Rover has released the first official picture of the 75 estate which is set to go on sale in time for the new-style number plate in September 2001.

A spokesman said the premium-priced estate would target corporate sales and an expanding retail sector. It will offer a similar specification to the saloon, including four engines (1.8, 2.0 V6, 2.5 V6 and 2.0 CDT), and manual or automatic transmission. The spokesman said Rover was considering a number of product developments, but would not be drawn on recent speculation that an estate version of the 45 was in the pipeline.

BMW says the new Mini, which is to be built at Cowley, will use just 40% of components sourced in the UK. The current model has a local content of 95%. BMW expects to produce 60,000 Minis next year, rising to 100,000 in 2002.