[WillMW]

With the announcement of the Mini Cooper SE, Mini has been given the ok to create a production version of the Mini Rocketman concept from 2011. It will happen thanks to a joint venture with BMW and Great Wall Motors called Spotlight Automotive.

A senior BMW official spoke with Autocar and told them "“We’re advancing plans for a model along the lines of the Rocketman. It’s a car we have been looking at for a long time, but to build it profitably at the price point we think customers are prepared to pay, you need a joint venture partner to share costs. Great Wall Motors has provided that opportunity with a shared electric car platform that will be used by Mini.”

In terms of the specs for the Rocketman, BMW hasn't made anything official but Autocar expects there to be similarities with the Ora R1 that Great Wall Motors makes.

Nothing has been made official at this stage, though the production version of the Rocketman is expected to share its underpinnings and key elements of its electric driveline with the Ora R1 – a compact hatchback launched by Great Wall Motors’ new Ora electric vehicle sub-brand in 2018. At 3495mm in length, 1669mm in width and 1530mm in height, the R1 is similar in dimensions to the 2011 Rocketman concept. It is powered by a front-mounted electric motor developing 47bhp and 92lb ft of torque. Energy is provided by a standard 30.7kWh or optional 33kWh lithium-ion battery, providing the price leading Ora model with an official range of 310km and 351km respectively.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

I'm purely after aesthetics with this and if Mini can pull it off right, similar to what Hyundai did to the Nexo fuel cell model, then I can assure you a deposit will be placed

 

[WillMW]

I'm purely after aesthetics with this and if Mini can pull it off right, similar to what Hyundai did to the Nexo fuel cell model, then I can assure you a deposit will be placed

If they keep the styling I'm going to have a hard time saying no as well lol :smile_big:

 

[MiniFootPrint]

The BMW i3 hinted a bit it wanted to be retro but couldn't in ways a Mini can. Now the opportunity is here.

So far the Cooper SE doesn't have enough EV interior design going on.

 

[WillMW]

The BMW i3 hinted a bit it wanted to be retro but couldn't in ways a Mini can. Now the opportunity is here.

So far the Cooper SE doesn't have enough EV interior design going on.

I really like the Cooper SE's design so far, what kinds of things are you looking for with the interior?

 

[MiniFootPrint]

Modern design. What the SE has is dated and has existed in Mini's current lineup for longer than I can remember.

 

[JordanPW]

Modern design. What the SE has is dated and has existed in Mini's current lineup for longer than I can remember.

Agree.

I think part of it though comes down to poor sales.
Why invest even more if your in the negatives? The SE might do enough to attract people back to the brand.

 

[WillMW]

With BMW's renewed focus into EVs thanks to their new CEO, I could definitely see some changes made for the SE.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

With BMW's renewed focus into EVs thanks to their new CEO, I could definitely see some changes made for the SE.

even just considering BMW's competition alone, without making these changes to the SE it won't last long and see poor sales

 

[WillMW]

even just considering BMW's competition alone, without making these changes to the SE it won't last long and see poor sales

This should be a promising sign for Mini. BMW is expected to offer 25 different electrified vehicles by 2023 (13 EVs and 12 Hybrids) according to Automobile Magazine. Here's what they wrote about Mini.

In addition to the Mini SE, which is based on the current Hardtop and goes on sale early next year, and the inevitable engineless Phantom, the BMW Group’s electric cars also include the all-new Mini being developed under the Project Grizzly banner in concert with China’s Great Wall Motors. Contrary to earlier reports, it appears that management has since black-flagged the internal-combustion versions in favor of an all-electric model range. Due in 2023, we expect a super-short-wheelbase MiniMini, a more compact and prettier replacement for the mainstay three-door version, and a Mini crossover. All three are said to be FWD, use a skateboard-style chassis, and offer a choice of 35- or 50-kWh battery packs.

https://www.automobilemag.com/news/bmw-and-m-evs-phevs-electric-vehicles-2023/

 

[WillMW]

I might have spoken too soon...

BEIJING -- China's Great Wall Motor on Wednesday said that its Chinese joint venture with BMW faced regulatory uncertainties as both companies pledged to proceed with their plans in the world's No. 1 market.

Great Wall's statement, made in a stock market filing, came in response to media reports that the alliance was in trouble.

German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported on August 4 that the tie-up could fail, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Since February 2018 BMW and Great Wall have worked on plans to build a low-cost electric vehicle on a joint platform which BMW would use for the Mini brand and Great Wall would use for its own brand.

BMW and Great Wall have not yet received permission to build a new plant in Changsu, China, and Chinese State Planning authorities last year tightened regulations on adding manufacturing capacity unless factory utilization rates improve.

Hit by the U.S.-China trade war, China's vehicle sales have fallen for 12 months in a row, including in June. Industry officials and analysts now expect light-vehicle demand to slide some 5 percent this year, its first decline since the 1990s.

"At present, the project is proceeding as planned, and the two parties are communicating on the details of the cooperation and preparing for the project to seek approval from the relevant authorities," Great Wall said in its statement.

BMW also said the joint venture was going very well in all work streams and significant progress was being made in all business areas.

https://www.autonews.com/china/bmw-...ainties?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[MiniFootPrint]

Situations like this can change for the positive in a big way depending on a lot of factors. Political being one of them that I will be watching closely.

 

[JordanPW]

Its been holding VW back from launching its new electric vehicle line up.