When BMW sold off Rover in 2000, it retained the Mini project, and moved the planned production site of the car from Rover's Longbridge plant, to BMW's Oxford plant in Cowley, Oxford, England. Ultimately, BMW prevailed, and in 1999, they assumed control over the entire project following the departure of BMW's CEO, Bernd Pischetsrieder. The concept was originally unveiled at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show at a joint BMW/Rover press conference, with details of the Chrysler/BMW joint venture Tritec engine, and proposed trim levels including Mini Minor (not used) and the Cooper/Cooper S. Plans for an all-new supermini to replace the Metro in the mid 1990s were shelved when Rover was sold to BMW in January 1994, with the existing Metro model gaining a restyle and a new designation. During this development phase, there was continual contention between the two design groups, especially concerning the positioning of the car Rover wanted a straight economy car (which would also replace the Rover 100 Series, which had evolved from the Metro in a 1994 restyle), whilst BMW supported a small, sporting car. Development of the car was conducted between 19 by Rover Group in Gaydon, United Kingdom and BMW in Munich, Germany. The Mini Hatch (US: Hardtop) was designed by Frank Stephenson, and drew inspiration from the original two-door Mini. Initial development 1997 BMW Munich designed, sporty New Mini concept 1997 New Mini concept (ACV30) rear 1997 New Mini cockpit concept The Mini convertible is, since 2015, only assembled in the Netherlands. Also, at 3.98 m (157 in), the 2022 five-door hatch stands 68 cm (26.8 in), or some 21%, longer than the original 3.30 m (130 in) Mini estate versions.īMW's Mini models are produced in Cowley, Oxfordshire, England, at Plant Oxford, and since July 2014 (3-door only), at VDL Nedcar (the former DAF/ Volvo plant) in Born, Netherlands. Though still considered very compact, the 2001 hatchback's 3.63 m (143 in) length was 58 cm (22.8 in), or 19%, greater than the 3.05 m (10.0 ft) long 1959 Mini. It was the first model of what has grown to be a prolific Mini range.Ĭontrary to prior replacements, like the 1974 Innocenti Mini and the 1980 Austin Metro, which repackaged the Mini's mechanicals in modernistically styled, slightly larger bodies, BMW's 21st century Minis are the opposite: they have pronounced retro-styling, based on the British originals, but share no parts or technology with the former.

The new Mini (Hatch) was launched by BMW in 2001, one year after their sale of the Rover Group in March 2000, and the classic Mini's discontinuation that same year. The styling of the concept-car, intended to replace the original Mini, was well received by the public and further developed. A two-door convertible version was added in 2004, followed by its second generation in 2008.īMW unveiled their Mini hatch concept at the 1997 Frankfurt International Motor Show, when the Mini marque was still part of the Rover Group, owned by BMW. The second generation was launched in 2006 and the third, adding a longer 4/5-door hatchback, in 2014. They were introduced in early 2000 by German automaker BMW under the 'Mini' brand. The Mini Hatch, stylised as MINI Hatch (or MINI Hardtop in the U.S.), also sold as Mini Cooper, Mini One, or simply called the (BMW) Mini, are a family of retro-styled two-door supermini hatchback and convertible and (from 2014) a longer, subcompact 4/5-door hatchback. Sport compact / hot hatch (Cooper S & JCW) 2014 Mini Cooper 3-door hatchback (United States)

Mini cooper change time