REPORT: BMW considers sharing Mini platform with PSA Peugeot Citroën
Mini 50 Mayfair -- Click above for high-res image gallery
According to a report from Financial Times in the U.K., BMW may be in preliminary talks to share small car platforms for future Mini variants with PSA Peugeot Citroën. The two European automakers already share the range of small four-cylinder engines powering the Mini line, which seems to lend an air of credence to rumors of an expanded collaborative effort.
While stopping short of confirming the report, both BMW chief Norbert Reithofer and PSA head Philippe Varin have indicated a willingness to work together and have reportedly met twice so far since May. Whispers of platform sharing is nothing new for BMW these days – earlier this year, we again heard the oft-repeated rumor that BMW was working with Fiat on a shared platform for something even smaller than the regular-grade Mini, possibly as part of its long-rumored Isetta revival.
Gallery: MINI 50 Mayfair
[Source: Financial Times - Sub. Req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike7 5:45PM (8/05/2009)
Edmunds said today that BMW was looking to Renault for sharing platforms with the Mini.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/2009/08/mini-looking-to-share-platform-with-renault.html
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Mike7 5:51PM (8/05/2009)
Ah, Edmunds goofed. They wrote Renault and had the Renault logo in their article, but they cited the same source you guys did, which of course says PSA Peugeot Citroën.
Erik 6:08PM (8/05/2009)
They can share Mini's platform if they want, but there is no way the resulting Peugeot or Citroen will be nearly as cute or adorable as the Mini.
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Matthew 8:39PM (8/05/2009)
While I 200% agree with you for Peugeot (the 207 is not cute at all), the 2010 C3 seems to be a major improvement over the current model.
Olivier Parent 6:23PM (8/05/2009)
Saab (9-1) is also one of the rumoured candidates, seems like a much better match to me. And if not Saab then Renault would be better choice but they are already in bed with Mercedes-Benz (Smart).
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BigTeebo 6:30PM (8/05/2009)
Not unlike the Innocenti? Okay, not exactly like that but...
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P.V. 7:25PM (8/05/2009)
Sounds like a plan, but does this mean that PSA is ditching its deal with Toyota with the 107/C1/Aygo?
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Matthew 8:34PM (8/05/2009)
The 107/C1/Aygo belong to a class somewhere between the Mini/Yaris and the iQ.
Bloke 8:44AM (8/06/2009)
No, because the 107 is an A-segment hatch. The Mini tie-up would involve a replacement for the larger, B-segment 207.
automotive jobs 2:26AM (8/06/2009)
Points Situation After Pocono. Denny Hamlin won at Pocono Raceway today. I didn't get to see the race due to the rain delay
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Mike P. 3:51AM (8/06/2009)
Uh, thanks for the spoiler.