A more-mini MINI could happen

MINI has not ruled out an even smaller model that would draw a direct line to the original 1959 model with more diminutive proportions than the new 2024 MINI Cooper three-door hatchback (pictured).

It’s by no means confirmed, but the iconic BMW-owned British marque says future developments in technology and current consumer demand would make a more mini MINI a possibility for introduction.

Speaking at the launch of the 2024 Mini Cooper three-door in Melbourne this week, MINI head of interior design Sebastian Kroes said the company was always experimenting with different sized models including vehicles bigger than the Countryman SUV as well as those smaller than the Cooper 3 Door hatch.

In between are the new MINI Cooper 5 Door hatch and the all-new MINI Aceman electric SUV.

“We really like the thinking… of the classic MINI and therefore we are always trying to push the boundaries in terms of size limits,” he said.

But while the company could be sketching concepts right now, Kroes said that electric drivetrain technology was a limiting factor and the new Cooper was as small as it can be given the technology available at the time of its design.

However, with all brands developing smaller and lighter electric powertrains and batteries, including BMW and MINI, a littler MINI may be closer than we think.

“We’re really proud on what have we achieved for the MINI Cooper because it's not a given thing that we were able to keep the classic proportions,” said Kroes.

“Making cars electric normally means they grow so, right now, that’s quite the limit of what we were able to achieve. But maybe future technologies will help us to go even more effective, more in that direction of shrinking it even more.”

Recent nomenclature changes and the adoption of Cooper for all three and five-door models now leaves a tantalising gap at the entry point of the line-up, leaving the door open for a smaller model to simply wear ‘MINI’ badging.

Either way, Kroes and his design team agree the original design and dimensions of the first MINI have timeless appeal and, when asked if he’d like to see a model closer in size to the original, he repeated his admiration of the Issigonis-designed icon.

“We really like the classic MINI and how it stands on the road and the stance of it and the character of the car,” he said.

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