"The Twins" removed from configurator
Discussion
In short; lack of sales. The Twins were always niche products, but I think the decision was made when Peter Schwarzenbauer took over in mid 2013. Sales have picked up since then however, which may explain the dealers reticence as the cars added variety, not to mention some interest, to the line-up. It's very bland right now with just a selection of so-so styled hatchbacks.
From http://left-lane.com/european-car-sales-data/mini/...
"In 2013, Mini sold 7.485 units of the Clubman, 3.858 units of the Coupe, 2.866 units of the Roadster and 12.300 units of the Convertible in Europe. This means total sales of the Mini Hatchback added up to 67.812 units.
In 2014, Mini Convertible sales increased 18% to 14.515 units and Mini Roadster sales increased 80% to 5.159 units."
I was hoping for some special editions to finish (maybe even a Coupe with flared arches) in the same way the hatches had run-out models with the GP. Alas they've slid into obscurity.
Alternates. Well, there's been talk of the Superleggera replacing the Roadster, but that would be 2018 if it happens at all - Peter Schwarzenbauer seems very non-committal; I think partly because it does not fit the rest of the MINI model range in any way, shape or form. There was some thought when the Twins were first released of launching them under one of the other 'British' brands that BMW own (Mini, Triumph, Riley, Austin, Healey, Morris, Wolseley) though the potential costs incurred in restarting one of these was deemed too high. However, there's rumours of a shared platform with Toyota for a small car (the FWD platform currently shared with BMW is, I believe, too big for anything smaller than the F56) and this may use the Austin name as a sub-brand. Placing the Superleggera as a Healey (and there are definite homages to the 3000 in the Car article linked above) might be possible if they manage the brands as a family instead of a single MINI brand.
From http://left-lane.com/european-car-sales-data/mini/...
"In 2013, Mini sold 7.485 units of the Clubman, 3.858 units of the Coupe, 2.866 units of the Roadster and 12.300 units of the Convertible in Europe. This means total sales of the Mini Hatchback added up to 67.812 units.
In 2014, Mini Convertible sales increased 18% to 14.515 units and Mini Roadster sales increased 80% to 5.159 units."
I was hoping for some special editions to finish (maybe even a Coupe with flared arches) in the same way the hatches had run-out models with the GP. Alas they've slid into obscurity.
Alternates. Well, there's been talk of the Superleggera replacing the Roadster, but that would be 2018 if it happens at all - Peter Schwarzenbauer seems very non-committal; I think partly because it does not fit the rest of the MINI model range in any way, shape or form. There was some thought when the Twins were first released of launching them under one of the other 'British' brands that BMW own (Mini, Triumph, Riley, Austin, Healey, Morris, Wolseley) though the potential costs incurred in restarting one of these was deemed too high. However, there's rumours of a shared platform with Toyota for a small car (the FWD platform currently shared with BMW is, I believe, too big for anything smaller than the F56) and this may use the Austin name as a sub-brand. Placing the Superleggera as a Healey (and there are definite homages to the 3000 in the Car article linked above) might be possible if they manage the brands as a family instead of a single MINI brand.
Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff