All-new bigger MINI to take aim at Golf

EXCLUSIVE MINI boss reveals larger new models with sales expansion in mind

- Steve Fowler

• New MINI boss hints at plans to build rival to Volkswagen Golf
• Both petrol and fully electric powertrains are being planned

MINI'S boss Stefanie Wurst could well included a more direct rival for the Volkswagen Golf, Auto Express can reveal, and our exclusive images show how it might look.

Already confirmed are new three and five-door Cooper hatchbacks, plus a convertible version, the new Aceman crossover (see P.8), which Wurst described as a "gamified concept", and a bigger Countryman.

Speaking to Auto Express, Wurst said: "We have a small and flat car [Cooper], we have small and high [Aceman] and we have large and high [Countryman].

"But we don't have large and flat. Another body type is feasible. I'm a big fan of analyzing different body types."

MINI insiders revealed to Auto Express that a 'VW Golf-sized' model was in the brand's thinking, but Wurst didn't rule out a production version of the Urbanaut concept (as exclusively revealed by Auto Express in issue 1,702). However, clearly a 'lower roofed Countryman' model to rival more conventional family hatches is something Wurst is considering, too. She made no mention of a replacement for the Clubman, though, despite that car previously being touted as a potential Golf rival.

A MINI 'Golf could also help the brand's plans for growth in the US - something the larger Countryman SUV will also aid. "Countryman will be a very good car for the US," she told us. That's because it's set to grow significantly in size, with the all-electric Aceman below it in MINI's line-up.