The radical Mini Rocketman concept is set to be put into production, according to Autocar.
The ‘heavily reworked’ take on the ultra-compact design study from 2011, which took aim at the likes of Smart’s ForFour, is to be launched in 2022.
Production for the car would be handled by Spotlight Automotive, a new Chinese-based outfit born out of a joint venture between Mini’s parent firm BMW, and Great Wall Motors. The car is due to be sold globally, including here in the UK.
Unlike the original petrol-or-diesel-powered concept, the production version is expected to be an EV, which will compliment the recently-unveiled Mini Electric.
The car will be a part of BMW’s plan to have 25 plug-in hybrid and pure electric models on the market by the end of 2023.
A senior BMW official told Autocar: “We’re advancing plans for a model along the lines of the Rocketman. It’s a car we have been looking at for a long time, but to build it profitably at the price point we think customers are prepared to pay, you need a joint venture partner to share costs.
“Great Wall Motors has provided that opportunity with a shared electric car platform that will be used by Mini.”
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