Currently reading: Autocar confidential: BMW won't go smaller, Toyota's EV flexibility and more
Our reporters empty their notebooks to round up a week in gossip from across the automotive industry

In this week's round-up of automotive gossip, hear why BMW won't follow Audi's Audi A1 with a Mini-sized 1 Series, we chat crossovers and Leons with Seat and more.

Toyota's EV openness

Toyota is open to both dedicated electric cars and pure-electric versions of existing models, depending on the business case for both scenarios. It has introduced hybrid power on a stand-alone model in the Toyota Prius, and the same for hydrogen power with the Toyota Mirai, so it has form in launching new models for new technology. Toyota has a new electric architecture called eTNGA that it co-developed with compatriot firms Subaru, Daihatsu and Suzuki.

3 Toyota mirai 2016 hero side

BMW won't pursue A1 rival 

Although Audi has just launched a second-generation A1, there are no plans for BMW to follow suit with a model smaller than the 1 Series, an area it feels it has comfortably covered with its Mini brand. “Mini is fantastic and we need to see that the brands don’t overlap,” said BMW product boss Peter Henrich.

No X-Perience variant for Leon Estate

Despite the strong appeal of crossovers, Seat exterior design boss Joaquín García says the firm has no plans to revive the X-Perience branding for a jacked-up variant of the new Leon Estate. Ending production in 2018 after four years on sale, the previous X-Perience was a notably slower seller than its VW Golf Alltrack sibling.

1 Seat leon x perience 2018 hero side

READ MORE

BMW continues to defend new styling direction 

BMW to cease production of i8 sports car in April 

BMW introduces new mild hybrids in line-up reshuffle

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Car review

Mercedes’ first proper electric car hits a competitive mark dynamically and might exceed rivals for comfort and refinement. Big appeal for the eco-conscious and tech-savvy; maybe a touch less for the interested driver

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WallMeerkat 4 February 2020

BMW don't need a Mini

BMW don't need a Mini competitor as they own Mini....

Besides, A1 drivers don't exactly cause me to aspire to the brand, I've encountered awful driving from these drivers.

Toyota producing single models for a technology reminds me of the old days where a car would be badged by its single engine eg. 1100. These days platforms are flexible to accomodate different engines and drivetrains, even their Prius competitor Ioniq is available in Hybrid, PHEV and EV drivetrains.