Family matters: the 2021 Mini line-up. From left; Electric, Cooper S, 5dr and Convertible
The first glimpse of the “new Mini” came in 1997 at a BMW press conference in a hastily repurposed industrial warehouse on the eve of the Frankfurt motor show. At the end of the presentation, the ACV30 concept burst through a paper-walled crate on to the stage; in fire engine red, with what came to be new Mini styling cues of a white roof, mirrors and wheels, it looked good then and still does today.
Rover Cars had been working on it for three years and to the sheer infuriation of company insiders, BMW (which had taken over in early 1994) gave all the credit to its stylist Frank Stephenson, in spite of the arguably greater contribution of Rover designer Dave Saddington.