MINI

MINI through the ages.

The original in the premium segment of small cars has reached its 60th birthday – but it is even younger than ever. It was sixty years ago, to be precise on 26 August 1959, that British Motor Corporation proudly revealed the result of their development activities in creating a new, revolutionary compact car. Lots of space inside with minimum dimensions outside, seats for four passengers, impeccable driving characteristics, superior fuel economy, and a very affordable price – precisely this was the brief the creator of the Mini, automotive engineer and designer Alec Issigonis, received from BMC’s Top Management.

And ever since the re-birth of the brand with the market launch of the MINI in 2001, the principle already applied successfully sixty years ago has once again proven its full value: a superior concept is always convincing in many different variants and renditions. Today, this still applies for all models of the MINI family. They all show their individual strength and unique character, while right inside they are one and the same car in particular: a MINI.

MINI goes electric.

In 2008, 612 MINI E cars were modified, largely by hand, and, from 2009 on, road-tested by private and business customers.

The BMW Group wanted to see how an average driver would cope with the unique aspects of an electric car in everyday situations. Between 2009 and 2013, the cars clocked up more than 16 million kilometres in six countries on three continents, contributing to basic research.

The first MINI John Cooper Works.

The first MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman celebrate their world premiere at the International Motor Show in Geneva in 2008. These are the first two models released by MINI under the MINI John Cooper Works name.

The new MINI John Cooper Works GP is the fastest model of the British brand that has ever been approved for road use. It offers unrivalled sporty flair and overwhelming agility. As such, it forms part of a fascinating tradition that has been closely linked to the name of the legendary Formula 1 designer John Cooper ever since the debut of the classic Mini 60 years ago.

The new MINI.

A year after the sale of the Rover Group, the new MINI celebrated its world premiere under the BMW Group umbrella in summer 2001: The brand launched its comeback with MINI One and MINI Cooper models.

The first open-top Mini.

Working in partnership with Southwark Council to deliver a GBP£2 billion regeneration programme on 28 acres of land in the centre of Elephant & Castle. Over the next ten years, we will build nearly 3,000 new homes, over 50 shops and restaurants, and a brand new park available for all of the local community to enjoy.

The first Mini Clubman.

The Clubman Series was introduced in October 1969 and at 11 centimetres longer than the Classic Mini became one of the most modern-looking variants in the line-up. Although the noticeably longer front end went against the original idea of building the shortest car possible, it was necessitated by stricter crash requirements. It also opened up the chance to use bigger engines.

Mini “twins” are born.

In 1957, Alec Issigonis designed the first Mini in response to the oil crisis. His directions from the company were to create maximum space with minimal dimensions, room for four people, impeccable driving characteristics and low petrol consumption. In August 1959, the British Motor Corporation (BMC) introduced a small four-seater under two names: the Austin Seven and the Morris Mini-Minor.