Mini’s stunning Superleggera Vision Concept unveiled this spring at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza is reportedly at least six month away from being approved by BMW bosses.
That’s obviously good news for Mini fans, as the Superleggera roadster enjoyed a warm welcome when it came out. Peter Schwarzenbauer, BMW board member responsible for the Mini and Rolls-Royce brands, said a decision to build the model is half a year away.
“To really investigate seriously… you look into several different options, you come to the question: do we produce it ourselves, do we give it to somebody else. To evaluate all of this, I would say six months at least,” Schwarzenbauer told Reuters at Mini’s Oxford plant.
Although Mini didn’t say anything about the study’s engine, it appears that the Superleggera Vision Concept is fitted with an electric powertrain. A closer look at the concept reveals that it has no exhaust pipes, no rev counter or paddle shifters. However, it remains to be seen whether the production car will follow the same pattern.
If it gets the green light, the Mini Superleggera would become the brand’s eighth model. Still, Schwarzenbauer said the brand’s strategy for the coming years leans towards reducing the number of variants to five. No decision has yet been taken, but the models which are most at risk (especially if the Superleggera is approved) are the Roadster, Coupe and Paceman.
“I think, slightly on the emotional side, that concentrating on five superheroes has a great appeal to me,” the executive said, without saying which of the current models could be dropped. Mini’s current lineup includes the Hatch, Five-door, Convertible, Coupe, Roadster, Paceman and Countryman.
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