MINI Traveler Caught Hot Weather Testing

Reading above, someone noted that the “sports wagons” are relatively short on utility–if so, why not go for all out performance? Then it’s not doing either function as well as it could be–a compromise. And many of the european “station wagons” are more like large hatchbacks than station wagons IMHO. But I really don’t want to argue this anymore; it’s struck a nerve apparently and that’s not why I go to this board, so fire away, I promise I’m done with it.

Back to the topic: someone mentioned above that the classic mini still looked “different”, and that’s one of my biggest issues with the new Mini wagon–the old Mini wagon was still very small, and didn’t look like anything else on the road. It was more of an extended hatch than an all out station wagon (The classic really doesn’t look like a station wagon–more like a cross between a mini, miniature panel truck, and a station wagon). This thing on the other hand looks closer to a station wagon than a hatch. What gives the Mini it’s uniqueness in the U.S.? It’s the shortest car from nose to tail. It’s not the narrowest though; the Mini’s unique look comes from being short yet relatively wide. The Wagon destroys that; the dimensions now are more like every other small wagon out there, and the Mini doesn’t have that eye catching look. Dissapointing, and I’m hoping they don’t make a bazillion of these–hate to see brand dilution.

If it has the drive-ablitity of the E39 Touring or the new E60 Touring, it will be a much loved adtion to the touring class, unless they are going to consider it on the X3 platform, which I think they will with the traveler. Is the hightride the same? from the pic I would say its up a inch or two. Pics would be better if they were closer up. Heck if I was in Africa, I would have waited for them to get out of the car then jump in it , demand the keys….lol

-alpinamike

OK, I will no longer resist commenting. Since I own BOTH a 67 Austin Cooper S AND a 68 Morris Mini Traveller (woody wagon), I think I can speak to handling differences between them. I autocross them both — both have fairly equivalent suspension and drive trains (since I upgraded the Woody many years ago with a Cooper S engine and brakes). The Woody does just about everything in autocross better than the Cooper S sedan — mind you, they are both tons of fun to compete in. The extended wheelbase of the Woody (a whole 4 inches!) makes the handling (to me)seem much more predictable. I get lots of warning before the wagon will spin. In the sedan, when you get the spin warning, it is usually way too late to catch it — it is going to spin, period — enjoy the ride. The wagon slaloms just as quickly, perhaps quicker. It stops just as well as the sedan, it goes just as quickly. On very slow corners, I can easily get the rear end of the wagon to hang out and get through the corner quicker. If I attempt to hang the rear end of the sedan out, about 50% of the time, I will end up spinning it.

Now we won’t really know how the New MINI wagon’s handling will compare to the sedans until we get our hands on them, so speculation at this point is just that — SPECULATION. However, my best “guess” is that BMW will give us a very fine handling wagon (call it what you want). I look forward to seeing how it does.

I do know that I can transport 4 extra tires and wheels, floor jack, an air tank, tool box, two helmets, a cooler, and two folding chairs in my wagon when I got to autocross — can’t do that with the sedan!

If you want to see a picture of the wagon in three wheel mode at an autocross, go to NAM (same user name as here) and look in my gallery.

Am I going to run down to my MINI dealer and order a wagon? Most likely not. But when I need to replace my 2006 MCS(if I ever do such a thing) , I will most certainly look. And when I need to replace my daily driver vehicle (99 Ford Contour SVT)I will have a MINI wagon on the short list.

Let’s preserve judgement until we have the facts — I know that isn’t as much fun as what is going on here, but the truth is we won’t KNOW until we have our hands on the new wagons.

cheers,

Paul

Are you saying you get better autocross times with the wagon than the base classic mini?

BTW, love the picture, but it highlights my major beef with the new mini. You look at that picture, and it still looks like a mini; the personality is still there. You look at the new mini traveller, and it looks like a half dozen other station wagons on the road.

I agree we don’t know for sure what the end result is going to be, but from the concept vehicles, I think at least from a style standpoint, the idea is fairly clear. And besides, what’s the point of looking at articles such as this then, if we’re not going to speculate?

I also still have my Countryman, and it sure looks like a station wagon, albeit small. It does not look like an extended hatchback, and functioned as a station wagon, not a hatchback. The new Traveller will look like a MINI-wagon, as intended. I’m all for it!

                  BCNU,
                Rob in Dago

argh! if you’re ever asked to participate in a pre-production evaluation for market research purposes, do so at your own peril. i have seen both 2007 models in the flesh, sat in them, played with the doors… i have the answers to all your questions, and i can’t say a thing! gah! i’m ready to burst…

Hey rds, when you say “both” 2007 models in the flesh, does that mean MC and MCS or sedan and Wagon?

It is interesting that you would say something like this on a Traveller thread. and that would mean that a wagon variant would come out in 2007. HMMN,

“Argh! Gah!”

IF so let it be AWD AWD AWD!

One word sums it up for me! HIDEOUS!!! Its not a MINI anymore!! Its a MAXI. Does this behemouth sip not guzzle too?

man that roof looks odd… is that going to be a Traveler only thing? And I still do not like the turn signals in the headlights. Too Mercedes Benz for me. Not to mention the thought process behind putting an indicator light inches away from a broadcast illumination light.

thx stefan :-) great bunch of pics! see you at strahlung pur IV

eS aka n!co