Supermini

Supermini (also called B-segment across Europe) is a class of automobile larger than a city car but smaller than a small family car.

Superminis are usually available in hatchback body styles. The term subcompact car is used for similar cars in North America.

The term supermini developed in the U.K. in the 1970s as car manufacturers sought a new design to surpass the influential Mini, launched in 1959, and journalists attempted to describe such a vehicle.

While manufacturers produced new designs, the term was adopted as an informal categorisation. By 1977, the term supermini was used regularly by the British newspaper The Times. That year, two modern superminis - the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Chevette - featured among Britain's 10 best selling cars. A new British car launch that year was the Chrysler Sunbeam supermini. Also selling well were the Fiat 127, Renault 5 and Volkswagen Polo, as well as the Japanese built Datsun Cherry and the Peugeot 206.

In October 1984, the Consumers' Association used the term in its annual Car Buying Guide. 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 1984 report, it included such cars as the Austin Metro, Vauxhall Nova (Later replaced by the Vauxhall Corsa) and Ford Fiesta. This report was also published soon after the launch of a host of other foreign-made superminis which were selling well in Britain - these included the Fiat Uno, Nissan Micra, Peugeot 205, Renault 5 and Volkswagen Polo. The Fiat Uno, launched during the first half of 1983, was widely praised for its high roof which set new standards for interior space and practicality in this size of car. The Peugeot 205, also launched in 1983, won plaudits for its sharp styling and excellent ride and handling.

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