As MINI moves to a more grown-up persona, a sedan looks to be the frontrunner for the brand’s next all-new model.
There’s certainly some curiosity surrounding MINI, specifically surrounding their next move following the axing of their Cooper Coupe and Cooper Roadster. What exactly, if anything, will be filling the void?
But secretive sources have informed UK’s Autocar that the next model to debut under the MINI brand will be a four door sedan. And while the rumour mill suggests that it is on the cards, it is merely the frontrunner among several other ideas that they choose to pursue.
MINI is keen to move up from its first couple of generations, bringing out cars that appealed to the more mature-minded, starting with the three and five-door hatchback which was followed up by the Clubman and Convertible.
A new Countryman which is larger and consequently more spacious will make its debut later in 2016, hopefully further cementing this more mature brand identity they’ve been cultivating.
During the New York motor show, the UK publication got their first whiffs of a potential MINI saloon being in the works. One aimed at larger volume sales in the North American and Chinese markets but also sold globally.
The reason behind that is because, in those markets, the trend towards vehicle body styles shift overwhelmingly towards sedans when the choice between that and hatchbacks are presented to buyers there. MINI’s bread and butter are small hatchbacks, which are also available as higher-riding crossovers.
However, Mini of the past (pre-BMW ownership) did have a history of making saloons such as the Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet – so there is some precedent here. As to what current models could contribute to the future saloon’s materialisation, the MINI Clubman – their longest and widest offering – could serve as the platform.
