Mini concept cars

There have been a number of Mini concept cars, produced to show future ideas and forthcoming models at international motorshows.

The 9X addressed many of the engineering flaws in Issigonis' original design- namely its complexity, its harsh ride and its poor mechanical refinement caused by the gearbox-in-sump layout.

The crankcase and cylinder head were made from aluminium alloy while the block was of cast iron, with all three sections being held together by long through-bolts.

This reduced noise levels caused by the Mini's transmission transfer gears and allowed better control of drivetrain shunt and vibration.

The 9X was, in essence, identical in concept to later European superminis such as the Fiat 127, the Peugeot 104, the Renault 5 and the Volkswagen Polo, but was conceived several years before the first of these cars was launched.

[6] Project Ant ran parallel to Issigonis' 9X and was a plan to keep the same space efficiency but be cheaper to manufacture, less complex and cut down on labour hours on either an eighty or eighty-four inch wheelbase.

[8] Where though Project Ant gave a good account of itself, especially when fitted with Allegro rear suspension, it was eventually decided - though not unanimously - that what was needed was a supermini rather than a new Mini.

[9] In 1967 Roy Haynes joined BMC from Ford Motor Company and was tasked by then Managing Director, Joe Edwards to update the existing Mini.

With the cancellation of the 9X under BMC the small car market had been left to the growing band of superminis which, as the 9X had done, took the Mini concept and improved on it.

The ADO74 project considered various proposed car sizes, from a direct Mini replacement, a more conventional supermini and a compact saloon.

Like the 9X (and most of its would-be competitors) the ADO74 used MacPherson strut front suspension, but with independent trailing arms at the rear, akin to the contemporary Honda Civic.

[14] The ADO74 project progressed slowly - partly due to continuing corporate problems at BL and partly due to the need for numerous design changes requested by the firm's overseas sales division, Leyland International, which took the view that the ADO74 was too conventional and that it would be better to create another innovative car rather than compete directly with the established competition.

The supermini market moved quickly in the early 'Seventies and the ADO74 underwent several redesigned to keep abreast of these changes in order that it wouldn't be outdated as soon as it was released.

The new car was sized to be smaller than the established superminis but larger than a Mini to allow useful improvements in refinement, practicality and safety that the market demanded.

Tests showed that despite its age the engine could still deliver highly competitive fuel economy so it was modernised and updated to create the A-Plus generation.

The conventional suspension of the 9X and the ADO74, and the Mini's solid rubber cone springs, were replaced by the Hydragas system recently debuted on the Austin Allegro which offered a useful improvement in ride quality as well as being much more compact than a standard steel spring and damper setup, which was crucial to provide the car with the required interior space.

The car differs from electric-motor hydrogen concepts, such as the Honda FCX in that it uses a cylinder-based internal combustion engine based on the existing 1.6-litre petrol Mini.

At the Tokyo Auto Show, the same basic concept reappeared with some fanciful additions – a circular roof section that could be removed to form a picnic table with four folding chairs.

[26] On 16 December 2009, Mini revealed the Beachcomber Concept, which drew heavily on the Moke styling while still being packed with modern equipment.

The Beachcomber Concept was based on the forthcoming Countryman all-wheel drive platform, and made its public debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2010.

Designed by Gert Hildebrand,[28] it was based on the recently launched Countryman, with a similar interior, and range of options and drivetrains, including the ALL4 permanent all-wheel drive system.