[Mini EV News]

BMW has hinted at their intention to change the MINI brand into an all-electric automotive company in the States and we’ve already seen a concept model of the all-electric MINI, due to go on sale in 2019, which is expected to sit on a modified version of the UKL1 platform. But a rebranding is going to require more than one model. Rumor has it, MINI is now working on an electric crossover, sized to slot under the Countryman.

Auto Express received some exclusive images of the Countryman’s smaller sibling and according to an unnamed source close to MINI, “the new model is likely to be similar in footprint to today’s five-door car.” Perhaps it’ll give the Volkswagen T-Cross a run for its money if the MINI crossover has a similar length as the four-door hatch. That would also put it in a similar size range as the Mazda CX-3.

Not much is known about the new electric crossover, but it is speculated to make use of the automaker’s all-new platform, which should be shared with the BMW 1-Series, 2-Series, X1, and i3.

The MINI crossover is expected to be launched in 2021 at the earliest and the rumored all electric variant is a plus for the blooming SUV/crossover market.

 

[Mr. Twister]

I think MINI is overweighting their customers with all these upcoming EV models. In my opinion, it would have been better to announce it later on or after official MINI EV release.

 

[Greenie]

Perhaps it's a way for them to hold on to potential customers if those buyers know what's coming, but at the same time MINI has nothing to show for it right now aside from concepts and promises. Would have been better to announce their intent to go full electric after the reveal of their first production ready model and then move from there.

 

[Mr. Twister]

MINI has nothing to show for it right now aside from concepts and promises.

That's my point. They've been teasing us with that MINI EV model for quite a long time already, and now without any updates on MINI EV model, they decided to throw in another electric car.

 

[Josh911]

Yeah, I don't understand their strategy too. A while back a report was claiming that the MINI line-up could be made up of solely electric models in the US and we thought it was rather peculiar. Now, a new report is coming out, quoting officials from the brand, saying the move towards complete electrification could be done for all markets. It seems like even MINI don't know what they're doing.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

That's my point. They've been teasing us with that MINI EV model for quite a long time already, and now without any updates on MINI EV model, they decided to throw in another electric car.

But the concept is just as important since it shows what they're thinking, although in the end we will get a shred of what's seen. Still, just like with any ideation process or conceptual design, a lot of serious intentions go into it along with exerations of what will actually make it.

So although we seen an electric concept, even that has things regular and cheaper models could have.

 

[Greenie]

But most importantly is the battery pack and motors from the concept, which could be used for future hybrid models if not a full electric crossover?

 

[MiniFootPrint]

But most importantly is the battery pack and motors from the concept, which could be used for future hybrid models if not a full electric crossover?

We might not even see that exact setup but what we can benchmark the product version off of is the specs they talked about along with what is generally known and expected in the industry during the time this will launch, after all its what Mini is up against.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

Looking at the events happening in the automotive world soon it seems we might have some confirmation on this given the fact NAIAS 2018 is right around the corner and not all car makers will wait to drop information. Sometimes it a matter of some interviewer asking a CEO specific questions.