Rumored: MINI's future revealed

Auto Express is reporting on the future of the MiNI brand. Looks like BMW is taking the brand up market with a big 7 seater and down market with a city car. Seems like that is creating over lap with the BMW brand, wonder how that works into their plans.

Even bigger SUV is set to sit at the top of the MINI line-up, seven-seat newcomer introduced alongside electric city car

It seems size does matter for MINI! The Countryman has barely taken its first steps and already it’s caused controversy by breaking the mould as the first four-door, four-wheel-drive, family-sized MINI. But that hasn’t stopped the firm from thinking even bigger.

Auto Express sources have revealed plans to go one better and produce a larger, seven-seater version of the stylish SUV.

Designed to expand MINI’s sphere of influence and steal sales from the likes of the Nissan Qashqai+2, as well as more traditional people carriers such as the VW Touran, the Countryman ‘Plus’ will be the most practical MINI ever.

According to Dr Wolfgang Armbrecht, global head of MINI brand management, the Countryman could definitely be made even bigger. “We could take the wheelbase from 2.60m to around 2.70m,” he said.

This is not the only spin-off, either. We broke the story back in Issue 1,116 that the legendary Moke is set for a comeback. MINI claims that it was overwhelmed by the response to the roofless and doorless Beachcomber Concept shown at this year’s Detroit Motor Show – and it has now given the car the green light.

For full details including exclusive information on more MINI future plans don't forget to buy this week's edition of Auto Express. On sale June 9.

Source - http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...#ixzz0qULH0NHm