Copyright © HT Media Limited
All rights reserved.
The BMW-owned company has chosen the 107th birthday of the iconic car's creator -- Sir Alec Issigonis -- as the date for the next Mini's global debut.
The reveal will take place at the Mini production plant in Oxford and will be followed up with a party in London before the new car heads to Los Angles and Tokyo for its first motor show appearances, two days later.
One of the world's most enduring automotive brands, the Mini has been in production since 1959 and was revolutionary upon its launch. The first car with a transversely-mounted engine to save space and improve balance, the Mini was nimble, surprisingly spacious and because it had one wheel at every corner, was great fun to drive. As such it was not only a hit with car buyers it also established itself as a serious race and rally car.
Even Enzo Ferrari admitted that his only regret was that he hadn't designed the Mini. Since rescuing the brand some 19 years ago, BMW has done everything it can to recapture that excitement and to align the Mini with innovation and excitement and for the most part it has succeeded. And, while the company won't be drawn on the specific details of the latest model, it has confirmed that the car will feature new engines, new chassis technologies, even greater levels of quality and comfort and a host of connected car features.