- New MINI boss hints at plans to build rival to Volkswagen Golf
- Both petrol and fully electric powertrains are being planned
MINI'S boss Stefanie Wurst could well included a more direct rival for the Volkswagen Golf, Auto Express can reveal, and our exclusive images show how it might look.
Already confirmed are new three and five-door Cooper hatchbacks, plus a convertible version, the new Aceman crossover (see P.8), which Wurst described as a "gamified concept", and a bigger Countryman.
Speaking to Auto Express, Wurst said: "We have a small and flat car [Cooper], we have small and high [Aceman] and we have large and high [Countryman].
"But we don't have large and flat. Another body type is feasible. I'm a big fan of analyzing different body types."
MINI insiders revealed to Auto Express that a 'VW Golf-sized' model was in the brand's thinking, but Wurst didn't rule out a production version of the Urbanaut concept (as exclusively revealed by Auto Express in issue 1,702). However, clearly a 'lower roofed Countryman' model to rival more conventional family hatches is something Wurst is considering, too. She made no mention of a replacement for the Clubman, though, despite that car previously being touted as a potential Golf rival.
A MINI 'Golf could also help the brand's plans for growth in the US - something the larger Countryman SUV will also aid. "Countryman will be a very good car for the US," she told us. That's because it's set to grow significantly in size, with the all-electric Aceman below it in MINI's line-up.
This story is from the November 09, 2022 edition of Auto Express.
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This story is from the November 09, 2022 edition of Auto Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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