MINI recently unveiled its facelifted lineup at the
North American International Auto Show and a new report is claiming big changes
are on the horizon.
A handful of BMW and MINI models ride on front-wheel
UKL platform but the company has reportedly determined its upcoming FAAR
architecture is too expensive to be used on MINI models. As a result, the
company tried to convince Toyota to jointly-develop a new small car platform.
However, those talks fell through and pushed BMW to pursue a partnership with
Great Wall.
Automobile Magazine claims the first model based on
the new platform will debut in 2023 and is tentatively known as the Metro
Runner. It will reportedly be followed by a Clubman-like Metro Cruiser and a
Metro Adventurer which is billed as a smaller replacement for the Countryman.
The MINI Convertible, on the other hand, will reportedly be dropped.
