Mini 4x4 crossover: new spy photos

[Mark]

Source: CAR Magazine

We can finally see the bodystyle of the new Mini crossover 4x4 in CAR’s latest spy photos. Our scoop pictures reveal the lift-up tailgate masquerading behind lookalike Clubman van doors; they are in fact a trompe l’oeil caused by dummy black tape splitting the Mini SUV’s bootlid.

The new four-wheel drive Mini will be launched in 2010 and will draw heavily on the Mini Crossover concept car seen at the 2008 Paris motor show. However, as our spy photos prove, the production version will be much more conventional.

Out go the asymmetric doors in favour of a conventional five-door layout. The vogueish Clubman estate will be pitched as the Mini with interesting doors, but the new unnamed 4x4 will do without its single suicide rear passenger door and van-style split tailgate.

Mini 4x4 crossover: the mechanical story
The Mini SUV will be based on the same architecture – just stretched in wheelbase and track – as the Mini hatchback family. That means the same 1.4 and 1.6 petrol and diesel engines, although the new electric Mini E drivetrain is likely in the longer run.

It will be built by Magna Steyr in Austria, making it the first new Mini not to be built in Oxford, England.

The crossover will, however, be available with the option of four-wheel drive. Although most customers will stick with front-drive, 4wd is expected to be popular in Alpine markets and with customers living in rural locations.

A four-wheel drive Mini SUV?
Yep. And that means Mini is bound to take it rallying! Don’t believe us? We hear plans are afoot to campaign the Mini crossover, so expect plenty of connections to be made with the Brit original’s motorsport heritage…

[Whitney]

I'd love to see this car rallying! Question tho can any of the mini models seat more than 4? :confused:

[John5]

I'd love to see this car rallying! Question tho can any of the mini models seat more than 4? :confused:

That would be interesting but I'd guess 99% of this time this car will be hauling stuff from home depot. I do admit that I love this car and it seems extremly practical with some classic Mini style mixed in. Pretty much a perfect car :) I'm just a little scared as to what the price will be for a car so seemingly perfect :( :(

[southlight]

I'd love to see this car rallying! Question tho can any of the mini models seat more than 4? :confused:

The Clubman can seat 5. Don't think it's that comfy for 3 people in the back though.


Best regards, south

[Sacha]

The Clubman can seat 5

Not here in Canada, the Clubman is a 4 seater only :(

[southlight]

Not here in Canada, the Clubman is a 4 seater only :(
My bad. USA and Canada don't seem to get the "three-person rear seat".


Best regards, south

[Jared]

My bad. USA and Canada don't seem to get the "three-person rear seat".


Best regards, south

We seem to be the smart ones in this case, I woulnt even try to imagine sitting 3 across !!

[Sacha]

We seem to be the smart ones in this case, I woulnt even try to imagine sitting 3 across !!

I have 3 young kids(6-8-10 years old), so it would be awesome for me, i'm pretty sure my '06 VW Golf doesn't have more rear room then a Clubman(talking rear seat across).

That crossover would be a nice replacement for my Golf when my lease is up in 2 years, if it can seat 3 in the rear.

[Jared]

I have 3 young kids(6-8-10 years old), so it would be awesome for me, i'm pretty sure my '06 VW Golf doesn't have more rear room then a Clubman(talking rear seat across).

That crossover would be a nice replacement for my Golf when my lease is up in 2 years, if it can seat 3 in the rear.

You should wait for a crossman then :)

VW Golf/GTI interior dimensions:

headroom: 38.5
shoulderroom: 53.1

Clubman:

headroom: 37.8
shoulderroom:45.9

Those are rear seat dimensions so I think sitting side to side it can get cramped. Crossman will be the perfect compromise IMO

[Sacha]

You should wait for a crossman then :)

VW Golf/GTI interior dimensions:

headroom: 38.5
shoulderroom: 53.1

Clubman:

headroom: 37.8
shoulderroom:45.9

Those are rear seat dimensions so I think sitting side to side it can get cramped. Crossman will be the perfect compromise IMO

Thx for the info!! There is a good shoulder room differences, ugh. I shall wait and see, I do not want a Minivan or a big SUV. The Tiguan is what I will mostly get, but definatly gonna give myself a chance with that crossover when it makes it here :)

[Jared]

Thx for the info!! There is a good shoulder room differences, ugh. I shall wait and see, I do not want a Minivan or a big SUV. The Tiguan is what I will mostly get, but definatly gonna give myself a chance with that crossover when it makes it here :)

I hear ya.. from the Tiguan is still going to be bigger then a GTI. Crossman should be a good amount smaller then the Tiguan. It seems only a little bit bigger then the clubman and its bigger in the right place.

Here is a picture of the two cars next to each other:

[martin_mini]

The same Crossover car that has been presented at the Paris Motorshow is now showcased in Barcelona (http://www.minispace.com/en_us/article/MINI-crossover-concept-car/178/?utm_source=s_nk_26).

[coolguy]

Is it coming in 10 as a 2011 model?

[Sacha]

Is it coming in 10 as a 2011 model?

I would say so.

[Quarantine]

well it does not look as good as the normal cooper, or even the clubman for that matter

[Mii]

Some front end detail from latest spy shots. Overall proportion looked well balanced.
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/7/large/8329857.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/7/large/1617965.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/7/large/2896911.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/7/large/4979891.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/7/large/3485445.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/7/large/3935369.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/7/large/1074359.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/7/large/7125085.jpg

[Mii]

http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/073020091755421515.jpg
http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/073020091756278698.jpg
Source (http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=10&article_id=8248)

[Mii]

It’s been referred to by its internal codename, Colorado, and was called Crossman by various media outlets for almost as long as the project has been in development – and now this Mini is known officially as the Countryman. We’ll see Mini’s Beachcomber concept next month at the Detroit Auto Show – but here’s our newest rendering of what we believe the production Countryman will look like when it reaches dealerships in 2011.

The assembly of the Countryman will become the first time that a Mini is assembled outside the United Kingdom. Austrian manufacturer Magna Steyr will build the car for Mini, as Mini is rapidly running out of space at their current facilities. The Mini Countryman is scheduled for European release in 2010, and will likely arrive in the States during 2011.
The quirky 4-seater will be available in front-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive, and is expected to be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine at introduction, with other powerplant offerings to be available shortly afterward.
Source (http://www.leftlanenews.com/23765.html)

[Mii]

MINI unveiled a new crossover concept at last year’s Paris Motor Show and within just four weeks after its debut the vehicle was given the green light for production. Numerous prototypes have since been spotted testing across Europe, but despite the near-complete look of prototypes, the new crossover won’t reach showrooms until late this year.

The information comes from the boss of MINI brand management Wolfgang Armbrecht. Nicknamed the “Big Mini,” Armbrecht said the vehicle has been designed as a true 4x4 and will be able to seat four-passengers. It will stretch just over 13-feet in length but at the same time it will retain MINI’s "go-kart drive quality”.

Styling of the production model will be very similar to the recently revealed Beachcomber concept, although the rear opening and roof will be simplified extensively. The vehicle will also be instantly recognizable as a MINI and its interior will be packed with innovative storage solutions.

The first versions will be available in front-wheel drive only, with a BMW Xdrive-derived all-wheel drive model set to go on sale soon after the initial launch. Both vehicles will be built by independent vehicle manufacturer Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria.

Pricing for the base Cooper version with front-wheel drive is expected to start at around $29,000, while the range-topping Cooper S with all-wheel drive should be priced somewhere around the $34,000 mark. A high-performance John Cooper Works edition of the MINI crossover has been ruled out for now.

The engine lineup should mirror the powertrain range found in the Cooper and Clubman models, which means a base 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 120-horsepower and 118-pound-feet of torque, a 1.6-liter common-rail diesel with 110-horsepower and 177-pound-feet of torque, and a 1.6-liter turbocharged unit with 175-horsepower and 177-pound-feet of torque. All three engines will be available with a 6-speed manual as standard or an optional 6-speed auto.

As for the name of the crossover, Armbrecht wasn’t willing to reveal any clues. MINI’s marketing chief Ian Robertson has previously revealed that it definitely won’t be called the “Crossman,” which has widely been speculated. Another possibility is that it could be called the “Maxi” or “Colorado,” but without official confirmation it’s still too early to call. The Maxi name, incidentally, comes from a 1960s British Leyland five-door hatch that shared a number of features with a MINI project.
Source: Motorauthority (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1041584_spy-shots-2011-mini-crossover)

Headlight shape revealed without the cladding. Now the front overhang looks much shorter and well proportioned with rest of the car.

http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/2011-mini-crossover-spy-shots_100303953_l.jpg
http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/2011-mini-crossover-spy-shots_100303954_l.jpg
http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/2012-mini-crossover-spy-shots_100303955_l.jpg
http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/2012-mini-crossover-spy-shots_100303956_l.jpg
http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/2012-mini-crossover-spy-shots_100303957_l.jpg
http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/2012-mini-crossover-spy-shots_100303958_l.jpg

[Mii]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA0hptquUWk