MINI
Change MakeMINI Models
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About MINI
MINI is a stylish, beloved premium brand with a clear message that good things—fuel efficiency, tight handling and a cheeky personality—come in small packages. During the 1960s, what would be the Classic Mini Cooper became a cultural phenomenon for being a low-cost, small-sized, nimble vehicle that transcended traditional class barriers.
In 1957, gas prices soared in a post-World War II England, leaving many to question the logic of large, gas-guzzling vehicles. Alec Issigonis, the lead engineer for the Morris Company (part of the British Motor Company), was tasked to design a small, fuel-efficient car that could carry four adults. To create more interior space, Issigonis pushed the wheels out the corners and turned the engine on its side. This enlarged the cockpit and gave the vehicle more stability in tight turns. The first iteration of the Mini launched in 1959, but it was sold under Austin and Morris, the two big BMC marques, as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor. The Mini name didn’t appear until 1961, when John Cooper began to work with the marque and created the Mini Cooper.
Cooper was drawn to the vehicle when—due to its layout innovations—it began to earn a reputation as a standout performance vehicle. Its wide stance gave it nimble handling and the traverses engine weighted the front tires, which created balance and grip. Cooper gave it a more robust engine, bigger brakes and a few other tuning changes. The final product was the Classic Mini Cooper 997. The Cooper and the Cooper S performance variant won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964.
By 1969, Mini was an international brand, selling over 2 million vehicles worldwide. But in 1968, the brand exited the U.S., ironically due to stringent new emissions regulations, the very reason the brand was born in the first place.
In 1994, BMW bought the brand. The last Classic Mini rolled off the line in 1999, the same year that the new MINI (yes, now in all caps) was unveiled at the Paris Auto Show. In 2002, BMW bought the brand and just a year later, it was named the 2003 North American Car of the Year. Today the brand is known for its sophisticated technology and high-end interiors as well as an expanding lineup that includes a coupe, convertible, two- and four-door models and a compact SUV. Most models are also offered with all-wheel drivetrains as well as John Cooper Works performance editions.
