Photo: MINI
At the press launch of the new MINI 5-door, the British company made a rather interesting claim, saying that most of the buyers will remain loyal to the 3-door layout rather than shift to the new, bigger version.
According to CAR, the brand will therefore be moving against the trend in the supermini segment, where most cars sold have a 5-door configuration. Furthermore, the appeal of the extra doors will appeal to a completely new demographic, bringing in new customers to the brand, the ones that dismissed it for an apparent lack of practicality.
The forecast is based on the company’s own research on the market and must be pretty accurate since a statement like this was made at an official press event. What’s more, it goes to show that the new model was designed to bring in new customers rather than cannibalize the sales of the 3-door alternative.
Between the two cars, there’s a 72 mm difference in wheelbase that, of course, translates into more room inside, especially in the back seats. Adding two doors for practical reasons should show all the naysayers that apart from the Countryman, there’s also another MINI around that can be used for families.
The boot was also improved, offering more room (by around 67 liters) for more luggage. Unfortunately, you can’t bend the laws of physics and all these changes brought along a 60 kg (132 lbs) weight difference that works against the 5-door.
Revealed online earlier this year, the 5-door hardtop MINI will be making its first appearance in the flesh at the Paris Motor Show 2014 from which we’ll be bringing you live pictures as the world premieres unfold.
The forecast is based on the company’s own research on the market and must be pretty accurate since a statement like this was made at an official press event. What’s more, it goes to show that the new model was designed to bring in new customers rather than cannibalize the sales of the 3-door alternative.
Between the two cars, there’s a 72 mm difference in wheelbase that, of course, translates into more room inside, especially in the back seats. Adding two doors for practical reasons should show all the naysayers that apart from the Countryman, there’s also another MINI around that can be used for families.
The boot was also improved, offering more room (by around 67 liters) for more luggage. Unfortunately, you can’t bend the laws of physics and all these changes brought along a 60 kg (132 lbs) weight difference that works against the 5-door.
Revealed online earlier this year, the 5-door hardtop MINI will be making its first appearance in the flesh at the Paris Motor Show 2014 from which we’ll be bringing you live pictures as the world premieres unfold.
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