MINI Rocketman hits the chopping block

MINI Rocketman concept - 23.2.2011

At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, MINI unveiled the Rocketman concept to the world's media. It received a positive reaction which raised hopes that it could eventually reach production. Now it appears to have failed to hit those expectations, reports have claimed the model will be consigned to the concept scrapheap as development plans have been canceled.

The short platform of the MINI Rocketman had a wheelbase of just 3050mm and a length of 3419mm, this is 304mm shorter than the regular three-door MINI hatch. It created so many development problems in the areas of handling, stability and crash performance that it would require a huge expense if the project were to go forward.

The model is known internally as the MINImini or MINI City and should have returned the brand to its core values. Larger vehicles such as the Countryman and Clubman don't really follow what the MINI brand is all about.

Source: carmagazine

MINI Zero concept speculatively rendered
(10 comments)
MINI to launch three new models - report
(4 comments)
MINI Design Director wants a production Rocketman
(2 comments)
MINI Rocketman concept approved for production - report
(4 comments)
MINI Rocketman concept revealed in Geneva
(4 comments)

Related Photo Album

MINI rocketman concept (40 photos)

Add a Comment

Comments (8)

newest first oldest first

Subscribe to comments

Herr.Bugno

3050 mm seems quite a large wheelbase to me! ;-))

-1

January 24, 2012 5:13 am

report abuse | reply

MrDanaston

what a real shame, BMW have made a massive mistake. tut tut tut.

January 24, 2012 5:15 am

report abuse | reply

GRAVE

Whats with those stupid names in Minis? Countryman and Rocketman. Whats next?

January 24, 2012 5:25 am

report abuse | reply

1 reply

Speedoholic

Agreed. What's next? a Mini Spiderman?

-2

January 24, 2012 7:01 am

report abuse | reply

dbehmoaras

The whole idea of the city-car is a marketing gimmick if you ask me. Sure, the city car is smaller than your average hatch, but that's like saying an ant is bigger than a flea. My question is this: do we really need cars to be that small? Parking benefits there are, but they already exist with a Cooper-sized car. I'd rather have a crumple zone that's composed of metal rather than my legs. I'm glad this thing isn't coming. Let them bring on the new Cooper instead. My two cents.

-1

January 24, 2012 6:36 am

report abuse | reply

2 replies

peterjames7

Small city cars are well suited to european and asian cities. Cities that have history that goes back more than 300 yrs and the streets are narrow with limited parking. Although im glad this car is dead i liked the idea of going back to its roots but i didnt like the exterior design

January 24, 2012 7:22 am

report abuse | reply

1 reply

dbehmoaras

Going back to its roots is a different issue. I have driven in these kinds of cities in the past (Florence, many towns on the French Riviera, etc...) and I maintain that if a car as small as a Cooper is still too big, then no car should be there at all, for the sake of preserving the city, if you want to argue that route. Furthermore, those kinds of cities or neighborhoods tend to be small enough to walk around in, and many people do. There are many of pedestrians in these areas, which is even more of a reason why the car shouldn't be there. I agree that the exterior design was way too funky. Although at least with this and the Fiat 500, there is a sizable and sturdy enough hood to withstand a low-speed crash. With the Smart, on the other hand, you only drive that car if you don't feel personally attached to your legs. The G-Wiz, well, you don't get one of those unless you lack a soul.

January 24, 2012 9:35 am

report abuse

Jorge_has_A3_TDI

Seems like a huge fail to me. :(

January 24, 2012 7:59 am

report abuse | reply