Rumormill: Electric Mini Rocketman coming in 2014?

[Rania Elhoseny]

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show was loaded with concept vehicles, including the Mini Rocketman, a pint-sized two-door that might make its way into dealerships. Autocar claims that Mini intends to launch a production Rocketman based on BMW's front-drive platform and its eco-conscious "i" technologies. We shall see if that pans out to be true.

When If the Rocketman enters the production schedule, it would reportedly slot in below Mini's current three-door Cooper hatchback and add one more vehicle to the automaker's expanding portfolio of plug-ins. According to Auto Express, Mini would equip the Rocketman with a structure similar to that found on the BMW i3. Meaning that the Rocketman would sport a carbon fiber passenger cell, mated to an aluminum chassis. Furthermore, the British magazine claims that the i3's electric powertrain would "slot neatly into the Mini, too, although power would be sent to the front wheels, rather than the rears."

Electric won't be the Rocketman's sole powertrain option, as turbocharged gas and diesel three-cylinder engines are expected to be offered too. If there's any truth to this rumor, we can expect the Mini Rocketman to arrive in 2014.