Mini’s lineup is more expansive than you might think. The basic Cooper three-door hatch currently shares showroom space with the four-place convertible, the extended-length Clubman, the high-riding Countryman, and the two-seater Roadster and Coupe. Mini will debut yet another (potential) derivative next month at the Geneva auto show, the Clubman-based Clubvan commercial van concept. (The Paceman, a three-door Countryman, is on the way, too.)

The Clubvan’s transformation to micro cargo hauler is pretty simple, as it’s essentially a Clubman with no rear seats. It uses the same body as the Clubman—which is a longer-wheelbase Mini Cooper with split rear barn doors and a third door on the passenger’s side—and gets opaque rear side window coverings and heavily tinted rear-door glass.

Mini didn’t just rip the back seats out, tint the windows, and call it a day, though. The aft space is made more cargo-friendly through a completely flat and cloth-upholstered load floor, six tie-down hooks, and a fixed partition between the front seats and the rear stowage area. The partition is a particularly trick-looking piece; the top features stainless-steel grating, while the bottom is finished in solid aluminum. Our only gripe, we suppose, is that the partition appears to intrude into the opening created by the third side door, limiting its usefulness.

As for its intended market, Mini seems content leaving truly dirty commercial work to lowlier, more plebeian rides. The Clubvan is aimed at more hoity-toity businesses, such as fashion designers, art galleries, photography studios, and catering companies. That last one has us scratching our heads a bit; while the Clubman upon which this thing is based is one of the better-riding Minis, it’s by no means soft. Unless the Clubvan concept’s suspension uses memory-foam bushings and marshmallow springs, it might only be suitable for catering businesses that specialize in casseroles—and could you imagine one of these delivering cakes? It’s not all bad: We think the Clubvan could be the perfect martini-delivery vehicle for James Bond.

The Clubvan certainly would be easy to produce, and with fuel prices threatening to rise again soon, smaller commercial vehicles are sure to gain even more appeal. The segment is heating up in the U.S.—relatively—with Nissan recently pitching the NV200 into battle with Ford’s Transit Connect, although we’re not sure how a “premium” contender such as this Mini would fly outside of its European home market. Here’s an idea: It won’t be as perfectly finished, but let’s get Mini to offer the partition and body-color decals for the rear side windows as accessories and let Clubman owners remove the rear seats themselves. That would, after all, allow for the creation of a John Cooper Works Clubvan—and all the “expedited delivery” jokes you can stand.

Earlier today, BMW announced the arrival of BMW M Performance Parts, a new line of powertrain, suspension, aerodynamic, and cockpit components that will trade under the iconic “M” badging. The idea behind using M is to further reinforce the sub-brand’s appeal to performance enthusiasts, says BMW, although some will surely see this extension as a dilution of the iconic M name. Intended to enhance engine power, reduce weight and optimize aerodynamics for tangible increases in driving dynamics and performance, the first products are designed specifically for the 3- and 5-series sedans (and the five-door 1-series in Europe). Bits will include black kidney grills, M Performance exhaust systems, carbon-fiber front splitters, and an M Performance steering wheel.

Interesting news to be sure, but other than the addition of the letter M, what differentiates this new line from the current entity known simply as BMW Performance Parts? You know, the aftermarket division that’s happily been peddling components to BMW-wielding speed freaks for years?

We reached out to BMW for some answers; the company’s responses are below:

Is this change one being made in name only from BMW Performance Parts?
“No. BMW Performance Parts were designed without input from BMW M. These parts are still available for X5, X6, 135i, and the E9X 3-series. All future performance parts will be BMW M Performance Parts (with development input from BMW M).”

Why are parts currently available for just two models (the 3- and 5-series sedans in the U.S.) when the previous performance parts catalog is still on offer?
“The 3- and 5-series are the first vehicles to benefit from performance parts developed with the input of BMW M. The previous parts are still available.”

Will an owner now be able to upgrade their vehicle to M levels of performance and styling in a piecemeal fashion by selecting parts from the new BMW M Performance Parts catalog?
“No, these parts are not simply M3 parts being installed on a 3-series. They are parts that enhance . . . the BMW 3-series. For example, more than 80 percent of the parts in an M3 are unique to that car (and not shared with the regular production 3-series).”

So there you have it.

High-content small cars are all the rage in the world’s mega-cities. BMW’s Mini, the Audi A1, and the Citroën DS3 are leading the charge, but you also can order, say, a very nicely equipped VW Polo in the Old World. Now Peugeot is joining the fun with two concepts based on its B-segment 208; both will be unveiled at the Geneva auto show.

To us, the 208 GTi concept is the more interesting of the two show cars. Powered by a turbocharged, 1.6-liter version of the BMW-PSA “Prince” engine, it boasts 200 hp and targets the quickest offerings in its class. The interior gets unique stitching on the Alcantara-covered dash; the seat upholstery pairs leather and checkered fabric. The gauges are brushed aluminum, and there is a smaller-diameter steering wheel.

Exterior addenda include a checkered-mesh grille, 18-inch wheels, and chromed double exhaust tailpipe. Fatter tires widen the track, and, while the Geneva concept proudly wears the French flag on the lower lip of its grille, you can also order a British Union Jack (among others) if you’re into multicultural marriages.

For less-enthusiastic drivers, Peugeot also will show the 208 XY concept. This one’s powered by a super-efficient 1.6-liter diesel producing 113 hp. Painted in 16 layers of purple paint, the XY is equipped with a large panoramic roof and is fitted with interior trimmings dedicated to decadence. Leather trims the headliner around the panoramic panel, seats, and dash, as well as on the dashboard. There is cow hide outside, too: The grille is accentuated with “metalized leather.”

Even with their add-ons, the two models do not deviate far from more-common 208 models, and so building them would be easy. While series production of the 208 GTi seems to be a done deal, no decision appears to have been made yet on the XY. Both models would have precursors: The 208 GTi recalls the unforgettable 205 GTi, an icon of the 1980s; the XV recalls the Roland Garros and the Griffe versions of the same 205. And here’s more good news: Both concept cars are fitted with a six-speed manual. That bodes well for potential street versions, and makes them great alternatives to those customers that shun the VW Polo GTI and the 185-hp Audi A1 because of their standard dual-clutch automatics.

In the sea of economy cars, the 2012 Subaru Impreza swims among some fairly appetizing competition. The new Impreza’s styling alone helps it better stand out among big fish—such as the Ford Focus, the Volkswagen Golf, and the Honda Civic—than did its predecessor. But the previous car’s biggest handicap against its competition wasn’t its looks, but fuel economy; to that end, Subie has swapped the old four-speed automatic transmission for a more-efficient continuously variable gearbox.

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