In the late 1990s, design bods at BMW and Rover were locked in a battle. Bavaria’s most famous non-alcoholic export had acquired the ailing British rival (of sorts) Rover, and set about reinventing the most iconic jewel in its crown – the Mini.

Rover wanted to create another space-efficient, shrink-wrapped city car in the spirit of the Alec Issigonis original. BMW meanwhile wanted a bigger, plusher, retro take which could kickstart a trend for premium small cars.