The MINI Traveler To Be Renamed?

Sections: MF Feature | R55 (Clubman) Apr 25th, 2006 50 Comments

We’ve recently learned that MINI will most likely will not be using the name “Traveler” on their upcoming long wheel base car. This is primarily due to the fact that the ownership of the name is quite complex. It’s simply not as easy as say buying the name from one company in the UK. If they decided to use it they’d have to track down dozens of corporations and individuals who currently have the rights in various countries throughout the world. The same can be said for the “Countryman” and “Clubman” marquees as well.

Based on this, look for MINI to go in other directions for the name of it’s long wheel base car due in 2008. Until we hear more about a proper name, we’ll be referring to the car by it’s internal model designation, the R55.

Written By: Gabe

http://owenkelly.com Owen

Just call it “The MINI Adventure”.
Nathaniel Salzman

It’s really a shame that BMW can’t (or won’t) nab those classic names for the R55. MINI is a brand steeped in history and pedigree, so it’s just too bad. It’ll be interesting to see what the final name ends up being.
goonery

“Touring” perhaps , I think thats a safe bet :-)
http:://www.gulfsouthmotoring.com Matthew

Maybe they can name is the Cooooper. A couple extra O’s for the extra length.
Brian

Cooper T for traveller.
Gregg

I like Brian’s “Cooper T”. But, for historic continuity, dont’t tell anyone what the “T” really stands for.
http://www.blokspeed.net Eelke

The last name that was used for a long wheelbase Mini was Estate. (Namely, the Clubman Estate). I don’t think anyone would be able to claim rights to such a generic name.
Vanwall
If BMW was able to cough up the dough for the Countryman/Traveller (note the two “l”s), it would be in their best interest, I would think. They’ve been using Traveller all over the place for the show cars, and it would save on peripheral costs to sell it under the same moniker in all markets. It’s not like they’re trying to sell a “Bluebird” and a “Fair Lady” to us macho types.;-) Hmmm. “S” Wagen sounds good, tho. ;-)
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             BCNU
           Rob in Dago
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http://www.blokspeed.net Eelke

BTW, contrary to popular believe “Clubman” never designated long wheelbase Mini’s. It was the name for the models with the square front end, for which an Estate version happened to be a poupular incarnation. But there were “regular” saloon Clubmans as well. Later, Rover has used the Clubman name for estate versions of Rover-branded cars, which doesn’t make things less complicated :) So, IMHO, using the name Clubman would be a bad choice (glad to see it’s not an option either, shame that Traveller is out of the picture).
cct1

I think they ought to name it “Suburu Outback.”

Oh wait, that’s already taken…
Chris

I like “Persephone” or perhaps “Canyonero”.
05DSMCS

Cooooper, that’s great.
tony T

Great oppertunity for a world wide name the car competition I rekon…..

Perhaps MF can host it, with a prize from BMW….

they pay companies gazillions to come up with these ideas after all…..
Vanwall
“VistaScenicTouringCruiser” for that longer, lower, wider….name. Or mebbe “SuperDuperWagonCooper”, a nod to Dr Suess, or for bit of Brit: “Ye Olde Council Estate”, ;-) – or howsabout a Royal Navy take, “Unapproachablewagon”, or to really spell out intentions in a Germanic way: “Der Ricenwagenshtomper”.;-)
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          BCNU
       Rob in Dago
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JD

Matthew Apr 25th, 2006 Link Maybe they can name is the Cooooper. A couple extra OÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s for the extra length.

On this rare occasion, I actually LOL’d.
http://www.nemini.org GMINI

cooper venti
skribbl

How about Cooper Boot Plus?

Boot XL?

Booty Call?
Dr Bo

MINI Majora
Chainsaw Flowerchild

Mini ‘Not a Wagon’ Cooper
Yegor H.

How about not building it? :-)
badburro

MINI Cooper S-EX
Cuca

ItÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s really a shame that BMW canÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t (or wonÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t) nab those classic names for the R55. MINI is a brand steeped in history and pedigree, so itÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s just too bad.

Yeah They’ve been using all the names that have already used in past models such as Cooper, Seven, Parklane, and so on, so It’s kinda disapointing to know that now with this model isn’t going to be that way.
Steve OH

Cooper Vista Cruiser
Matt H

Mini Longfellow
Bill Lawrence

Too bad :(

I was hoping my next MINI would be called a Traveller. The marketing folks at MINI will come up with something good. I would not be suprised if some names were leaked, just to get our reaction.
Ivor Biggun

The Mini Biggun :Biggrin: :-D
O(=^=)O Capn

MINI Cooper S-EX

Bad Burro Bad! or actually good, I laughed!

ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œDer RicenwagenshtomperÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â.;-)

I like it!

I’ve got to come up with a name…
Michael

Shaggin’ Wagon

Moose Killer

I.M. Pei.
Nathaniel Salzman

Why couldn’t they just spell it differently? Go the Motorola route (i/e RAZR, SLVR, ROKR) and just call it the “TRAVLER”

It’s got sort of a fun playfulness to it, and if that’s not MINI, I don’t know what is. Perhaps be kinda like the Mini / MINI relationship. “Traveller” for the classic long-wheelbase Mini, and “TRAVLER” for the new incarnation. Not that it needs to be all caps like that, but it’s got a neat visual symmetry to it.
Michael

How about not building it? :-)

ROTFL!
tsukiji

COOPARUREGENCY
LTZMTOR

MINIBAGO ……………. :Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¬()
Brent

Mini Footlong?
John

Using Honda’s designation for trim levels:

MINI One DX (for deluxe) MINI Cooper LX (for luxury) MINI Cooper S EX (for extra large)
John

dang! My bad! Sorry badburro…I guess great minds think alike ;)
O(=^=)O Capn

How about the MINI Motion?

The Getaway? ooh no I can just hear it “Get away from me”! oh well, it just reminded me of the BMW films like “the Follow”… the Breakout? Flight? Vanish? Yeah I don’t know, this is tough.
http://www.atlantaminis.net M. Dillon

…MINI Cooper X= MINI Cooper X-tended;MINI Cooper SX= MINI Cooper Suped-up X-tended;MINI Cooper JCW-X= MINI Cooper,John Cooper Works X-tended;MINI Cooper S JCW-X=MINI Cooper John Cooper Works Suped-up X-tended…
O(=^=)O Capn

Response? Rogue? Hipster? Moxie? Valor? Grit? as much as I don’t like it, Pilgrim?, sounds like classic Mini. Scout? vanguard? No, too much like Van. oooo the Trigger! I Liiike it!Bam! It hits ya, doesn’t it? herald? forge? That’s it, I’m going to bed. MINIUSA, if you like any of these, I would like a brand new 06 MCS JCW fully loaded.(no sun roof)please. You’re welcome.
Laverne

The MINI “Westminster”.

Now I win the first one off the line.
mark pierce

How about MINI Maxi
Mr_Edly

MINI Maxi ?

Sounds like some sort of automotive hygiene:
“Beautiful flowers outside, same protection inside.” “3-inches longer, with wings.”
“Subtle protection, with a no-lag turbo charger.”

My suggestion is a pile of unpronounceable acrostic: NQABSPMM Not Quite As, But Still Pretty Much MINI
Charlie

There was an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal last week about car companies and their issues with limited letters and numbers versus the strong desire to re-inforce the brand name over the model by using letters and numbers…. Apparently F,O,and P are low desired letters… and enough car companies are trying for the same letters that more and more legal letters are flying back and forth as people try and compete in the marketplace.

Don’t remember any examples but Honda/Acura and another company got in trouble with a spat over the closeness of MDX to another three letter car “name”.

It is quite funny to see, Personally I hope MINI sticks with names, and not all the goofy LSI-whatever naming conventions. I vote for Brent’s Mini Footlong!
Vanwall
I would suggest avoiding the “Maxi” tag, as they may want to use that for a larger, more family-oriented model in the future. Seriously. And stay away from “Landcrab”. ;-)

I would like the “Moxie” for a MINI-based sportscar, tho, Capn., but I’ll bet every name we’ve come up with so far has somebody holding the rights to it already.
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               BCNU
             Rob in Dago
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http://www.autospies.com nina simone

I love how my dear [British] Beccy refers to soccer/football cleats,- FOOTY.
http://miniclubofwny.activeboard.com Rocketboy

How about the MINI EXTREME!!!! Because it’s MINI to the EXTREME!!!!

Sorry, couldn’t resist…

Erik…
O(=^=)O Capn

I’d go for a Moxie canyon carver, AWD of course!

how about a Maxa mini to commemorate Ed?
DIOJCW

how about not calling it anything and getting it from a dealer with no badges then buyers can get traveller badges through JCW and other aftermarket places
Merlin 2

They cant call it a Traveller because the back end of the car is not made out of wood. Countryman was the name for the estate with a metal back end but as stated earlier that name is also not on the books.

I just wish they would pull their finger out and recognise the demand for a Pickup version especially if its branded as a sports vehicle. Even better if it was 4 wheel drive as well.

Regards Merlin 2
http://mini2.co.za timmee

MINI TRAVLR (ala Flickr)
Casper

Based on concept car at motor show, the name of new wagon should be “MINI COOPER PICNIC”.

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