Mini is exploring additional models to join the just-unveiled new Cooper, Countryman and the upcoming Aceman, including the potential for a 7-seater and a reborn modern Moke or equivalent utilitarian model.
Speaking to the Australian media at the launch of the new all-electric Mini Cooper and Mini Countryman today, the global boss of Mini, Stefanie Wurst, said the brand is exploring lots of possibilities for future models.
“I think there are more body types available,” Wurst said.
“I think the Mini brand is really strong, we can only imagine what other concepts we can launch under Mini because the brand is about urban mobility, smart, fun and we are always open to new concepts.”
Speaking of other potential models that may eventually go into production, Wurst brought up the Urbanaut concept, which Mini launched in November 2020.
“The Urbanute was a great concept… it wasn’t very specific on the seating capacity but the concept had a lounge with two benches across with each other, so you can imagine a bigger seating capacity as well”
While it may not be a model currently under active development, Wurst said these are the sort of vehicles possible under the Mini brand as it seeks to differentiate its offering from BMW for any future product in order to alleviate any potential cannibalisation.
As for a new Moke or a utilitarian style vehicle, Wurst admitted that such concepts are definitely under review and consideration given the Clubman model will be dropped.
“I think [a utilitarian vehicle] would fit the Mini brand very well, also possible if you think of it as a variation of a Countryman it would be a great concept… in China, when they were locked down in Covid they used these rugged vehicles and went camping in the desert, and rugged is very relevant in a lot of areas in the U.S., and also in China”
“Without Clubman, the goal is to work with the Countryman as much as we can in the future as we will only have one so we have to make use of this car as much as we can.”
All future models that are under consideration will no doubt fall under the brand’s future vision of pure electric as Mini seeks to ditch the internal combustion engine by 2030.
