i appreciate that...but its not a rover design, its ford, bmw bought it from ford and adapted it, its just the shell is different thats all...

its a fiesta frame, fiesta suspension....etc....you can stick a badge on it and call it a mini, but it isn't...its a fiesta...

another example of design sharing...

Ford Galaxy
Vauxhall Zafira
Seat Alhambra
Volkswagen Sharan..

they are all the same...except that they may have different engines and badges...but they are all Ford Galaxies..

but i agree with you on one point..

the original cooper is still the best...along with a beetle

cheers

laura