Pendahuluan Mini adalah ikon mobil kecil pada tahun 1960-an. Mobil ini mulai diproduksi oleh BMC (British Motor Corporation) pada tahun 1959 dan merupakan mobil pertama yang memiliki front-wheel-drive. Solusi penghematan ruang ini mempengaruhi semua produsen karena pada saat ini FWD menjadi layout drive-train paling populer. New MINI diluncurkan pada tahun 2001 dengan sistim terbarunya dan mengganti sang legenda untuk kebutuhan Abad 21. Desain revolusioner Mini diciptakan oleh Sir Alec Issigonis (1906-1988), seorang yang dianggap sebagai visioner dalam bidang industri transportasi. Mini ditujukan sebagai kendaraan yang terjangkau guna menanggapi krisis minyak ketika itu. Seiring dengan masa produksinya, mobil ini dibuat di pabrik Cowley di Inggris dan setelah itu di Australia, Belgia, Chili, Italia, Portugal, Afrika Selatan, Spanyol, Uruguay dan Venezuela. Mini pertama, yang disebut Mk I, memiliki tiga versi utama yaitu Mk II, Clubman dan Mk III. Sedangkan untuk versi sporty, tersedia Mini Cooper dan Cooper S yang dianggap sukses sebagai mobil reli. Bahkan keduanya dapat memenangkan Rally Monte Carlo sebanyak tiga kali. Desain dan Perkembangannya Pada awalnya Mini dirancang sebagai akibat dari Krisis Suez di tahun 1956 yang mengurangi pasokan minyak dan memaksa pemerintah Inggris untuk melakukan penjatahan bensin. Jelas penjualan mobil-mobil besar dengan konsumsi bahan bakar yang tinggi semakin menurun dan digantikan oleh pasar "bubble cars". BMC menyadari bahwa mereka harus segera memproduksi kendaraan kecil. Issigonis, yang terkenal sangat terampil dalam merancang kendaraan kecil ditugaskan untuk mendesain mobil Mini. Bersama dengan tim kecil yang terdiri dari beberapa desainer, Issigonis harus menghasilkan prototipe asli pada bulan Oktober 1957. Kendaraan baru ini awalnya menggunakan mesin konvensional BMC berupa empat silinder air-cooled, tetapi ia berinovasi dengan memasang mesin yang dilumasi oli dengan posisi melintang, empat
transmisi kecepatan yang ditempatkan dalam sump dan dengan FWD.
Sketsa awal Mini Pencipta Mini, Sir Alec Issigonis, adalah seorang yang jenius. Mini adalah sepenuhnya karyanya, bukan karya seluruh tim seperti kebanyakan mobil yang dibuat saat ini. Ia merancang Mini dengan bentuk yang kecil, harga yang murah, sangat ekonomis dan perawatannya yang mudah tanpa sadar jika ciptaannya akan bertahan hingga 40 tahun lamanya. Ia memiliki kemampuan luar biasa untuk memvisualisasikan bentuk akhir dari sebuah mobil ketika masih dalam tahap desain. Contohnya saja ketika salah satu insiyurnya bertanya akan seberapa besar ukuran ban mobil Mini, ia kemudian merentangkan kedua tangannya seraya berkata, “Sebesar ini…”. Insinyurnya lalu mengukur jarak antara kedua tangannya yang adalah 10 inchi. Akhirnya, terciptalah ban mobil mini berukuran 10 inchi tersebut.
Sketsa sederhana buatan Issigonis hampir dapat digunakan sebagai blue print oleh para insinyur pada perakitan prototipe yang pertama. Ia menyebut dirinya "The Ironmonger" karena ia lebih suka untuk menjadi tangan-on daripada bekerja berdasarkan kertas. "Riset pasar hanyalah omong kosong. Masyarakat tidak tahu apa yang mereka inginkan, dan adalah tugas saya untuk memberitahu mereka", katanya. Dengan adanya lebih dari 5,25 juta Mini yang diproduksi, tentu tidak ada yang akan membantahnya. Sir Alec merancang banyak mobil sukses lainnya termasuk Morris Mini yang legendaris dan Austin 1100/1300 range. A familiar dilemma The year was 1957 and in post-world war 2 england the suez canal crisis had sent fuel prices soaring, leading many to start wondering if the large, gas-guzzling vehicles of the day made much sense. A car for everyone So sir leonard lord of the morris company issued his top engineer, alec issigonis, a challenge: design and build a small, fuel-efficient car capable of carrying four adults, within economic reach of just about anyone. As fate would have it, the challenge of fitting so much function into a small package inspired a couple of historic innovation Revolutionary ideas The two most important innovations issigonis came up with were to create more room in the cockpit: pushing the wheels all the way out to the corner and turning the engine sideways. The world had never seen a car quite like it. And when the mini first launched in 1959, the public was a bit baffled. The spirit of the streets Soon enough, people began to recognize that the mini was not merely a car. The unique combination of style at a low-cost, small size and nimble handling, came to symbolize independence and spontaneity. The very essence of the yputhful 1960’s. it was a whole way of life. A cultural phenomenom One of the most remarkable elements of the Mini’s popularity was how its infectious spirit transcended
traditional class barriers. From hipster and mods to milkmen, rock stars and royalty to rally racers. Everyone could have fun and feel free motoring in a Mini. A joy ride It also become apparent that Issiogonis’s numerous layout innovations, intended to create more passenger room, also happened to help make the Mini incredibly fun to drive. Wheels at the corner meant a wide, go-kart stance and nimble handling. And the transverse engine kept weight over the front tires, helping provide great balance and grip. Birth of a racer It was 1961 when the humble little people-mover fell into the hands of british racing legend john cooper. A more powerful engine, bigger brakes and a few tuning tweaks later, the Mini Cooper 997 was introduced. And a rally demon was born. A giant killer Before long, the nimble little Mini was outracing and outlasting the larger, more powerful, but clumsier sedans of the day. Visits to the winner’s circle became a regular event as Mini chalked up numerous international race wins including 3 at the prestigious monte carlo rally from 1964 to 1967 You-nique In addition to being exhilarating to drive, owners loved how easily their Mini would become an extension of themselves. A statement of their unique individuality. A personal-packed sidekick that always up for a bit of fun. A workhorse By 1969, over 2 million Mini’s had been sold around the world. Pickups and station wagons versions were introduced and all were incredibly durable – whether rallying or doing the daily errands. Every owner knew they could depend on their Mini to get the job done. And smile the entire time. Everywhere but america By 1977, Mini’s popularity had truly taken off around the world with over 4 million cars sold in each corner of the globe. Sadly, americans never quite got the chance to catch the fever since new emmisions regulations in the late 1960’s forced Mini to give up its US green card.
European car of the century Fast forward to 1999. Over 5 million classic Minis had found happy homes around the world leading a panel of 130 international automotive journalist to vote Mini “european car of the century”. In fact, only Ford’s Model t received more votes for the globe title. 1959: the classic mini launches official launch of the classic mini. The public isn’t sure what to think since they’ve never seen anything quite like it. The press is baffled. 1960: dawn of the minivan BMC introduces the minivan; a more spartan classic mini with the same transverse engine but slightly longer utilitarian body. Designed to roll up its sleeves and get to work, the front passenger seat was optional and there were no seats available for the windowless rear cargo area. It soon becomes a favorite of the british postal servie. Police and military, not to mention enthusiastic tradesman and recreational motorer across britain – leading BMC to launch more plush “estate” versions;the traveller and Countryman, complete with rear setting, carpeting, wood trim and windows all around 1961: john cooper recognizes a racing demon john cooper recognizes that features of the classic Mini designed to make more room in the passanger compartment, like its wheels-at-the-corners stance and transverse engine, also help give the car fantastic handling. So he starts tinkering and comes up with a racing demon: the mini cooper 997 is introduced. 1963: raising the roof nimbly making its way through the italian and french alps, a classic Mini wins the vaunted alpine rally. The new cooper s model ushers Mini into the performance car niche. Meanwhile, the first Mini convertible is produced by crayford engineering in westerham, england. 1964: Mini takes monte carlo against all expectations, a classic mini wins its first monte carlo rally. Beating bigger, higher-powered, but clumsy sedans will be something Minis get quite good at over the next 40 years. 1965: mini takes monte carlo and the pan-am enduro
america prepares for the Mini clubman. Sporting characteristic Mini style and performance and a little extra boot to scoot, the cooper and cooper s clubman are set to attack american roads alongside their eccentric family members in february 2008. With their side club door, rear barn doors and quirky double-take-worthiness, the destinctive clubman models leave many curious. Some downright confused. 1965: minimalism takes off a mere six years after its launch, alec issigonis drives the one millionth Mini off the production line. Meanwhile, inspired by what she sees on the streets, a london designer grabs her shears and does her bit for the sidewalks as the mini-skirt takes the planet by storm. The parallels between Mini and the mini-skirts were uncanny. Both had simple but ingenious design. Both were no bigger than they needed to be. Both allowed their occupants to move freely and stylishly. And both exuded an independent and youthful exuberance that had never been seen before 1966: french revenge at the monte carlo a mini wins the monte carlo again – as well as getting nd 2 and 3rd place – only to be disqualified on a technicality for headlamp irregularities. The objectiveness of the french officials is questioned. Mini moke (jeep style) is signed on as a series regular in cult classic TV series the prisoner 1967: 3rd win at monte is official a mini wins the monte carlo rally for the 3 rd time. This go-round the official can find no excuse for disqualifying the mini teams. 1968: wave goodbye with the introduction of new emissions regulations in the US, the Mini loses its green card. Unfortunately, it’ll be a few decades before the Mini makes its return to the states. 1969: at the movies and the 2.000.000 mark a team of red, white and blue Minis steal a fortune in gold bullion and the spotlight, in the movie “the italian job”. Riding a tide of youthfulness spreading the globe, the Mini worldwide population reaches 2 million produced.
