Have you ever seen a Mini 9X prototype? 🚗 Launched in 1959, the Mini was revolutionary – so why did it take 41 years to replace it? In 1967, Alec Issigonis designed the radical 9X – smaller, lighter, with fewer parts yet offering more space inside its hatchback body. More attempts followed. Our car is one of three test mules from 1978 built to trial a new 970cc engine and suspension. It looks like a standard Mini – except under the bonnet 🔧 British Leyland rejected the 9X as too costly, and wi