Auto Express"s top German...
Auto Express"s top German contacts have uncovered plans for a striking new entry-level MINI rival that will see the firm take on BMW"s baby for the first time.
With only the nose of...
With only the nose of the car hidden from prying eyes, the mag"s image is the best picture yet of the MPV. And when it hits dealers, customers can expect a C6-inspired face, as we showed in issue 902.
Clearly visible is the extra-tall windscreen line, which hints at an airy interior. The cabin will also benefit from a versatile fold-flat seating layout.
Five and seven-seater models will be offered from launch next year, although the larger car is tipped to debut first, at September"s Paris Motor Show. Unlike the five-seater spotted by our spies, the bigger version has a near-vertical tailgate and extended roofline for improved headroom in the rearmost row.
The smaller MPV is likely to debut at March"s Geneva Motor Show, and will be priced from around ÷£14,000. That"s far more than the outgoing model, and reflects the move upmarket. However, the existing Picasso will continue to be sold as an entry-level machine, so the newcomer is set to get a fresh name.