Dave Feb 21st, 2006 Link
Finally, some different wheels.
Reply[2:00pm EST: Updated gallery with new photos] The MINI Traveller Concept for Geneva will feature a Monte Carlo Rallye theme when it debuts next month. While it’s basically the same traveller concept we’ve seen in Frankfurt, Tokyo and Detroit, we’re told the car will have more of a motorsports feel to it. You can check out our entire gallery of the first press photos below:
[ MINI Concept Geneva Gallery ] MotoringFile
Gosh I bet those MINI designers are sick of repainting everything. Like those wheels the best of the bunch. Enough lights on it. Still love the bodystyle, it has my vote!
ReplyLook’s nice, sepcifically some of the details… check out below link with some 20+ detailled pictures..
http://www.auto-motor-sport.de/news/auto_und_produkte/mini_traveller_rallye_begleiter.104238.htm
ReplyUnlike how the GP’s appearance is growing on me, this “wagon” design is getting uglier and uglier.
Why would I buy one of these if the cool new features of the concept car don’t make it into production? According to Gabe, the rear barn doors and floating seats probably won’t make it into production because it’d be too costly. Therefore, what advantages are there to the “wagon” over the hatch? A couple of inches of legroom in the back and a Saturn-esque half door? No thanks.
I thought the industry trend these days was to produce concept cars that were similar to those that made it into production. Look at the Chrysler Crossfire, for example. The production car was nearly identical to those we saw at numerous auto shows (aside from that cool…uh…finned windshield). Why is MINI teasing us with these cool features if they’re not going to make it into production?
ReplyI love the rally lights as well. Is that a spare tire on the roof in the back? What, no run flats? LOL ;-)
ReplyLove the styling on this version. Those “daisy” wheels are great. I’d definitely buy those wheels if they make it into production.
Love the rally/driving lights, and am I squinting too hard or did they also incorporate a badge rail as part of the lower group of rally lights? Sweet!
Putting the spare tire on top seems like a more marketable configuration than the “tea table” concept, as charming as the table idea was. With a full spare up there they could offer the car without run-flats, which would be a good decision since you don’t really want the harsher run-flat ride in a “family” car.
I’d buy this one exactly as it is, which has not been true of the other concepts.
ReplyI don’t know, to me this looks like the Ghostbuster ambulance. I’m tired of this same warmed over concept – although this is much more fun than simply showing the same car over and over again at the various shows. Just anxious for more official new models.
ReplyExcellent, 05DSMCS! Who ya gonna call? :-)
What is that in the “utility box”? I can’t decide if it’s a rifle or a torque wrench.
ReplyI’d like to see those wheels and the lights in the grill make it to production. :)
ReplyWhat is that in the “utility box� I can’t decide if it’s a rifle or a torque wrench.
A shovel.
I’d like to see those wheels and the lights in the grill make it to production. :)
I’d like to see those brakes make it into production. :)
ReplyI TOTALLY agree, this looks like the Ghostbuster’s white hearse, (and that is not a good thing…)
Like: the grille-mounted driving lamps
Dislike: exterior-mounted luggage carriers, roof-mounted spare.
ReplyFor additional press images on this cocept… Geneva Monte Carlo Mini Concept
ReplyHere’s what happens when you give designers the key to the executive mini-bar.
ReplyCant stand that tire or the driving lights on the roof. Well actualy I don’t like the rear side windows being converted for storage either.
ReplyEvery time I get squeezed into a parking spot I think how great it would be to have those doors.
ReplyI’m looking forward to the Transylvania Motor Show concept – a MINI Estate Hearse complete with coffin and fold-out flower bouquet holders – for people who would not be seen alive in a Mini.
Replyobviously the work of designers who never spoke to the engineers.
to me attaching weight where it makes the car top heavy and running such heavy low profiles makes a mocery of the mini’s rally heritage
ReplyI think there’s two too many lights on the front. Either have the two driving lights on the roof with 2 more on the grill, or just the 4 on the grill and none on the roof.
I really like the lighted highlights in the doors.
I still can’t decide what I think of the the spare tire.
But as for carcounsel’s complaint about the items on the roof making a mocery of the Mini’s rally heritage… Please… Let’s not forget that there’s a whole lot more to the Mini than just the Monte Carlo. This was a car that was in production with multiple variants for namy years before and AFTER their runs in the Monte… And yes there were Minis produced before and after…. (brace yourself) with ROOF RACKS!
Replyto me attaching weight where it makes the car top heavy and running such heavy low profiles makes a mocery of the mini’s rally heritage
Ok, everyone, repeat after me: “it’s a concept. it’s not meant for production. it’s meant to get people talking.” Gabe, man, you’re way late on repeating this line for the gazillionth time. Slacker. ;-)
ReplyI don’t like the roof mounted spare. But I love the dash/instrument panel. I think the fire extinguisher is kind of funny.
ReplyI would rather have the opportunity to buy the Mini in the background…
As for the wheel on top, I can just see squirrels or birds making nests in there or something.
Did anyone notice the lighting around the shifter? That and the door lighting looks nice. By far the best wheels I have seen so far on this concept. I’ll bet they are heavy.
ReplyLooks like too many ideas threw up on this one….. they need to step back and look again at this….. the idea is great…. the finished product (or these pics) are far from a clean, simple, classic, approachable design that i like from mini…. To me it does not seem to keep and push the brand…. it seems to be a ZIT on the face of the brand….
I really do like the idea…. but NEON BLUE, BLOOD READ, and a ireadsent white, chrome, brushed aluminum, is too much for this color pallet…. and the lines…. GROSS
On the line it kinda looks like a big girl that is wearing pants that are WAY to tight, with some extra hanging on the hips (back panels/tool box/windows) and a FUPA (top mounted spare)
ReplyI don’t have it in me anymore.
Yep.
Okay, Why is there just one spoke that is red? and one mirror? Racing again?
I like that clip board with two stopwatches on it. where can I get one of those?
and yeah, I was going to say shovel but dave beat me to it. Is it going to race the Jacarta(sp) and use it in the sand?? I can’t imagine why else you would have a snow shovel.
ReplyNo matter how many times they restyle this or repaint that on the Traveller concept, the basic design leaves much to be desired. I agree with Tim that the rear pivoting barn doors are the best idea from this concept – the rest needs to be thrown away, especially those incongruent sloped lights on a vertical front. Of course, now we know that the barn doors are not going into production. What a nice complement they would have been to the clamshell bonnet.
This design has the feel of “everything and the kitchen sink” look. Any way we can lure the old Rover team back or Mr. Stephenson away from Fiat?
ReplyI really like the shift to blue lights on the dash, and the lighting on the inside of the doors.
The outside is the same as has been, so there’s not much to say on that.
I just really wish there were a way to get those doors and seats into production (hing/floating).
ReplyI really believe that this concept is just being used as a test bed for elements that they would like to incorporate into the next MINI iteration. Essentially a whole bunch of designers giving there 2 cents into a mish mosh of ideas. I think some these elements are pretty cool, i.e. chronograph speedometer, front grille, rear shape/design etc. All these “good” elements will be put into a more cohesive fluid design. I think all these fine details is what makes a MINI such a beautiful piece of design and function (love that side tollbox btw). peaceout
Replyblalor
of course its a ’show car – a car for show’, i just have never seen the point of concepts that don’t account for the fact that a car is meant to be driven. wheels that are too large/wide to allow turning are a common example (then again if it were up to bangle BMW’s wouldn’t need to turn, ride or handle)
that said, i woke up on the other side of bed this morning… much better. =)
ReplyIf only they would make the headlights more “MINI like” (vertical instead of horizontal) I think I could grow to like these concepts. I realize it is just a concept but it looks like a shark with its nose smashed in.
ReplyDoes anyone else think that the front of this car looks like Eddie Munster???
Don’t believe me??? I couldn’t resist doing a side-by-side comparison.
http://focusoa.bizland.com/TravelerComparison.gif
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