Mini 'Maxi' by name?

BMW’s global sales and marketing chief Ian Robertson revealed to GoAuto at the Paris motor show last week that the Mini Crossman will have a different badge when it makes production inside the next two years.

“I can assure you it won’t be known by that name,” Mr Robertson said.

However, he refused to confirm (or deny) that the ‘Maxi’ name – used by British Leyland for an Alec Issigonis-devised Austin five-door hatch of 1969 that shared many features with the original ADO15 Mini project – might be a contender.

GoAuto has also learned that a front-wheel drive ‘Estate’ version of the production car will follow the 4x4 version sometime in 2011.