Report: MINI to expand lineup and streamline production, Coupe and Roadster get dropped for a sports car

The British compact car specialists MINI have been known to keep things quite, mini, in nearly every aspect of their brand, to best accentuate what they do: produce small automobiles. MINI takes their name so seriously that even their entire lineup has always been on the, well, mini side, especially when compared to the competition.

Ok, you get it, but in an interesting move to completely smash that mold—lineup wise at least—word in the pipeline is that MINI wants to have nearly 18 models ready for production off of their two latest BMW-supplied compact architectures within the next five years. Though almost consequently enough, the current Mini Coupe and Roadster will not be on that 18-model roster due to slow sales.

Instead, it will be replaced by one bespoke MINI sports car, which will be available in both hard- and soft-top versions, but no body panels will be shared with the rest of the MINI lineup. This moves the potential model into the possible realm of a halo car.

Additionally, because MINI and BMW are in close partnership, CarSales says that BMW will also be streamlining their engine options, by utilizing four-bangers produced by BMW. Additionally, the future and more powerful Cooper S and John Cooper Works models might use the same 2.0L TwinPower direct-injected and turbocharged four-banger currently seeing duty across BMW’s lineup. This changeover could also mean the closing of Britain’s historic Hams Hall plant as BMW seeks cheaper costs for the production of engines.

Other variants for MINI’s lineup include a sedan, an MPV, and soft-roader crossover MINIs.

For a full read on the report, head on over to CarSales.com.au.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: CarSales.com.au via MotorAuthority