. And I can sleep very sound for now as Mackensen also said "I wouldn't expect anything larger from us anytime soon."
The new MINI Clubman is 158 mm longer, 10 mm wider and 119 mm lower than what was previously known as the largest ever MINI, the Countryman. But fret not, as a new Countryman is already in the making and, according to the brand's officials cited by autocar.co.uk, it will be a proper SUV. What, not even a crossover, but a proper SUV? Should we expect something the size of a BMW X1, then?
All this info is being handed out by MINI senior vice president Sebastian Mackensen. Judging by his reaction, we'd say he is a bit upset with the way people (and the media) have received the latest MINI models, including the bread-and-butter Cooper which has considerably grown in size.
“I'm not sure who set the traditional size limits for what a MINI should be? Mini doesn't have to mean small in size. We shouldn't limit ourselves [..]" I'd like to offer Mr. Mackensen an answer to his rhetorical question. Nobody set any limits and the new cars shouldn't necessarily be tiny just because the original model was. But, for heaven's sake, it's called a "MINI". We're guessing everybody can tell when a MINI stops being mini, so there's your answer.
"Personally, I believe that a MINI is more than just a car. There are brand lines set by traditionalists and historic customers and I respect that but at the same time the world moves on. Things develop in every walk of life."
In other words, new customers are more important than "traditionalists and historic customers." In my opinion, even if we all know this is the case, I think that's something a company official should never say out loud. It shows disrespect towards those very people who were the first to buy the company's products after its relaunch. It may not be that bad for business, but it makes you look like a money-grabbing. ungrateful little company.
But then, Mackensen came and said this: “Above all, I also believe that the interpretation of what a MINI is should lie with the customers.” I'm confused; I'm going to bed now. And I can sleep very sound for now as Mackensen also said "I wouldn't expect anything larger from us anytime soon."
Google News