Biggie MINI could use Fiat platform
BMW and Fiat have already announced their intentions to collaborate on a new small car platform that will underpin the next MINI, due in 2012 or 2013, along with the successor to the Fiat Grande Punto and Alfa Romeo MiTo. However, a new platform developed by Fiat and dubbed the C-Evo will be used as the basis for a larger MINI, due out in 2015.
It's unclear whether the C-Evo architecture will underpin the MINI AWD compact utility vehicle, but according to Automotive News, the platform will be capable of housing both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive powertrains, and will serve as the platform for the new Alfa Romeo 147, which will be released sometime next year.
Fiat and BMW are also in talks to co-develop a new range of new gasoline and diesel engines, including a 1.6-liter four-pot and 1.2-liter, three-cylinder that will be used on FWD vehicles.
The decision to share platforms and engines has reportedly been in the works since 2007, and BMW and Fiat stand to save between 150 to 200 million euros in the process.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
inteller 8:40AM (7/21/2008)
gonna have to say no to this one. MINIs are getting too big. The clubman was a stretch, but it worked. these things are starting to look like bug eyed weenie dogs.
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P.V. 9:14AM (7/21/2008)
Exactly my thoughts.
At least the Clubman has a historical counterpart. Does a MINI subcompact CUV have a historical Mini (not MINI) counterpart?
Throwback 9:23AM (7/21/2008)
I agree. I owned a 2003 Mini and the car was spectacular. Light, tossable and fuel effecient even with the old 1.6L engine. I think BMW is going the wrong way with Mini. I understand making them cheaper to build, but bigger?
ChopperDave 9:49AM (7/21/2008)
P.V., the Mini CUV has a historical counterpart, too, the Mini Moke:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini#Variants
That's not to say they should make it, but it's been done before. Note the pickup truck variant, too!
Torrent 1:14PM (7/21/2008)
my god this is ugly.
mike 8:51AM (7/21/2008)
What a joke.
Just make good small cars.....not small SUVs
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Paul H. 8:52AM (7/21/2008)
Maybe I didn't get the memo, but I was under the impression MINI meant small.
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Rocketboy 3:03PM (7/21/2008)
Yes, you must have. There were even Mini Cube vans at one time.
mike 8:53AM (7/21/2008)
This "car" is probably the same size as last generations of RAV4 and CR-V.
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Dude 9:04AM (7/21/2008)
When your name is MINI in all caps, I think you're kinda locked into small cars.
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memoryedit 9:35AM (7/21/2008)
2015 jeez, i hate when i hear about stuff like this and then they say 2015, it seems way to far out to care about it. I mean is it really going to take them 17 years to make it work. Its not even going to be relevant in that time.
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Dude 9:31AM (7/21/2008)
I don't know what people have told you, but the current year is 2008, not 1998.
Marques 10:09AM (7/21/2008)
Hahahahaha @ "17 years"
memoryedit 9:35AM (7/21/2008)
yes i just realized i'm a retard
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1337 10:37AM (7/21/2008)
Ahhhh that grille! It's gonna eat me!
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Bancho 11:13AM (7/21/2008)
Wow, that pic just makes me sad. It looks almost as if a regular MINI was raped by a Ford Flex.
I still love MINIs but I think I'll skip this particular model.
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CalGuy 10:59AM (7/21/2008)
No. Just no. That photo-simulation screams NO. What a dorky, wannabe, lame concept with trapped-in-a-rut styling. 4x4s are so yesterday.. especially by the time they finish development.
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Flea 11:00AM (7/21/2008)
my god, that MINI mockup looks like a fat, screaming fish.
Oh well, good for FIAT, since Alfa will be competing at that level with the 149 which, unless the designers do a huge cockup, will look a million times better.
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txdesign 11:50AM (7/21/2008)
As a current Mini owner I will say that all this talk of larger versions and an SUV is making me lose interest fast. 5 years from now the Mini will be the same size as the current 3-series and BMW will have to slot a smaller brand underneath the Mini.
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stecki 1:30PM (7/21/2008)
Um no. I own an 03 S and a classic mk 1. And i command thee to stopest this stupidity or i will be forced to use the holy hand grenade on thee!
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