Oct 7th, 2009 by Ross Edwards
The Mini Cooper has proven that American buyers are capable of separating the ideas of bigger and better. Before the Mini, carmakers assumed that Americans wouldn’t pay for a luxury compact car when they could get a much larger car for the same price. The Mini proved that belief false, and now other automakers are planning to fight for a piece of the compact luxury pie. Audi is planning a new subcompact luxury car to compete with the Mini Cooper in the U.S., and soon BMW, Mini’s parent company, will also join the fray.
Jalopnik is reporting that the newest issue of Car Magazine features a story detailing the 0-Series compact luxury car. The article isn’t available online yet, but Jalopnik says it promises a 0-Series that will be based on the Mini’s platform, and will be front-wheel drive, a first for the company. The 0-Series will be available in three-door hatchback, five-door hatchback and two-seat roadster body styles.
The 0-Series will go on sale in 2013, but there is no word yet if the car will make it to the U.S. That will probably depend on the success of BMW’s new 1-Series small car, along with other factors like Mini’s sales and the company’s need to meet the new U.S. gas mileage requirements.
Click the thumbnail above to see one of BMW’s ads making fun of a competitor’s (namely Audi) use of front-wheel drive.
Picture via Leftlanenews.
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