New Mini range restricted to five models

Mini has announced that the range of its new-generation cars will be limited to five models. The announcement came at an event in Munich, Germany when Peter Schwarzenbauer, head of the Mini brand, said that the five-door Mini Clubman — to be launched internationally in 2015 — will be the third of five models for the brand.

The first two models are the recently launched three-door and five-door hatchbacks, and the fourth model is likely to be a replacement for the Countryman. Although details are not clear on what the fifth model is, reports suggest it could be a soft-top.

Schwarzenbauer also said that the next five years could see plug-in versions of the Mini. On being questioned about future models in the pipeline, he said, “This is work in progress, but we are continually questioning Mini’s future. We will adjust the brand quite a lot over several years. The heritage will still be important, but we also have to be shaped by the zeitgeist.”