MINI preparing seven seat SUV - report

lmaooooooooo

Actually it is both genius and stupid. Genius because currently Mini has become a well known established brand after its suffering in 80-90s and has many choice for customer. Positioning Mini with Avygo and its club will not make this brand better. I mean more cheap plastic as other cars on that segment have and Mini is never a practical car. Fiat 500 and Twingo, both are still quite practical, but mini design is just a joke if you talk about practicality. So that is the reason for BMW to put Mini brand on overpriced and unique positioning (look now A1 and Mito are approaching Mini's direction). Mentioning the stupidity of diluting Mini brand image, yes it really will bring some impact. However, still not sure about how far the drawback will be offset by the growing of Mini brand. Also never expect a 7 seater Mini is really for 7 persons, it is more about a Mini with bigger and usable boot. This new Mini product can be a new choice for people who want a car with bigger boot for their shopping bag as Mini countryman is more likely to target people who want to drive a "SUV" like on city without worrying every penny goes into fuel.

The current Mini may not be very practical, but the original one certainly was. 80% of an old Mini was the interior space, where People and Things go. But people out-grew it (in size rather than maturity), and a car of that size wouldn't be as big on the inside anymore because they'd have to fill it up with massive plush seats, safety devices and commodities like a/c, an iPod connector, etc. So OK, not necessarily Aygo sized, but like the slightly bigger City Cars - cars such as the Ford Ka/Fiat 500, Renault Twingo, Suzuki Swift. With better packaging than it has now. And the same great driving ability, although it won't need as big an engine because it's smaller and lighter. Which is better for the environment (I am thus seeing no flaw with my new Mini :D). But I'm talking strictly the hatchback here. Well, maybe the convertible too. I don't care what reasoning people give me, I think all the plus-size BMW Minis can either be re-badged and re-designed or be wiped off the face of the Earth.