Mini is considering a premium compact sedan as its fifth volume model and this is one of several options to grow the brand, says a BMW AG board member. It could take the shape of the new Clubman (pictured above) minus the rear hatch wagon. There was once a limited edition Morris Mini sedan…..which did not really do well (pictured here).
A car based on the Superleggera electric roadster concept is still on the table as a halo vehicle for the brand. Making a business case to greenlight Superleggera is proving harder the volume would be low, but the price would be considerably higher than Mini’s current vehicles. The car would be another step in Mini’s effort to move part of its lineup from subcompact to compact.
The redesigned Clubman wagon that went on sale in January grew about 12 inches in length and 4.6 inches in width and is Mini’s first foray into the compact segment. The four volume cars are the three- and four-door Cooper Hardtop, the redesigned Clubman wagon and the Countryman.
The redesigned Countryman is expected to debut this year and it will not grow substantially in size, just a few inches like the redesigned hardtops and convertible. Mini will also launch a plug-in hybrid in the next two years. An electric car is also in the planning stage, but much depends on progress in battery technology.
