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Mini could go even bigger with next Countryman

We recently reported that the new family of Minis could balloon from eight models to ten or more, but it's not only the model line that's expected to grow: so too could the largest model itself. That, of course, would be the Countryman, which is already bigger than anything else ever to wear the Mini badge. But if you think the current Countryman is already big enough, the latest reports suggest that it could get even bigger. Apparently parent company BMW feels a larger Mini crossover would better compete with more mainstream models in the marketplace.
The Countryman, however, will only be one of the new variants to spin off of the new third-generation Mini. Expect the new Hardtop hatchback introduced in LA to be followed by a new Cabriolet, Roadster, and Paceman. A five-door version of the base hatchback will also join in addition to the new Clubman, which is tipped to get a split tailgate instead of the single hinged aperture on the current model. The jury's still out on the Mini Coupe, which has largely failed to impress, while a convertible crossover could be back in the mix along with the rumored plug-in hybrid version.

New Mini EV below the Countryman reportedly debuts this year

In October 2020, Mini provided the broad strokes of the sea-change overhaul coming to its model lineup. In the meantime, we've seen the coming 2023 Countryman and 2023 Hardtop. But haze still surrounds mentions of two more crossovers, one of them electric-only, and what was in store for the five-door hatch and the Clubman. Now that we're closer to sheetmetal reveals, Autocar believes it understands the rundown. Starting at the top of the range, the Clubman takes a fresh design into its third generation, but not a plug-in hybrid powertrain. For some reason, the PHEV didn't get approval under Mini's Power of Choice strategy to provide model lineups with gas, diesel, PHEV, and electric propulsion options. The Clubman will get an all-electric trim, though, and this is thought to be the "compact" crossover Mini mentioned in 2020. This is expected to debut before the end of this year. The third-gen Clubman is expected to grow eight inches longer, making more room not only for growing families and consideration among North American buyers, but also for a smaller model to slide underneath. The new, electric-only small crossover whirrs into this space. It will be built in China as part of Spotlight, which is BMW Group's partnership with Chinese automaker Great Wall. No one has said definitively if this CUV will be sold globally, but Mini's revised production plans will have the hardtop and convertible being built in Oxford, England, the Clubman and Clubman moving from the Netherlands plant to Leipzig, Germany, and the automaker's electric models being built in China. It's hard to believe China won't export any of the electric product, especially considering how important both the crossover and EV segments are to Mini. This small electric crossover and the three-door Hardtop EV are moving to a new platform that can house more battery, a crucial aspect for small offerings to address. The 2023 Hardtop and the small electric CUV are also predicted to debut later this year. it's said the latter won't stick to Mini's retro theme, but sport a "much more radical design." On top of that, Australia's Car Expert reported, "Mini is also set to introduce another premium compact car in an as-yet unrevealed segment, potentially based on the Vision Urbanaut concept." The Mini four-door (five-door in other markets) and Clubman seem headed for the sunset.

Honda engines and giant killing in the classic Mini Cooper

Electric Federal has taken a fresh look back at the enduring legacy of original Mini with a video interview with Heritage Garage's Graham Reid, one of the foremost experts on classic Minis. As Electric Federal points out, it's important to remember that the Mini did not start out as a performance car. It was built in response to the Suez Canal crisis of the mid-50s, which had a similar effect on British gas prices as OPEC did on American prices in the 1970s - rationing and rapid price jumps.
Through the years, Minis have grown from their budget roots to become seriously competent performance machines. As Reid says, a 150-horsepower Mini on the right track should have no problem outpacing a contemporary Porsche 911.
For some time now, classic Mini owners have been dropping Honda engines under the tiny hoods of their classics. With up to 250 horsepower pulling a car that tips the scales at barely 1,200 pounds, the upgraded Mini is "a real sleeper," Reid says. Interestingly, Reid doesn't mention another increasingly common swap in the Mini community - Suzuki Hayabusa-powered Coopers.