Tuesday 1st April 2008

New Mini Metro Planned

Larger Mini variant could be named 'Metro'

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Image courtesy of Minitreiber.com

Mini is planning a replacement for the Metro, it has been revealed.

In the hands of BMW the Mini has spawned a number of different variants - a convertible, the forthcoming SUV crossover and the Clubman – but now the firm is looking to add a fifth.

Codenamed ‘Knightsbridge’, the new car is reportedly going to be a larger version of the Mini - not as long as the Clubman but with more interior space than the current Mini.

According to website minitreiber.com, company insiders want to call the car ‘Metro’ after the roomier Mini successor.

It could use the same floor pan as the Mini but a larger body will allow for more interior space.

The car could use diesel, hybrid and ethanol/hydrogen technology.

It is even suggested that BMW will look to acquire the MG name so that they can use it for sportier versions of the new car, which is expected in 2011.

A ‘Metro Turbo’ would use the same turbocharged 1.6 as in the Mini Cooper.

Minitreiber.com quoted BMW insider Jan Witz as saying: ‘The Metro may be something of a joke in the UK but in Europe the car is held in high regard.

‘We are keen to stay true to the original – but obviously without the chronic rust problems.’

If all goes well BMW bosses say they could also look to develop a new Montego based on the 3-Series, and a Maestro on the 3-Series Compact platform.

[chunkymonkey71]

If anyone actually believes this...!

[sprinter885]

Yeh right- almost believable until the last paragraph Nice try Oli.!

[dkennedyvxt]

April fool

[Tracked_Out]

Brilliant, you almost had me going for a split second...

[900T-R]

Right - you folks may have confused me for a nanosecond there. Not.

Class as 'must try harder next year' I'm afraid, folks.

[900T-R]

Sorry, forgot the .

before anyone thinks I'm a miserable bd ... oh, wait...

[Bizzle]

Almost had me untill i got down to the "Montego based on the 3 series" quote.


Classic

[Orangecurry]

sprinter885 said:

Yeh right- almost believable until the last paragraph Nice try Oli.!

Exactly - I think it's a very good effort though

[james_tigerwoods]

Perhaps this will be the successor to that rubbish MG/Rover Indian joke car whose name I forget now...

Not believable I'm afraid

Edited by james_tigerwoods on Tuesday 1st April 09:50

[PhantomPH]

You had me until the last paragraph.

[hoganscrogan]

I can't wait, it's just what I'm after, mini is too small inside and clubman looks wrong. I'll be putting my order in today down the mini dealer, might get the first one in UK!! [It would show my smug neighbour

Interestingly I have a new mini and a 1979 allegro. The allegro is smaller on the outside but huge inside compared to the mini. I wonder if BMW have used this as one of their comparisons?

[paultither]

My dad loved his Montego till some bd stole it.

[hugoagogo]

i love how someone there thought "i know, i'll translate 'mini driver' into german using babelfish"

'treiber' is a driver in the computer sense, or someone who 'drives' cattle or sheep

[MK4 Slowride]

I was getting all excited, talk about an anti-climax.

[Fire99]

now that would be priceless.... oh and i think a new Allegro using the 3 series 335i engine should be considered

Slightly bigger than the current mini? That would be a 7 series BMW then!!

[RIPmgmetro]

Forgot what bleeding date it is!!! PH, it builds your hopes up.... Then it drops them again.

P.s. If this isn't a wind-up, can i order mine in wishy washy blue with authentic sill rust bubbles? Ta.

[Bonedaddy]

Nice one PH, very funny.

Is it wrong that I now want to go out and buy a Metro
and make it exactly like that picture?

[zidan172]

I'm not driving a mini metro, I'm not driving a mini metro, I'm not driving a mini metro....

[Fetchez la vache]

Learned to drive in a Metro Turbo.... god awful.

Oddly enought saw a metro the other day - first one in years!.

7/10

[hornetrider]

I was gettin gall nostalgic until the last paragraph