Mini ACV30: forgotten concept (1997)
Posted on 23-05-2015 at 12:03 by Dizono – 14 Comments”
In 1994, BMW acquired a majority stake in Rover Group, where Mini at that time. On Rover is BMW tired quickly, but with Mini they know or council. These ACV30 in 1997 was the first hint of BMW’s plans with the British supermini.
It was BMW all clear in 1994: the original Mini will not long endure in the new millennium. Although the likeable British stadsrakkertje to a revival was in progress, prevented regulation in the field of environment and security that the Mini is to all eternity could not be built. So the search was for a solution for the brand, that never had another car built than the Mini, except for some of the derivatives.
Mini Spiritual Concepts
In 1997 we got some conceptcars presented, a hint the gifts to the possible way that Mini (from the first new MINI with capital letters) would take. Or actually two roads, because the Mini Spiritual Concepts and the ACV30 differed considerably from each other. The Spiritual Concepts were three – and five-door cars, especially in the spirit of the original Mini were designed, hence the name. It was a small city car, designed to give as much space as possible in a small car package. Under the hood is a 660 cc three-cylinder, nice and compact, to as much as possible, interieurruimte.
Van Hooydonk’s take on the future
The Anniversary Concept Vehicle 30, or in short, ACV30, fourth to thirty years before the original Mini Cooper for the first time the Monte Carlo Rally and managed to win. Under the skin was this concept of a MG TF with a 1.8-litre mid-engine, that had about 145 hp. At a weight of 1100 pounds is still good for 0-100 km/h in seven count.
Although the car is technically far removed from the first new MINI, this is the ACV30 which is the biggest hint has been given to the future of the brand under the wings of BMW. By Adrian van Hooydonk and Frank Stephenson designed ACV30 is unmistakably family of the first new MINI in 2001 is presented. According to the leading MoMa in New York, even such a good design, that they make the concept car a while to exhibit. Unfortunally for fans of smart, small cars, BMW chose -not without success – to MINI more a fashion label than a manufacturer of smart city car’. Fortunately, Alec Issigonis won’t have to experience that. Perhaps will there ever be a real Mini…
Gallery: MINI ACV30 Concept
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