it will be built by magna steyr. it certainly looks like a clubman, but on a slightly raised-up suspension. as far as i know, the engine will still be the PSA-designed 1.6 liter engine, but with all wheel drive instead of front wheel drive.

X1 = 170 inches long Clubman based MINI SUV = 156 inches long X1 = 3400 lb Clubman based MINI SUV = 3000 lb

MINI SUV = a smaller, cuter, funner, happenener car.

I also don’t see why a performance variant of the MINI suv couldn’t be a serious rallye contender. With the proper suspension set-up, engine and AWD drive-train, a high performance version of this new MINI could compete on the dirt and gravel. hp/lb could be on par with heavier AWD variants out there.

All the negativism is sorely misplaced, and reeks of resistance to change. Mini better do something to keep growing, or it will die, and we’ll all be left with nothing to buy but the new FIAT 500 or the Ford Ka! While many may say, why not just keep things the way they are, the sad truth is the opportunity cost of the $ spent will make the dollars go elsewhere. Only small production boutique cars can afford to stay in business making X cars per year, with no change.

For those that want more Mini models, instead of complaining about dilution of the brand, you should be rooting for unparralleled success, because that will generate the $ that would make a smaller production two seater, for example, a real posibility.

Matt

One last thought – the Moke WAS outrageous, but I kinda don’t think the MINI folks will be looking to IT for inspiration, do you really? I mean, DANG, just think of the lawsuits when little Jimmy takes a header out of one of those “doors”. (My favorite image of the Moke was from R&T, I think — fella picking up the back end and walking it over an 8″ fallen tree in the road)

Great conversation, but after reading this whole thing and it being way to late to give my thougts about what you all have said, I will just comment on the article.

Since I have been a proponent of an AWD MINI from the beginning. All I Have to say is HURRAH!!!!!! I will echo what I have said previously in that I hope that it will be long enough to enter into rallye racing and enough pep to turn those HP sucking AWD running gear and fast enough to compete!!! I want a subie killer!!! If it can’t do that, it will be sad, and maybe even a little pointless, but not enough to keep me from getting one. I am very excited about this development.

My only question is if they are going to build this for the US market, why not build it in the US so as currency exchange won’t be an issue?

Rob, you made some funny comments but I am tired. Night. thx

This is coming from someone that naturally despises SUVs and anything truckish in both, form and function.

I, for one, believe that MINI is right on the money with this one. BMW is not exactly known for bad business decisions (Well, the 1970′s 320 and the 2002 BMW 7 series are exceptions to that golden rule)so I think the SAV will further unleash all possibilities that MINI has to offers as a brand and a total concept.

A MINI Blimp? Where do I sign up?

It seems to me that they are targeting Subaru’s audience. Small AWD wagons.

BMW bought this brand how long ago? Almost a decade? They are trying to branch out into areas that Mini never really did. Again, seems like a good goal. Not every product has to have a strong lineage back to the original Morris Minor. Maybe it’s time for MINI to make it’s own mark in the world.

I have no interest in this vehicle personally, but if they can take a “lean & green” appraoach to this – and they can get some Americans to give up on the Hummers and Escalades and Excursions – then more power to ‘em…

There are currently a large number of MINI owners who do not “fit” within the community. It isn’t as if every MINI owner is part of this tight knit family and now with an SAV we’re going to be invaded by a class of people who don’t belong. It’s just a ridiculous notion. Will there be SAV owners who seem out of place with the “typical” MINI owner? Yes! But there are people like that now with Coopers.

MINI is a brand, not a word. This brand does not live and die by specific measurements of how big a car should be. Size really shouldn’t have anything to do with it despite the name MINI. If they put out a high quality top notch car why does it matter what size it is?

I’m all for keeping MINI, well, mini.