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Mini planning smaller and larger models to expand range

Mini is keen to make models both larger and smaller than its current range, company boss Bernd Körber has revealed to Autocar. Speaking at the Frankfurt motor show, he said he’d like to see Mini “grow in some aspects” while he’d also “love to see the core Mini shrink again”. Autocar recently outlined plans for Mini to make a larger model than the current Countryman in the next generation of its line-up, potentially reviving the Traveller name. Körber said that although “it would be hard to imagine a Mini the size of a BMW X3 or X5”, there is a need in the next-generation Mini range “to address the growth in SUVs and look at if we need a compact SUV”. Körber added: “The Countryman is a very small SUV. In the US and China, there are certain needs. We will look at a compact SUV in the next generation. There’s lots of benefits with a car like that for urban use. For me, it’s a good match.” Körber said that although such a car would be the biggest Mini, it would still be one of the smallest SUVs in its segment. “There’s interest in the small car segments. We can stretch the interpretation of Mini always being the smallest but I can’t imagine being bigger in a segment. We need to fulfil a requirement on size.” As for making a smaller Mini, Körber was referring to shrinking the size of the current three-door hatchback rather than a production version of the Rocketman concept, which, Autocar understands, is also a live project within the company as part of a joint venture with its partner in China, Great Wall. “We are having proportion and design discussions at the moment,” he said. “The task now is to design it. In three to four years, I’d like to see the start of the next generation.” He added: “Hopefully in the next generation, we can make it even more compact, back to where Mini comes from.” Körber said Mini would continue to offer internal combustion engines in cars in the next-generation range alongside battery electric versions, something that would be the case for at least the next five to 10 years. In the long term, he believes Mini’s customer base and brand positioning are well placed for Mini to become a solely electric brand but that is some way off for
Origin: Mini planning smaller and larger models to expand range

Volvo could expand its range with larger and smaller SUVs

2019 Volvo XC90Handout / Volvo Volvo could be planning even more SUV models, based on the success of its utility vehicles around the world specifically, it may look to fill its lineup with trucks both larger and smaller than anything in its range today.We are not excluding the idea of additions to the companys SUV range, CEO Hakkan Samuelsson said in talks with Auto Express, before adding that when it comes to Volvos crossovers, pundits should not exclude the idea that there might be a bigger one, but maybe also a smaller one.According to a story from Swedish outlet Teknikens Varld, the Swedish brand has known its needed a vehicle larger than the XC90 to compete with other brands offerings since 2002, but a lack of funds from former parent company Ford stalled development.However, since Volvo was bought by Geely in 2010, the brand has reopened the idea of creating an XC100 based on the SPA 2 archicecture, internally called Project V616.(When broken down, the codename reveals the project is part of class 6, for Volvos largest cars; 1 for a first-generation model; and another 6 to denote an SUV.)The same Swedish outlet says the XC100 will arrive in 2022 or 2023; that it will be five inches longer in wheelbase than the current XC90; and that it will sit an inch taller.As for the SUV smaller than the XC40? It hasnt been totally fleshed out yet, but its possible it will borrow technology from Geely, and might only be leased, not sold. It will also likely feature an electric powertrain, as the XC40 is already rumoured to receive
Origin: Volvo could expand its range with larger and smaller SUVs