Mini Rocketman Concept - The New mini MINI!!!

[euan]

Elfman,


I never use the rear seat in my MINI. I would really like a two seater with a secure space for my golf clubs. I am really interested in the Coupe, but it will not doubt be ridiculously priced.

I'm not going to defend MINI pricing, but have you priced up a "normal" car of late? Even a bog standard Focus is 15.5K these days (granted, a Fiesta is closer in size and costs 10K). However, the point is for the coupe what is the competition? A basic Megane Coupe is over 17K and in terms of looks that's what people will compare it to. Most other cars are sold without many extras on them it's just that people like to add kit to Minis to make them more individual, it's what MINI sold as the aim when they came out. Also makes them a lot more money...

As for the Rocketman, I like it. The rear lights won't be on the production car, but the double hinged doors might make it (last large scale production car I remember them on was the Renault Avantime unless anyone can correct me?). The roof could make it but would be as an option I'd have thought.

Much more like it though :-)

[ELFMAN]

I would much rather be without the pumped up MINIs (i.e. the Countryman) and have a chic, cheap wee MINI - i.e. the new concept, at least a version of it.
I would love a REAL MINI, small fun and cheap. How many do you think they would sell if they were fast and cheap? It appears that car prices are not keeping pace with the rest of the world. Pretty much all new cars (perhaps especially the MINI) are ridiculously priced. MINI would do well to produce a people's car, for real people, not just the wealthy!

It's a tough one Ken, I know what you mean Re. pricing, but I don't see MINI ever doing a genuinely 'Cheap N' Cheerful' model, as it would kill the 'Prestige' image and possibly alienate the majority of the buyers for the existing range if they thought the brand was going 'downmarket'. It would also ruin the margins if buyers stopped speccing-up and stayed 'basic', so it pays to keep things relatively upmarket. I don't know how they'll price the Rocketman if and when it comes out, but I reckon it'll AT LEAST be in well-specced Fiat 500 territory (£11 - 12K+) - which I reckon is the target market for the car, people who are attracted to the MINI's Retro Chic, want a stylish, sporty wee car, maybe don't think (having never tried it) that the MINI ONE has the 'street cred' and aren't prepared to spend £££ on looking cool in a COOPER or S. Who can tell? If you want a 'Real Mini, small fun and cheap', you're looking at a Classic!

Personally, I've always bitten the bullet money-wise with my MINIs, as I reckon the extra cost is worth it in the first instance for the driving experience and the looks - and since 2003, I can't rule out the NMS Factor! I couldn't really have had much more overall enjoyment and good times with any other car and any other group of people, and despite my current moans at the way I see 'Corporate MINI' going, I still get a kick out of the whole MINI scene.

[ELFMAN]

I'm not going to defend MINI pricing, but have you priced up a "normal" car of late? Even a bog standard Focus is 15.5K these days (granted, a Fiesta is closer in size and costs 10K). However, the point is for the coupe what is the competition? A basic Megane Coupe is over 17K and in terms of looks that's what people will compare it to. Most other cars are sold without many extras on them it's just that people like to add kit to Minis to make them more individual, it's what MINI sold as the aim when they came out. Also makes them a lot more money...

As for the Rocketman, I like it. The rear lights won't be on the production car, but the double hinged doors might make it (last large scale production car I remember them on was the Renault Avantime unless anyone can correct me?). The roof could make it but would be as an option I'd have thought.

Much more like it though :-)

Euan - I agree Re. the COUPE, as I've said elsewhere, I think it's a genuinely interesting addition to the MINI range as it should offer excellent dynamics with the lower centre of gravity etc and with the JCW running gear it should be a really exciting drive, not to mention the unique looks. I'd certainly have one over a Megane any day (which is a good motor, but not a MINI!). As far as Coupe prices go - if you really want one, you'll find the cash for it. I was prepared to pay a premium my R53/R56 as I think they're worth the money from a driver's point of view, although the Coupe would be a bit harder to justify as it's going to be in a different price bracket to the R56.

I'm just not convinced we NEED the Rocketman in the mix as well - however cute and cool it might be - but I've mentioned in my previous post why it might be on the horizon.

[Mon the fish]

The Coupe is right up against the RCZ - same engine. And the RCZ looks a hell of a lot better. Whether the French have yet mastered the art of building cars properly is anyone's guess

[GCA3N]

The Coupe is right up against the RCZ - same engine. And the RCZ looks a hell of a lot better. Whether the French have yet mastered the art of building cars properly is anyone's guess

The RCZ is stunning but I'd love to see a works coupe next to it.

[ELFMAN]

I still have a bit of a concern that MINI is becoming almost TOO diverse - if you can have such a thing - they've moved into other markets with the Countryman etc etc, where there ARE viable alternatives from other manufacturers at more affordable prices, whereas when the MINI was introduced, it was arguably unique in its market segment, not to mention a better drive than any of its 'competitors'.

As Mon said, the Coupe is up against lots of other stylish offerings, and the Countryman is in a market crowded with 'family-friendly' soft-roaders, which presumably are chosen mainly on practicality, equipment and price, not necessarily style and handling. A growing family won't automatically move from a MINI Hatch/Clubbie to a Countryman - they might WANT to, but other factors might dictate that they can't. As I've mentioned before, even MINI Hatch (and probably Rocketman if and when it arrives) sales must be taking a hit from the Fiat 500 (I've lost count of the number of 500's I've seen - mainly driven by women in their 30's - who I'll bet would've been in ONES and COOPERS a couple of years ago).

Visiting a MINI Dealer last week, I clocked the HUGE amount of 'Pre-Owned' MINIs on the forecourt, so while new car sales have been doing OK, every time someone buys new and trades in a year-old MINI (or younger - as you know, many folks don't hang on to their MINIs for long...), it must affect overall resale values, as there are now so many 2nd-hand MINIs on offer. I gathered that the finance package available for brand new cars is actually a bit more attractive than that for the 'Cherished' cars, which might explain the forecourt 'traffic jam'.

MINI can keep producing great cars, but they have to convince people to buy them (and the cars which were traded in for them) in sufficient numbers - which I obviously hope they do.

[KenL]

On the Coupe, Motoring File are reporting that it will be priced between the hatch and the convertible. Hopefully that is not just the USA.

[Mon the fish]

On the subject of the Coupe, I'm struggling to see the point. The styling (especially at the back) is a bit unresolved; it's heavier than the hatch; and it has the same power.

I can only see the point if it gets more power, and a 200kg weight loss (its 60-70kg heavier than the hatch) - a GP Coupe if you like.

[Mon the fish]

Exactly! Beats me...

[ELFMAN]

Good news today Re. BMW's investment into the MINI production facilities for the "Next Generation MINI".

I do wonder though exactly how "MINI" the "Next Generation" will be... fingers crossed.