View source for Supermini


[[File:Ford Fiesta MK VII (seit 2008) front MJ.JPG|thumb|right|A 2008 model [[Ford Fiesta]] (sixth generation)]]
[[File:Opel Corsa D 20090912 front.JPG|thumb|right|Opel Corsa D]]
[[File:VW Polo V front 20100402.jpg|thumb|right|Volkswagen Polo MK5]]
[[Image:Peugeot 207 front 20071212.jpg|thumb|right|Peugeot 207]]

A '''supermini''' is a British term that describes [[automobile]]s larger than a [[city car]] but smaller than a [[small family car]]. This car class is also known as the '''B-segment''' across Europe, and as [[subcompact]] in North America.

In 2008, the best selling cars in the [[Czech Republic]], France, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, [[Slovakia]] and [[Slovenia]] were all superminis.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}} Overall in 2008, of the fifteen best selling types of car in Europe, seven were superminis. Superminis are usually available in [[hatchback]] body styles.

==Origins of the term ''supermini''==
[[Image:1963 MkI Mini.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The original [[Mini]] - A 1963 Austin Super-Deluxe]]
The term '''supermini''' used in relation to automobiles appears in the British magazine ''[[The Economist]]'' in 1978. Describing a proposed new car from [[Lada]] as "a front wheel drive "supermini" the size (and a near copy) of a Ford Fiesta."<ref name="Economist">{{Citation |title=Russian Cars - The Saabovitch? |year=1978 |location=London |volume=269|page=89|oclc = 1081684}}</ref> In October 1985, the influential [[Consumers' Association]] used the term in its annual Car Buying Guide. Because the term was a new one, it gave an explanation at the start of a section entitled ''Small Hatchbacks''. It said small hatchbacks were known popularly as ''superminis'' and while similar to the [[Mini]] they were more spacious inside and more versatile. This definition made clear that a "supermini" was something larger than a Mini yet smaller than a typical car of the time. In its 1985 report, it included such cars as the [[Austin Metro]], [[Volkswagen Polo]] and [[Ford Fiesta]]. Smaller or more basic cars were grouped under a ''Bargain Basement'' heading and included the Mini, [[Citroën 2CV]], [[Fiat 126]] and [[Volkswagen Beetle]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}

The 1986 Car Buying Guide, published in June of that year, was more confident of the term and this time headed the section ''Small hatchbacks or 'superminis'''. The Mini and 2CV were still relegated to the cheaper category of ''[[Bargain basement|Bargain Basement]]''.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}} By the time of the 1989 Car Buying Guide, there was no longer any need to explain what ''supermini'' meant and the title appeared without comment. In its introduction, the Guide said superminis were available as three-door and five-door hatchbacks, and sometimes as saloons with a boot. The Mini and Volkswagen Beetle were still grouped separately, this year under the heading ''Cheapies''.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}

By 1990 the demand for the cheapest cars, a number of them from low-cost economies in eastern Europe, was fading. For the first time the two or three remaining examples in the new car market, including the original Mini, were grouped under the heading ''superminis'' along with the couple of dozen true superminis that now dominated the cheaper end of the market.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}} However, in its separate guide to car reliability in June 1990, the magazine grouped the smallest cars under the heading "Minis and Superminis", indicating that the smallest cars were still perceived as being distinct from the larger and better equipped "Superminis". These smaller cars are now called [[city car]]s.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}

==Examples of superminis sold in Europe==
*[[Alfa Romeo MiTo]]
*[[Audi A1]]
*[[Austin Metro]]
*[[BMW MINI]]
*[[Citroën C3]]
*[[Citroën DS3]]
*[[Daihatsu Boon|Daihatsu Sirion]]
*[[Fiat 500 (2007)|Fiat 500]]
*[[Fiat Punto]]
*[[Ford Fiesta]]
*[[Hyundai i20]]
*[[Kia Rio]]
*[[Mazda2]]
*[[Mercedes-Benz A-Class]]
*[[Mini Cooper]]
*[[Nissan Micra]]
*[[Opel Corsa]]
*[[Peugeot 106]] GTI
*[[Peugeot 207]]
*[[Proton Savvy]]
*[[Renault Clio]]
*[[Rover 100]]
*[[SEAT Ibiza]]
*[[Suzuki Swift]]
*[[Toyota Vitz|Toyota Yaris]]
*[[Volkswagen Polo]]
*[[Škoda Fabia]]

==See also==
* [[Car classification]]
* [[Cyclecar]]
* [[Micro car]] - [[Bubble car]]
* [[City car]]
* [[Kei car]]
* [[Mini MPV]]
* [[Mini SUV]]
* [[MIT Car]]
* [[Economy car]]
* [[Small family car]]
* [[Subcompact car]]
* [[Vehicle size class]]
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==References==
{{Refimprove|date=November 2007}}
{{Reflist}}

{{CarConfig nav}}
{{Wikipedia}}
[[Category:Car classifications]]
[[Category:Supermini class car]]