- Rocketman concept is intended to "claim the true heritage of the brand."
- Cooper hatchback is to remain at the "center of the Mini brand."
- Future Minis are to be "the smallest car in their segment."
- The new Roadster is the result of consultation with Mini owners.
LONDON — Mini Head of Design Anders Warming told Inside Line that a production version of the Rocketman concept is "on my Christmas list." In the clearest hint yet that the diminutive city car is heading for the showroom, Warming said the Rocketman was, "a clear leap forwards," and a car to "claim the true heritage of the brand."
Warming was speaking at the annual U.K. press dinner, where the Mini Roadster and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe were shown for the first time. "The Rocketman and Roadster are part of an ongoing dialogue with customers that asks, 'What can we do with Mini?'" said Warming. "It's about making authentic movements and developing a relevant bandwidth for the brand."
This "bandwidth" will ensure that the Mini is "always the smallest car in the segment, has lightweight engineering and engines that are class-leading in terms of efficiency." Further, the stretch of this bandwidth will always be defined by the Cooper hatchback, which will "remain at the center of the brand."
Inside Line says: Stand by for more mini Minis, with the Rocketman firing first.
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akitadog says:
12:27 PM, 12/21/2011
"Rocketman" looks like the next Cooper to me. Please, MINI, don't add another model to the lineup. Not when the current ones don't sell as you'd like them to.
wideturnone says:
09:09 AM, 12/21/2011
That photo looks like a Revell model of a mini, and not one of their better attempts either. What gives? I've seen rough concepts before, but this is just plain bad looking.
throwback says:
07:32 AM, 12/21/2011
This is the one Mini I would buy, if they make it. I owned a '03 Cooper and while fun it was not the most reliable or durable car. I would foget all that for a Rocketman. By the way, please change the name.