 1996 Volkswagen Polo, a popular modern European supermini A supermini is a European hatchback car category. In the United States these are more often known as subcompacts. To be a supermini, the length of the car should be around 3.90 metres (12.8 ft) and have seating for four adults and a child. The first superminis were the 1957 Fiat 500 and the 1959 Austin Mini. In 2004, the best selling cars in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal were all superminis. Overall in 2005, of the fifteen best selling types of car in Europe, six were superminis. Download high resolution version (1500x1121, 406 KB) 1996 VW Polo at Bristol Car Show, The Downs, Bristol, England. ...
Download high resolution version (1500x1121, 406 KB) 1996 VW Polo at Bristol Car Show, The Downs, Bristol, England. ...
World map showing Europe Europe is conventionally considered one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiogeographic one. ...
Peugeot 306 Hatchback, with the hatch lifted and the parcel shelf visible A hatchback is an automobile design, consisting of a passenger cabin which includes an integrated cargo space, accessed from behind by a hatch or flip-up window. ...
An automobile is a wheeled vehicle that carries its own motor. ...
The Nash Metropolitan of the 1950s was an early subcompact car. ...
metre or meter, see meter (disambiguation) The metre is the basic unit of length in the International System of Units. ...
A foot (plural: feet) is a non-SI unit of distance or length, measuring around a third of a meter. ...
1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
A white Fiat 500 in Pisa, Italy. ...
1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
The Mini is the name of a rather petite car produced from 1959 to 2000, and the name of a newer one known as New MINI launched in 2001. ...
It has been designated the: International Year of Rice (by the United Nations) International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition (by UNESCO) 2004 World Health Day topic was Road Safety (by World Health Organization) Year of the Monkey (by the Chinese calendar) See the world in...
2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
History
50s and 60s In Europe, the first supermini is considered to be the Italian Fiat 500 of 1957. The design was further popularized by the British Austin Mini two years later (from which the class takes its name). A white Fiat 500 in Pisa, Italy. ...
1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
The Austin Motor Company was British manufacturer of automobiles that rose to be a major motorcar brand, the dominant partner after merger with Morris in the 50s but declining after absorption into British Leyland. ...
For the new MINI, see MINI (BMW). ...
The Mini was the first successful mass production mini-car in Europe, going on sale in 1959 as the Austin Seven or Morris Mini Minor. It was the only major choice in the mini-car sector until the Rootes Group launched its rear-engined Hillman Imp four years later. Around the same time, an Italian rival - the Fiat 500 - was also launched. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Mini was a huge successful for the BMC and later BL combines which produced it. The Fiat 500 remained hugely popular in Italy and most other European countries until production finally halted in 1974. Mini sales began to fall after 1980 following the launch of the Austin Metro, a larger and more modern alternative to the Mini, but it actually outlived its 'replacement' and remained on sale until it was finally replaced by the totally redesigned BMW MINI in 2001. During that time the Mini took its place as one of the most iconic cars of all time. For the new MINI, see MINI (BMW). ...
The Rootes Group is a now-defunct British automobile manufacturer. ...
The Hillman Imp was a compact, rear-engined saloon (US: sedan) automobile manufactured by the Rootes Group (later Chrysler Europe) from 1963 to 1976. ...
A white Fiat 500 in Pisa, Italy. ...
The British Motor Corporation (BMC) was a car company, formed by the merger of the Austin and Morris companies in 1952. ...
The British Leyland Motor Corporation (often abbreviated to simply BL), was a Britain in 1968. ...
1989 MG Metro Turbo The Rover Metro was a hatchback automobile of supermini size, originally launched in 1980 as the Austin Mini Metro (miniMETRO to give the official badging), intended to replace the Mini. ...
The BMW or New MINI is a car produced by BMW since 2001. ...
2001: A Space Odyssey. ...
70s - oil crisis By the 1970s, small cars were getting bigger and hatchback bodystyles were favoured over the traditional saloon. The 1973 oil crisis forced buyers to choose more economical, less powerful, lighter cars, The first successful compact hatchback in Europe was the 1971 Fiat 127, which was a strong seller in Italy but struggled to find homes elsewhere because it had such a notorious reputation for being rust-prone. Other successful superminis from the 1970s included the Volkswagen Polo, Ford Fiesta, Opel Kadett City (Vauxhall Chevette in the UK) and Peugeot 104. An Energy Crisis is any great shortfall (or price rise) in the supply of energy to an economy. ...
The Volkswagen Polo is a compact car manufactured by Volkswagen, sold mainly in Europe, but available in a slightly more economic version in most export markets. ...
The Ford Fiesta is a mid-class supermini car designed by the Ford Motor Company in Europe, and also manufactured in Brazil, Mexico, China, India and South Africa. ...
The Peugeot 104 was a supermini automobile produced by the French manufacturer Peugeot between 1972 and 1988. ...
The Autobianchi A112 was an Italian automobile. ...
The Austin Motor Company was British manufacturer of automobiles that rose to be a major motorcar brand, the dominant partner after merger with Morris in the 50s but declining after absorption into British Leyland. ...
Morris is the name of some places in the United States of America: Morris, Alabama. ...
For the new MINI, see MINI (BMW). ...
Nissan Motor Co. ...
Fiat 600 D The Fiat 600 (or Seicento) was a small (3,22 m) automobile available in hatchback with a good ventilation and defrosting system. ...
The Fiat 127 was a supermini automobile produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat between 1971 and 1987. ...
The Hillman Imp was a compact, rear-engined saloon (US: sedan) automobile manufactured by the Rootes Group (later Chrysler Europe) from 1963 to 1976. ...
The Renault 5 was a supermini produced by the French manufacturer Renault in two generations between 1972 and 1996. ...
The Chevette is a model of car manufactured by Vauxhall in the UK from 1975 to 1983. ...
80s The 1980s saw the compact hatchback market reach its peak. British Leyland began the decade by introducing the revolutionary Austin Metro, which was sold as a more practical alternative to the ageing Mini. 1983 saw two major mini-car launches on the continent: the stylish Pininfarina-penned Peugeot 205 and the Giugiaro-styled, spacious Fiat Uno. Both cars lasted well into the 1990s and were hugely popular all over Europe. Vauxhall/Opel replaced the Chevette/Kadett City with the all-new Corsa. 1989 MG Metro Turbo The Rover Metro was a hatchback automobile of supermini size, originally launched in 1980 as the Austin Mini Metro (miniMETRO to give the official badging), intended to replace the Mini. ...
The Peugeot 205 was a supermini automobile produced by the French manufacturer Peugeot between 1983 and 1998. ...
Fiat Uno rally car The Fiat Uno is a supermini car introduced in 1983 by Fiat and still sold in underdeveloped countries. ...
2003 Vauxhall Corsa The Corsa is a small car or subcompact produced by General Motors in Europe. ...
The Citroën Visa was a supermini automobile produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1978 to 1988. ...
The Citroën AX was a supermini automobile built by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1986 to 1998. ...
Fiat Uno rally car The Fiat Uno is a supermini car introduced in 1983 by Fiat and still sold in underdeveloped countries. ...
The Ford Fiesta is a mid-class supermini car designed by the Ford Motor Company in Europe, and also manufactured in Brazil, Mexico, China, India and South Africa. ...
The Lancia Y10 was a model of Italian automobile manufacturer Lancia from 1985. ...
1989 MG Metro Turbo The Rover Metro was a hatchback automobile of supermini size, originally launched in 1980 as the Austin Mini Metro (miniMETRO to give the official badging), intended to replace the Mini. ...
1971 Mitsubishi Colt Galant GTO 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Colt was a name used as an export marque by the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation of Japan. ...
2003 Vauxhall Corsa 2004 Opel Corsa The Corsa is a small car or supermini produced by General Motors in Europe. ...
2003 Vauxhall Corsa 2004 Opel Corsa The Corsa is a small car or supermini produced by General Motors in Europe. ...
The Peugeot 205 was a supermini automobile produced by the French manufacturer Peugeot between 1983 and 1998. ...
The Renault 5 was a supermini produced by the French manufacturer Renault in two generations between 1972 and 1996. ...
Volkswagen, pronounced folksvagen meaning: peoples car (also known as VW) is an automobile manufacturer based in Wolfsburg, Germany in the State of Lower Saxony. ...
2005 Volkswagen Gol. ...
The Volkswagen Fox is a supermini car produced by Volkswagen in Brazil and exported to South America, Mexico (called Lupo) and Europe. ...
1994 VW Polo MK IIF. 1996 VW Polo. ...
90s The first major compact hatchback launch of the 1990s was the Renault Clio, which arrived in 1990 as successor to the long-running R5. The R5 continued until 1995 but its sales slumped after the launch of the Clio, which shot straight to the top of the supermini class and set the benchmark for style, build quality, comfort and driver appeal. Peugeot launched two major mini-cars during the 1990s: the compact 106 in 1991 and the larger 206 in 1998. The 106 was Peugeot's first step in phasing out the hugely popular 205 range, which was finally superceded seven years later when the larger 206 went on sale. Nissan launched a curvy all-new Micra in 1992 and the new car, built at its Sunderland plant, was the first Japanese car to be voted European Car of the Year. The Fiat Punto replaced in 1994 the long-running Uno, and the new car set class-leading standards of style and economy. At the same time, the third generation Volkswagen Polo was launched. The Renault Clio is a supermini automobile produced by the French manufacturer Renault. ...
European Car of the Year award The jury for 2005 consisted of 58 motoring countries. ...
The Fiat Punto is a supermini automobile produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat since 1994. ...
The Volkswagen Polo is a compact car manufactured by Volkswagen, sold mainly in Europe, but available in a slightly more economic version in most export markets. ...
The Citroën AX was a supermini automobile built by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1986 to 1998. ...
The Citroën Saxo was a supermini automobile produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1996 to 2003. ...
The Daihatsu Charade was a subcompact car sold from 1977 to 2000. ...
The Fiat Punto is a supermini automobile produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat since 1994. ...
1971 Mitsubishi Colt Galant GTO 1999 Mitsubishi Colt Colt was a name used as an export marque by the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation of Japan. ...
Opel, originally and more correctly known as Adam Opel AG is an automobile maker in Germany. ...
Vauxhall is an inner city area of south London in the London Borough of Lambeth. ...
2003 Vauxhall Corsa 2004 Opel Corsa The Corsa is a small car or supermini produced by General Motors in Europe. ...
The Peugeot 106 was a subcompact automobile produced by the French manufacturer Peugeot from 1991 to 2003. ...
The Renault Clio is a supermini automobile produced by the French manufacturer Renault. ...
The Rover Metro was a supermini car, originally launched in 1980 as the Austin Mini Metro (or miniMETRO as the cars badge itself read). ...
The SEAT Ibiza is a small hatchback car manufactured by the VAG and sold under the SEAT brand. ...
Suzuki Swift is a subcompact automobile from the Suzuki Motor Corporation. ...
1998 Toyota Starlet hatchback (five-door) 1994 Starlet EP82 1988 Starlet EP71 KP60 Starlet Rally Car The Toyota Starlet is a small automobile manufactured by Toyota since 1973, replacing the Toyota Publica (and retaining the Publicas P code and generation numbering). ...
2005 Volkswagen Gol. ...
The Volkswagen Polo is a compact car manufactured by Volkswagen, sold mainly in Europe, but available in a slightly more economic version in most export markets. ...
2000s The 21st century has seen several major supermini launches. In the year 2000, Volkswagen completed the transformation of the once-maligned Skoda company by launching the well-built, comfortable and economical Škoda Fabia. Within two years, the Fabia's chassis had spawned all-new versions of the Volkswagen Polo and Seat Ibiza. 2000 also saw Vauxhall/Opel launch the completely new Corsa which became hugely popular largely thanks to its spacious and comfortable interior which gave it a big-car feel. In 2001 BMW released the new MINI "retro" version of the classic Mini. Citroën replaced the Peugeot 106-derived Saxo with the five-door C3 in 2002 and the three-door C2 in 2003. Both cars were strong sellers thanks to their competitive asking price, low running costs, distinctive styling and spacious interiors. Renault launched its third-generation Clio in 2005, and 2006 will see new versions of the Vauxhall/Opel Corsa and Fiat Punto. This article is about the year 2000. ...
Volkswagen, pronounced folksvagen meaning: peoples car (also known as VW) is an automobile manufacturer based in Wolfsburg, Germany in the State of Lower Saxony. ...
The title given to this article is incorrect due to technical limitations. ...
Škoda Fabia. ...
The Volkswagen Polo is a compact car manufactured by Volkswagen, sold mainly in Europe, but available in a slightly more economic version in most export markets. ...
The SEAT Ibiza is a small hatchback car manufactured by the VAG and sold under the SEAT brand. ...
This article is about the year 2000. ...
Vauxhall is an inner city area of south London in the London Borough of Lambeth. ...
Opel, originally and more correctly known as Adam Opel AG is an automobile maker in Germany. ...
2003 Vauxhall Corsa 2004 Opel Corsa The Corsa is a small car or supermini produced by General Motors in Europe. ...
2001: A Space Odyssey. ...
BMW AG (an abbreviation of Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, or in English, Bavarian Motor Works), is a German company and manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles. ...
The BMW or New MINI is a car produced by BMW since 2001. ...
Retro, short for retrospective, is a modern term used to describe things from a bygone era. ...
For the new MINI, see MINI (BMW). ...
Citroën is a French automobile manufacturer, started in 1919 by André Citroën, today part of PSA Peugeot Citroën. ...
The Peugeot 106 was a subcompact automobile produced by the French manufacturer Peugeot from 1991 to 2003. ...
The Citroën Saxo is a car built by Citroën from 1996 to 2003. ...
The Citroën C3 is a supermini automobile produced by the French manufacturer Citroën since 2003. ...
For the Cusco album, see 2002 (album). ...
The Citroën C2 is a supermini automobile produced by the French manufacturer Citroën since 2004. ...
2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Renault S.A. is a French vehicle manufacturer producing small to upper-midsize cars, vans, buses and trucks. ...
The Renault Clio is a supermini automobile produced by the French manufacturer Renault. ...
2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Vauxhall is an inner city area of south London in the London Borough of Lambeth. ...
Opel, originally and more correctly known as Adam Opel AG is an automobile maker in Germany. ...
2003 Vauxhall Corsa 2004 Opel Corsa The Corsa is a small car or supermini produced by General Motors in Europe. ...
The Fiat Punto is a supermini automobile produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat since 1994. ...
See also List of recent superminis This is a list of recent automobile models by type. ...
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