Future Minis Could Use Common Architecture With China’s Great Wall

BMW is reportedly revisiting their strategy about the future of the Mini brand, which might include canning the range’s makeover that was originally scheduled for late 2019.

Autocar reports that BMW is examining the possibility of a collaboration with Chinese car maker Great Wall in order to jointly develop a new small platform that will underpin an all-new range of Mini models to be launched by 2023.

According to sources, the next-generation of the Mini range will probably lose a few members, as both the Convertible and three-door Hatch models are facing the axe.

BMW had to rethink its strategy for the Mini brand after their decision to keep just two platforms for their entire production. The first one is named FAAR and is set to replace the existing UKL architecture for front-drive models and the second one is the existing CLAR, used for the rear-driven models.

That decision is why Mini’s future is still up in the air, as the FAAR platform has been deemed too expensive and too big for the brand’s future models. Mini’s current six-model lineup is based on the UKL platform, shared with a number of BMW models like the BMW X1 and X2 SUVs. BMW plans to launch the first FAAR-based models from 2021.

A deal with Great Wall could be the best choice for BMW, as the two companies already have established a 50/50 joint venture in China, set to produce a battery-electric version of the current Mini Hatch.

If the BMW-Great Wall platform project gets the green light, the next-generation of Minis will be quite different from today’s offerings. Apart from the aforementioned three-door Hatch and Convertible versions biting the dust, the new 2023 Mini lineup will include a compact five-door hatch as well as new Clubman and Countryman models. The new generation is expected to be less bulky and offer better packaging than the current lineup, which is hampered by their platform as it was originally designed for larger vehicles.

The range will include three-cylinder petrol units with mild hybrid assistance as standard, as well as a pure electric version of the platform. Localized production for the Chinese market is highly likely in a bid to boost Mini’s presence in the world’s biggest auto market.

Mini Electric Concept pictured