Micro MINI canned

MINI’s top exec and BMW board member, Peter Schwarzenbauer, has shocked journalists at a press conference late last night by admitting he couldn’t imagine a smaller car than the current three-door hatch.

The public revelation came following questions over an entry-level MINI joining the line-up when Schwarzenbauer said: “I don’t see a smaller car than the current one.”

Rumour has been rife that MINI was considering a joint venture with Toyota to create a smaller, cheaper MINI called the MINI Minor, according to Germany’s Auto Bild.

The MINI Minor, it was hoped, would have taken styling cues from the well-received 2011 Rocketman concept, but now those plans appear to have been shelved by the British car maker.

Despite other commentators reporting the Superleggera concept was green lit for production in early 2018, Schwarzenbauer announced: “I cannot confirm that it has been approved yet”, but the MINI boss went on to add that he thought the little roadster would be a “great addition to the MINI range”.

Saying that he is “still pushing” to get the production model approved, Schwarzenbauer freely admits to being a big fan of the Superleggera following its unveiling last May at the Villa d’Este concourse d’elegance near Como, Italy.

As well as the Superleggera, Schwarzenbauer announced that MINI is to continue to develop its all-electric technology.

“Electrification of MINI is very important. We are working on that, but I cannot confirm when and what,” said Schwarzenbauer.

The MINI boss went on to tell journalists that the car maker is struggling with the packaging of the next-generation MINI EVs.

“Finding available space in a car as small as the MINI is not easy,” Schwarzenbauer said.

Last year MINI sold 303,030 cars worldwide and for 2015 predicts yet higher sales.