BMW have finally done it. After months of 'sneak previews' and pictures plastered around various media, they're now showing the new Mini in all its glory. They've done for the Mini what VW did for the Beetle. Hoping to milk the success of the past with a modern interpretation of a classic, albeit a bigger, heavier, German one, the new Mini is here. BMW claim this is not a look back, but a view of the future however. "The Mini Cooper is not a retro design car, but an evolution of the original. It has the genes and many of the key characteristics of its predecessor, but is larger, more powerful, more muscular and more exciting than its predecessor ever was", says Frank Stephenson, the Chief Designer of the Mini. A bold statement given the strength of feeling and heritage felt for the Mini in the UK.

Frankfurt Concept Car

The concept first appeared at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1997 when BMW still owned Rover. Having offloaded the unprofitable maker of tin-tops for retired bank managers, BMW kept the interesting part for themselves and retained control of the Mini brand. They'll be treading an interesting line in brand marketing with the new Mini as they seek to protect the name from misuse. Already there have been reports of well established businesses being asked to remove 'Mini' from their titles.

The new style is unmistakably Mini, a very macho Mini at that. About a foot longer than the original, the modern incarnation must satisfy the latest safety requirements making it a much more solid vehicle than the original. The wheel at each corner principal that was so fundamental to the original design has been preserved. Whilst maximising interior space it should also provide good handling, an area it must excel in if it is to live up to the reputation of its predecessor.

Safer Mini

The body of the Mini is exceptionally rigid, with BMW claiming it has two to three times the torsional stiffness of other cars the same size. This will help give the car go-kart-like handling and of course helps in the event of a collision. Passive safety aids include front and side airbags, unusual for a car of this size. Head airbags are optional, although if anything else were to inflate inside the car in the event of an accident you might think the Michelin man had been driving.

Mechanically it features a sophisticated rear suspension system sourced from BMW's sports saloons. It has disc brakes all-round, ventilated at the front and solid at the rear. Anti-lock brakes and a tyre pressure warning system are fitted as standard and Dynamic Stability Control and xenon headlights are options. The engine is a 16 valve, 1.6 litre unit and will be available with an optional Steptronic automatic transmission.

Who's it for?

So who do BMW think will buy the new car? Obviously they've done their research and they've narrowed it down to two groups. The first group is young and affluent, aged between 20-34, with a higher than average income. Apparently they are "experimental in outlook, enjoy trying new things and tend to be spontaneous and active. They like standing out in a crowd and driving a car that people notice."

The second group is slightly older - less experimental and fashion orientated. They are likely to be 35-50, more professional in profile and the Mini will be the second or third car in the household. These people are interested in cars and have happy memories of the old Mini.

Let's hope they've got their sums right. Nine out of ten drivers in the UK have been in a Mini at some point in their lives and we all have our views on what constitutes a Mini. If BMW have missed the point it would be another expensive mistake. Then again, heritage or no heritage, the new car is a refreshing departure from the other blobby-cars on offer in that sector and deserves to do well for that reason alone.

Link: www.mini.com