MINI Rocketman: It's Gonna Be a Long, Long Time Coming
British mag says automaker has nixed tiny city car
Amid a slew of new products, MINI is canceling plans for its diminutive(er?) Rocketman -- aka the mini MINI, aka the Mini City -- according to Britain's Car magazine.Launched as a design exercise at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show to illustrate how the brand would stay true to its roots in a increasingly crowded 21st-century urban environment, the Rocketman was plagued by problems ranging from crashworthiness (under current European regulations) to stability and handling issues. The would-be smart fortwo competitor -- it measured a mere 11 feet, 3 inches long by 6 feet, 3 inches wide -- was originally slated for a production run around 2016, though BMW officials from the get-go were quick to say that the vehicle faced a number of obstacles.
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