The MINI Wagon is Officially a Go

Sections: Official News | R55 (Clubman) | R56 (Hatch) Jan 9th, 2006 43 Comments

From MINI Press:

“We will be enhancing the MINI family with a further model.” With these words Dr. Michael Ganal, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG and responsible for Sales and Marketing, today confirmed at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit that the family of sporty little cars from England is about to grow yet again.

The new MINI model will offer increased interior space and increased functionality in order to appeal to the distinctively experience-oriented and active MINI customer. The new car will take its inspiration from the MINI Detroit design concept shown at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Although it has yet to be defined which of the unique ideas and design features presented on the concept will be implemented for series production, Dr. Michael Ganal in his speech at the NAIAS stated a time frame of three years for the realization of the new MINI model.

Unique Design, Driving Fun and Individualization.
Like MINIÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s hard-top and convertible models, the new model will display all the essential MINI characteristics – unique design, pure driving fun and Individualization in a premium small car. These core MINI traits will be strengthened with smart solutions for additional utility space and even greater functionality, an idea which will appeal particularly to an active target group. The additional model will expand MINIÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s product offering and promote the continued success of the MINI brand. To date, more than 700,000 units of the current MINI models have been sold, and for the first time within one year, over 200,000 units were produced in 2005.

Inspiration From the 1960 Mini Traveller
The inspiration for the MINI Traveller Concept in Detroit and the upcoming production model extends back to the swinging sixties, when Mini first caused a sensation on the road and the racetrack. With a longer wheelbase, slightly raised roofline, sliding side windows and split doors at the rear these new Mini models went on sale from the autumn of 1960 as the Mini Traveller, the Mini Countryman and later also the Mini Clubman Estate. With the increased utility and room for gear, these models were popular as an agile and stylish companion for extended trips and spontaneous leisure activities.

Motoringfile Analysis: Thus ends one of the worst kept secrets in the auto industry. MINI will indeed be making a long wheel base version of the MINI based off of the next generation platform. Based on what the automotive press has been saying, we should see this new iteration publicly debut in the latter half of 2007 and go on sale later that year as an ’08 model. That means we chould see it on the roads in less than two years. The three years timeframe that Dr. Ganal mentioned may be referencing from the begining of developement to dealer lots. That development can be traced back to as early as 2004 based on spy photos.

Based on what our sources have been telling us we should expect a normal hatch, standard driver and passenger doors, and one or two small additional doors for rear passengers. We should also expect a few styling tweaks to further set it apart from the standard models. But the key selling point of the stretched version will undoubtedly be more rear legroom and a larger boot for those that find the current car a little cramped for their needs. Naturally we’ll have all the latest on the upcoming model in the weeks and months ahead.

Written By: Gabe

MauiMini

GREAT! Now all the soccer moms out there will look a little more COOLER! LOL!
http://doogs.typepad.com Doogs

Three years?

Uh, what? I was under the impression this was supposed to debut alongside or within a few months of the R56?
Frank

Am I reading this correctly? THREE YEARS before we see the Traveller in showrooms???

I am bummed.
AJ Igel

I have no intention of getting rid of my current mini, but its nice to know that if the day comes that I have a family and need something more practical, I can still stay in the same car family.
Ken

“Am I reading this correctly? THREE YEARS before we see the Traveller in showrooms???”

See:

“…in the latter half of 2006 and go on sale later that year as an ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‹Å“07 model….”

It is 2006 already . . . sounds like 8 months, tops, to me.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Uh, what? I was under the impression this was supposed to debut alongside or within a few months of the R56?

Nope. As we’ve been saying for about a year now, the extended wheel base MINI will debut about a year after the first of the next generation MINIs roll off the line.

ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦in the latter half of 2006 and go on sale later that year as an ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‹Å“07 modelÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦.ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â It is 2006 already . . . sounds like 8 months, tops, to me.

Sorry – I wrote the wrong dates down. It will be debut in late 2007 and an ’08 model. That means we should see it on the roads in less than two years. Of course this is based on what I’ve heard from typically reliable sources. It could always change.
Frank

Well….

“Dr. Michael Ganal in his speech at the NAIAS stated a time frame of three years for the realization of the new MINI model”

3 years or 8 months? seems like a big time diffeence to me.

Vanwall

Three years and no barn doors? No go for me.

             BCNU,
          Rob in Dago

DrDiff

I am not necessarily a fan of the new design, However our 2006 MC (MINI In Black) is kinda tight when the whole family goes motoring (2 kids ages 5 and 2). If only Indiana didn’t have the stupid kid seats untill 8 years law! MrsDiff has stated that she wants a more spacious, more Kid Friendly MINI. More like say a “MINI Minivan”!?

Our only other choice would be to go with a Scion XB(Sick), PT Cruzer(old Neon with body kit), Chevy HHR(Cobalt with body kit). That doesn’t leave much room for choice.
Frank

Gabe, I hope so. A late 2007 launch seems good for me but MINI can’t afford to delay it beyond that time frame.
Tim

“Although it has yet to be defined which of the unique ideas and design features presented on the concept will be implemented for series production, Dr. Michael Ganal in his speech at the NAIAS stated a time frame of three years for the realization of the new MINI model.”

I’m confused. According to Ganal’s statement, we might not see the new MINI “wagon” until the 2010 model year, yet Gabe seems to be indicating that we’ll see it with the 2007 models.

Personally, I’d prefer that they use the extra three years to figure out how to cost-effectively implement some of the cool design features of the concept such as the barn doors, the rear sunroof…thing, and the floating seats. Without these innovative features, I don’t think I’d be sold on a MINI wagon with just a bit more space.
Frank

MINI should be aware of the fact that many other competitors will be launching entries in the Traveller’s market segment perhaps sooner than 2007. While I prefer to wait for the first year bugs to be taken care of the first batch of R56′s, I also would like BMW to be a little more proactive in bringing the concept to the showrooms PRONTO
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢m confused. According to GanalÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s statement, we might not see the new MINI ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œwagonÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â until the 2010 model year, yet Gabe seems to be indicating that weÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ll see it with the 2007 models.

I’ve updated that section – if you re-read it you’ll see the reason for the different time frames. And btw I mentioned it would be an ’08 model… to be potentially released in late 2007.
Frank

PT Cruiser = Are you crazy?

HHR = Looks better than the PT Cruiser but it is another bloated small wagon. A lot of show but no go. Chevy? I am not sure I want to go back to a depreciating GM product.

Minivans = No way Jose!

SUVs = We are not to be counted among PT Barnum’s suckers.

Scion xB = Yuck!

So what’s left…. New BMW 3 series wagon… Very nice but much more $$$ and while a terrific vehicle, is not a MINI.

Message to Tom Purves = I am dissapointed with today’s news. Not because the Traveller will see the light of day as a production vehicle, but because MINI will take their sweet time to bring it into showrooms. My checkbook is ready. Where is my Traveller????
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

So whatÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s leftÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦. New BMW 3 series wagonÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦ Very nice but much more $$$ and while a terrific vehicle, is not a MINI.

Frank – you can do what I did. Find a low mileage CPO 3-series wagon with a manual transmission and sport package in the low-20s and have the ultimate compliment to the MINI.
Moe

Our only other choice would be to go with a Scion XB(Sick), PT Cruzer(old Neon with body kit), Chevy HHR(Cobalt with body kit). That doesnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t leave much room for choice.

How about:Audi A3 Sportback, Volvo C30, and a few others…
Frank

Gabe, E46 3 series wagons are very hard to find downhere, new or used. What you see lots of is 325 and 330 sedan lease returns.

I like the new 3 series wagon but we are talking at least $12K over a MINI. If MINI drops the ball with the Traveller, I may look into the 3 series but in all honestly we’ll be much happier with the Traveller instead.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

I like the new 3 series wagon but we are talking at least $12K over a MINI. If MINI drops the ball with the Traveller, I may look into the 3 series but in all honestly weÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ll be much happier with the Traveller instead.

I hear ya man.
Frank

I guess my best consolation at this point is if MINI at least shows an artist’s drawing of the 5 door Traveller.
Frank

The Audi A3 is nice, but I don’t find it exciting. But after all is said and done there are choices out there that’s for sure…
Ian

I haven’t just placed an order for a new ’06 Cooper S (Red), but if I had, I would really be questioning whether I should wait for the new traveller model.
giacomo

I think it will be cool and I’m glad they decided to do it. I’m keep my ’04 MCS for at least 6 years. I’m no longer in need of the family sedan but if I was I’d buy one.

Frank, Frank, Frank…..I’m shocked man, shocked!….putting down US cars…….Shame, shame, shame! 3 series wagons, A3′s What about all that blustering about US cars being so fine now? Ha! Gotcha!
http://www.jamesday.net/mini James

So the Coopers are going to have the exterior design we’ve seen in the spy shots but the traveller with have this design?
GrumpyGills

It gives me Scionish impression, especially from the rear. The rear gate hinge looks fussy, hopefully it won’t make the assembly line iteration. I prefer the exterior hinge on the classic clubman. Overall I’m not keen on this design.

Grumpy.
allen

It seems to give up a lot of the things I love about the Cooper’s design. I think if I were thinking about a wagon like that, I’d be more drawn to the suburu outback. Then again, being a bachelor, it could be I am just out of touch with the urge to have a family car that performs like my cooper s…
Matthew

Those rear doors were one of the selling points in my opinion. Piss on a regular hatch. =(
Alex

Do you know if it’ll be a five seater or four seater (like the concept)?
Timothy

Is Mercedes ever going to bring the A class to North America? Or are they afraid of “contaminating” the Mercedes marque outside Europe?

I ask because the MINI Traveller would compete with the mini-Merc. In other parts of the world that’ll certainly be true. The Audi A2 is another approximate competitor, again a car that hasn’t made it to North America.
http://www.atlantaminis.net M. Dillon

…it seems to me that MINI’s parent company,BMW,is making time for the general public to try out the 1-Series frist;then,the MINI verison of that…the traveler. They(1-Series/Traveler)seem to be about the same size and more than likely…around the same price despite being built on opposite sides of the,”pond”.
Jon

An 08 model is probably going to be a July 2007 production bulid. I wonder if we might see this or other ‘concepts-to-be’ built out of Oxford?
minihaha

Introduction does seem a long ways off but it certainly does look cool. Hopefully it doesn’t sacrifice any of the great MINI handling and continues to be a blast to drive. AWD would be a great option.
Steve

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Make mine a Woody!!!. Would love to see a photoshop concept of a Woody. Anyone out there that would like to offer their concept?
IanF

Perfect timing for me as I probably won’t be looking to buy a new car until 2008 or 9 anyway. And maybe they’ll have a nice turbo diesel engine available for the US market by then.
http://www.blokspeed.net Eelke

So the Coopers are going to have the exterior design weÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ve seen in the spy shots but the traveller with have this design?

I would be very surprised if the Traveler would not have the exact same front end as the “saloon” models (One, Cooper, Cooper S). Al they’re saying is that the production model will be based on the concept, but that doesn’t mean the outside design will be an exact replica.

Is Mercedes ever going to bring the A class to North America? Or are they afraid of ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œcontaminatingÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â the Mercedes marque outside Europe? I ask because the MINI Traveller would compete with the mini-Merc. In other parts of the world thatÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ll certainly be true. The Audi A2 is another approximate competitor, again a car that hasnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t made it to North America.

I think Audi already discontinued the A2 because it was a total flop. Anyway, I don’t for a minute believe these would be very big competitors for a Mini wagon. Maybe in terms of practicality, but certainly not in terms of target audience (different images).
matt

Frank – you can do what I did. Find a low mileage CPO 3-series wagon with a manual transmission and sport package in the low-20s and have the ultimate compliment to the MINI.

you say that like it’s possible… your buying experience was a little ‘unique’ to say the least.
modboi

Yikes! 3 years and since I’ll never buy a first-year-production car again, it’ll be closer to 5 years before I can get my hands on the Traveller. Thank God I kept my E46 sedan, since I could never fit an infant carseat in the rear seat without the front seat being moved all the way forward, nor could I fit a stroller in the boot of my MCS05. Does anyone know if the VW Microbus will ever make it to production?
Matt

funny. my wife and i just had our first and we’re driving an 03 MCS and a 96 Jetta GL. the car seat works, it’s a little tight with the mount, but belted in is much more comfortable. the, Graco, stroller takes up way too much room, so we bought a light-weight Combi that fits under the boot just fine. i’m not saying everything’s perfect, i’m actively looking for something a little more spacious, but the MCS can be done with a family – for now – he’s only 3 weeks old.
mike

Does anyone know if the VW Microbus will ever make it to production?

from what i’ve heard, microbus has been back burnered indefinitely. all marketing money was funnelled to the phaeton (for the US at least).
mike

article from march 05 about the microbus
Bwana Yak

Yikes! 3 years and since IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ll never buy a first-year-production car again, itÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ll be closer to 5 years before I can get my hands on the Traveller.

That’s me, too, except I have an ’06 MCS to live/play with until the Traveller has proved itself on the road for a few years. I think I can handle that.
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Michael Pearce

Gee wow. Looks like another step backwards, just as the 2005 lost features from the 2003 (wipers no longer park on ignition-off, Summer Mode removed although the dealer can re-enable it with a software patch, rear-window washer no longer follows the wiper blade, behind-wheel radio controls gone, and more), now the supercharger goes and who knows what else is degraded.

I don’t want a wagon so much as I want a turbo diesel here in the US. If VW and Mercedes can sell them here, why can’t Mini?
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