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This page is about the British car term for small cars. For the Brazilian car produced between 1992 and 1994, see Gurgel Supermini. For similar terms, see Supermini (disambiguation).
File:Gfrhyrjyjet.jpg
2020-present Toyota Yaris
2019-present Audi A1

Supermini is a British term for a small segment of hatchbacks, or rarely short-sized sedans. Supermini hatchbacks are the second smallest segment of hatchbacks, and is equivalent to the European B-segment and American subcompact hatchback term.[1][2] Superminis sit in between the smaller city cars (A-segment) and larger small family cars/compact cars (C-segment).

In the United Kingdom the supermini class is the best-selling vehicle size.[3] For years, the now-discontinued Ford Fiesta has been the leader of the class, and often most-sold car in the UK overall, competing against the Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Polo,[4] Renault Clio, Peugeot 208,[5] and many others.

Supermini cars generally have length of 3.7–4.15 m (146–163 in), and generally change depending on the generations, or source.[6][7][8]

Markets by country edit

Germany edit

 
2011-2018 Audi A1
 
2017-present Volkswagen Polo

Ford Europe has made the Fiesta, one of the best selling superminis. Now discontinued, it will be getting replaced with the larger Puma crossover, because of Ford's decision to move towards SUVs and electrification.[9]

Volkswagen has produced several generations of the Polo supermini, starting off with the Volkswagen Polo Mk1 in 1975. Since then, it is currently in its seventh generation, and it has become one of the best selling superminis all around Europe.[10]

Audi has been producing superminis, longer than Volkswagen, with the Audi 50 coming less than a year before the Polo. Historically, Audi had produced the A2, a supermini known for its poor styling. The A2 had a 6-year run, before its discontinuation. The A2 was indirectly replaced with an insignificantly larger hatchback, the A1. The A1 has had better sales than the A2 since the start of its production.

An unpopular defunct German automobile company, called NSU Motorenwerke, had made 2 supermini saloons, one by the name of 'NSU Prinz', arguably the first supermini ever produced, the other by the name of 'NSU Typ 110/1200, a larger saloon starting production shortly after the 'Prinz' had ended. NSU was shortly after replaced by Audi in 1977, where the Audi 50 supermini had taken the place as Audi's first supermini.

The Opel Corsa A, essentially a rebadged Vauxhall Corsa, was Opel's first B-segment car.

Smart's first and only supermini was the Smart Forfour. It was originally a supermini before going approximately 300 mm shorter and becoming a city car in 2014.

Japan edit

 
2019-present Mazda2
 
2017-present Suzuki Swift

Suzuki, a Japanese brand known for their small cars, has produced a number of supermini car, with their most popular being the Swift. The Swift is one of the best-selling superminis in Europe. The Suzuki Baleno is a supermini/subcompact hatchback, now discontinued worldwide.[11] The Suzuki Cultus preceded the Swift, and was arguably Suzuki's first supermini. The FH Suzuki Ignis was a taller supermini/subcompact hatchback, before transitioning to an A-segment crossover in 2016.

The Toyota Publica is considered a supermini in Europe, and Toyota's first B-segment car. Replaced by the Toyota Starlet, a supermini hatchback that ran from 1973 to 1999. Then, in January 1999, getting replaced by the popular Toyota Yaris/Vitz/Echo. The Yaris is one of the best selling cars, reaching 10 million units faster than the Fiesta.[12][13]

Nissan's first supermini car was the Nissan Cherry, or 'Datsun Cherry', a front-wheel-drive saloon, panel van/wagon, or coupe, that ran from 1970 to 1986, before getting replaced with the small Nissan Pulsar, that was originally a supermini, then going to a small family car in 2013. In 1982, Nissan introduced the Micra, a hatchback that in its third generation, had similar styling to the Volkswagen Beetle.

Mazda's first supermini was the Mazda 121. Mazda's current supermini is the Mazda2.

France edit

 
2019-present Peugeot e-208
 
2016-present Citroën C3

French supermini are the best-selling in their segment, with the Renault Clio being top-selling.[14]

Citroën, like Suzuki, is known for their smaller-sized cars. Their first supermini was the 2CV, and two latest are the Citroën C2 and popular C3.

Renault has produced the Clio, and it was the best selling supermini in 2020, according to CarSalesBase. The French brand has produced multiple other superminis, such as the Renault 5, Renault 5 EV, a supermini inspired off of the original 5, and the Renault Zoe, a supermini criticised on its styling that ran for 11 years before being discontinued in 2023.

DS Automobiles, a luxury division of Citroën produced the DS 3. From 2009 to 2016, it would be called 'Citroën DS 3', but in 2016, DS became a standalone brand, now simply being called 'DS 3'. The DS 3 is no longer a hatchback, but a B-segment luxury crossover SUV.

United Kingdom edit

 
2014-present Mini Hatch
 
2018-present MG3

The Mini Hatch is an example of an retro-styled supermini. From 2006 to 2014, the Mini Hatch had maintained the previous generations design slightly, making it an example of a retro-styled supermini. Even today, the Mini Hatch has kept its retro-styled design.[15] The R55 Clubman is considered a supermini, however its successor was a larger subcompact executive car.

MG Motor's first supermini was the MG Metro. MG's current supermini is the MG3, and their previous supermini was the MG ZR.

References edit

  1. ↑ Motor Industry Facts 2013 28. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (2013). Retrieved on 17 August 2013.
  2. ↑ (October 1984). "Which? Car Supplement". Which?: 5. Consumers' Association. "Popularly known as superminis, these cars are a size larger than the original BMC Mini and are typified by the Austin Metro."
  3. ↑ These are the top 10 best-selling cars in the UK in 2023. Top Gear.
  4. ↑ Best superminis 2019. Auto Express. Retrieved on 7 February 2019.
  5. ↑ What is a supermini?. Parkers. Retrieved on 7 February 2019.
  6. ↑ Jacobs, Andrew James (2016) The new domestic automakers in the United States and Canada: history, impacts, and prospects, Lexington Books, p. 33 ISBN: 978-0-7391-8826-2.
  7. ↑ Felipe, Munoz (2012-05-15). Learning about cars: the 'B' segment. Fiat Group World. Retrieved on 29 January 2022.
  8. ↑ Meadows, Jordan (2017) Vehicle Design: aesthetic principles in transportation design, Routledge, pp. 39–40 ISBN: 978-1-138-68560-4.
  9. ↑ Panait, Mircea (26 October 2022). Ford Fiesta Production Ending in 2023, S-Max and Galaxy Will Also Be Discontinued.
  10. ↑ Most popular superminis. Motors.co.uk.
  11. ↑ {{cite webSuzuki Baleno & Celerio Discontinued In The UK.
  12. ↑ Little Genius with Big Impact – Toyota Yaris Reaches 10 Million Global Sales Milestone.
  13. ↑ Toyota Just Built The 10 Millionth Yaris After 25 Years Of Production.
  14. ↑ European sales 2020 Subcompact cars. carsalesbase.com (February 2021). Retrieved on 1 April 2021.
  15. ↑ MINI’S NEW COOPER EV KEEPS THE DREAM OF A BUTTON-FILLED DASHBOARD ALIVE.

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