The all-new MINI is scheduled to be revealed to the world on 18th November 2013 - 107 years to the day since the birth of the creator of the original 1959 model, Sir Alec Issigonis.
The unveiling is to take place, rather fittingly, at the MINI factory in Oxford, England where MINIs have been produced for over a century. An after-party is to continue in London. In the same week, the new MINI will also appear at the Tokyo Motor Show and the Los Angeles Auto Show, making this unveiling a truly worldwide event.
Issigonis unknowingly created a shockwave in the motoring industry when the original MINI was revealed back in 1959. It came with a number of firsts in order to create a larger cabin with the smallest possible external footprint. Some of these features included a transversely mounted engine, front-wheel drive and very small overhangs at the front and back. Mounting the wheels at the corners also helped give the MINI its legendary handling.
Organisers of the latest MINI's unveiling say that the event will pay homage to the original and will coincide with the MINI plant's jubilee year.
Anything else?
While the new model is unlikely to start the same revolution as the original, MINI is still striving to be the best in its class with all-new engines, completely revised chassis technology and infotainment options such as MINI Connected.
Following the event in November, the latest MINI is set to go on sale in the first quarter of 2014.