MINI Rocketman Could Enter Production As An Entry-Level Model

Anyone that’s taken a close look at the current MINI Cooper knows that the small hatchback is no longer the pocket sized model that it was when it was introduced in the early 2000s, but a small model could return to the MINI lineup if the Rocketman concept ever gets the green light.

MINI_Rocketman_Concept

Anyone that’s taken a close look at the current MINI Cooper knows that the small hatchback is no longer the pocket sized model that it was when it was introduced in the early 2000s, but a small model could return to the MINI lineup if the Rocketman concept ever gets the green light. According to the latest report, a production version of the Rocketman could be introduced by 2016.
The MINI Rocketman concept originally debuted in 2011 with an footprint that was only a few centimeters longer than the original 1960s MINI. Even though the Rocketman received great feedback, production plans were killed due to the high costs associated with producing it. Now Anders Warming, MINI’s head of design, has hinted that a production version could still happen.

Related: Geneva 11′ Preview: Mini Rocketman Concept Takes Mini Back to its Roots

MINI_Rocketman_Concept

“For sure, a MINI should always be a small car, so [a new city car] would be appropriate for the brand.”

Warming cautioned that MINI is still trying to figure out how to produce it, which would require MINI to get help from a partner like Toyota. Since BMW already has a relationship with Toyota, it’s a possibility that MINI could use the Toyota iQ platform for a production version of the Rocketman.

Source: Auto Express