Well technically thats only because of the parent company though. Kinda like saying a Jaguar is a Ford.
I’d say it’s more like Toyota to Scion.
They are the original manufacturer of the Vehicle, just didn’t want to put it under the same label since the vehicle is so much different from the original intent of the brand but the market is there to capture. So instead of diluting the RWD/AWD “ultimate driving machine” brand with an FWD platform they started the “new” Mini brand.
The BMW brand has never had an FWD car and has said multiple times in the past that they never will.
That’s why I’m surprised to see the thread and the rumors.
It goes against everything they believe as a company and Jeremy Clarkson will tear them a new one if they do come out with one, then again, Porsche used to be pure performance too and now they sell cars for Long Island teens to park in front of clubs and Wallstreet bankers to justify a purchase of a Porsche by having one that you can put a baby seat into.
That thing is gayer than AIDS.