Report: Toyota in Talks With BMW to Use New MINI Coupe Platform for Future Sports Car
Deal would see Toyota give BMW iQ platform for future mini-car models
Last week we reported on a story that BMW was in talks with Toyota to use its iQ city car platform as the basis of a future mini-MINI. Now it appears that deal may be two-sized as AutoCar is reporting that in exchange Toyota may get use of the MINI Coupe and Roadster platform to use as the basis of a new sporty vehicle.
Neither automaker has made any official comments on the exchange and while unlikely, both companies would benefit in certain ways. Currently BMW is in need of a mini-car platform to underpin a new line of cars including a small electric city car and a possible replacement for the Isetta. There have already been numerous rumors that BMW was working with Fiat to develop such a platform although Toyota’s reputation for quality is certainly more in line with BMW’s way of doing business.
At the same time, Toyota is desperate for a small sporty car that can capture the attention of younger buyers and enthusiasts.
Toyota is already in talks with Aston Martin, which wants to use the iQ base for its Cygnet city car.
[Source: AutoCar]
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