Name the New MINI SUV

Sections: R60 (Countryman) Nov 20th, 2007 143 Comments

A year and a half ago we asked you, the MotoringFile reader to name the (then unnamed) MINI Clubman. With almost two hundred comments, to say it was a popular post would be an understatement. Now MINI has a new vehicle to bring to market. The MINI SUV will most likely debut in late 2010 as a 2011 model. Expect the car to be loosely based on the Clubman (as seen in recent spy-photos) and raised with some type of optional AWD system onboard. But one thing it doesn’t have yet (that we know of) is an official name. We know there have been a few bandied about. The prototype has been known as the “Colorado” internally for the past year or so. And some auto publications have taken to calling the new small ‘ute the “Monte Carlo”. However it’s hard to imagine either of those working in the US market due to both being currently used by Chevrolet.

So here’s your chance to give the folks at MINI a few ideas. In the comment section below give us your idea of a perfect name for the new all-wheel drive MINI. Something that will convey a sense of utility and adventure, yet in keeping with the spirit of MINI worldwide.

This post has NO affiliation with MINI. If they should happen to use a name mentioned here I wouldn’t expect to get anything more than self satisfaction and some minor celebrity status in the MINI world.

Written By: Gabe

Jim W.

MINI LUV

or you could go the other way with:

MINI GIT
emergo

gents, this vehicle will not be an oversized brand killer. it’ll essentially be a clubman with AWD. I don’t think we need to be worried that they’ll muck it up. plus, the rally folks will appreciate the extra traction.

Family Truckster! Complete with imitation wood grain decals! Yes!
veggivet

MINI Sclade
Matt

MINI Cooper SXC MINI XR4Ti MINI Reno MINI Urban
Jon

I hear what you and others say emergo, however I can say that I know many other Mini owners like me (Gabe included) that believes this isn’t a direction Mini should go. I don’t this this as an oversized brand killer as much as a stake in the heart of the very inclusive Mini community. I have a feeling for the first time since the re-introduction of the Mini brand the Mini SUV will cause a us/them feeling in the community.

I personally will express my view about this by ending my association with the Mini brand and the BMW brand as well. I will also not fail to express my view to other perspective Mini buyers. Love the Mini brand just consider this a blunder of the first order.
Vanwall

Sad, sad, sad. Get some rest – you’re trying much too hard to create that very us vs them feeling you decry, which is after all an unspoken result of your postings, intentional or not. Hopefully you will remain true to your stated beliefs and leave the brand if you feel this so strongly – I’d hate to see any more hypocrisy so nakedly displayed as it has been already (but perhaps that’s another unspoken result, albeit unintentional…I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt) – so you’ve got only a few more years of posting divisive drivel before the kiss-off.

I’m not fatuous enough to claim to speak for Gabe, who has expressed his reservations himself and will no doubt keep a close eye on the progression of this model, but as I’ve mentioned before, along with plenty of others, I’ve been down this path before with some pretty strange iterations of Mini and MINI, and I still love the marque for its distinctive qualities, which has in no way been compromised by this not-yet-in-the-line-up model. Even if it has some qualities I feel run counter to my MINI interpretations, I simply won’t buy one, but I won’t lamely go and sell my MINI over it – why throw out the baby with the bath water? And I have no intention of shunning anyone who buys one either; some of us are evidently more friendly than others.

Hopefully, “perspective” buyers will be warned by the messianic fervor in your eyes, and consult other, more rational opinions. Feel free to give them my card, and be sure to write when you find work.
J.O’Lantern

Very simply — UGLY UNDAUNTED
GregW

BMW has upsized every model car it has made so far. The 3 got too big so they invented the 1. The old X5 was made into a 7 seater – thats 5 plus two midgets. Now they’re upsizing the 1 series coupe. Park a new MINI alonside a BMW 2002 – notice the difference – yes folks the MINI is bigger! But wait – Porsche left their roots and made the Cayenne SUV. Will some rich billionaire guy like Richard Branson please buy MINI off the Quandt family before it gets too big!
GregW

And by the way – I read an article in CAR magazine about the new Fiat 500 and Frank Stevenson. It says he was turned down for a top BMW design job and left for someone who appreciated his design skills more!
Jon

Vanwall decry my opinion as you will, the base fact is I don’t speak for Gabe or anyone else. I only mentioned that my personal belief has also been a question expressed by a number of people including Gabe. I have a very strong appreciation for what BMW/Mini has done since the re-introduction and now only finding this so difficult because of the derisivenesses of the subject of an Mini SUV. The sad part is instead of building anything even a tad unique they have chosen to build a SUV. This comes from a company that has proudly spent years poking fun at SUVs.

I fully understand that there are a number of new owners out there for a vehicle like this. I just happen to believe that it will be a success but at the same time will cause damage to the brand community, brand image. I would have been much happier if they would have chosen to build this with a BMW badge upon it. A luxury micro SUV is an insult to what the brands heritage is based upon.

Just remember large is now in charge

The anti-SUV revolution has been determined to be wrong.
Jon

Btw how about calling it the Mini faux offroader
Steve

The “Goliath” or

The “Are we there yet?”

“Soccer Bus?”

Vacationer, Weekender?
http://www.pittstopmini.org Mini2Go
1. Hear, Hear Vanwall!
2. I like some of the aforementioned names, specifically: X, XL, and especially Countryman.
3. I also tend to agree with the observation that MINI seems to like “C” names, so how about: *Cavort
Fred

Ruffian and Rover seem like good choices, fitting the supposed uses of such a vehicle, while retaining what seems to me a Brit flavour.
http://www.MarkScheuern.com Mark S

The MINI Aggravater. Because an AWD MINI Clubman, still smaller and lighter than pretty much anything else on the road in the US, makes some people froth at the mouth as they bizarrely equate it to a Hummer H2.

Admittedly it wouldn’t be my first choice for a new MINI I really don’t see it as being the work of Satan.
cze33r

Forget all this SUV nonsense !!!

They should be making the Mini lighter and more fuel efficient, in fact all cars should be heading this way.

Surely BMW can use their relationships with F1 teams to draw on their experience with carbon fibre, composites and aluminium to create something really special. I have no doubt that it will be expensive but the results could be spectacular …. imagine if your Mini weighed 200kgs less, was more fuel efficient and more fun to drive.

As has been stated elsewhere, car manufacturers are obsessed with making everything bigger, it’s time to turn the tide and Mini should be the first to do so. Let’s make the Anti-SUV grille badge mean something.
Zyamfier

Thanks for the Ruffian vote Fred … here are a few more. Hooligan Whippersnapper Roughneck
Vanwall

I like Whippersnapper!
bavarian racing green

…let it go, jon…

…we get it, you don’t like it…

…hooray, you’ve proven you are more idealistic than anyone else…

…go sleep well tonight and in the morning wake up on the right side of the bed…

…and MINI will cry itself to sleep ‘on it’s big pill-ah’…
emergo

Please everyone, be fair to Jon. I understand his position, as I have been a Macintosh user for nearly 20 years. I felt a similar sense of, dare I say betrayal, when Apple switched processors from PowerPC to Intel after years and years of decrying Intel as an inferior processor. Mac folks could view themselves more “special” because they “got it.” Then Apple took that way in some respect. And now if I want a more powerful Mac, I’ll have to buy all new software. At least when the SAV arrives on the market, I’ll still be able to drive my R50 without a similar concern! :)
Zyamfier

Thanks Vanwall…. and a few more Tribesman Countryman Watchman Bushman Sniper
Drill

Judging by these comments I think they should name it the “MINI Flame-War” lol.

Smart-ass comment aside, I like the Countryman idea.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ O(=^=)OCapn

I 3rd Vanwall’s comments. It will be a better community without holier-than-thou Jon.

I also second MaxaMini. It should have a special edition color of RubberDucky Yellow.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ O(=^=)OCapn

How about the Ant.
Jack

I know it’s a bit geeky but how about the MINI C++
Jon

Do have to say that I enjoy being the focus of personal attacks, I am the first to admit I am a Mini fanatic. What you have to understand is that I am asking no one to change their view, rather I just feel that this action by BMW/Mini could do much more harm than good for the brand. This is not because I dislike Mini but rather love the feeling of the Mini community as a whole and do honestly worry about its future.

Flame as needed, I don’t take much personally.
ValparaisoExpress

Jon, Por que no te callas?
Jon

LOL

Good one ValparaisoExpress

Though not likely while this Mini SUV talk is going on. Hope that all views reach the ears at BMW/Mini. Personally believe that debate on the topic actually demonstrates the many views in the Mini community about this product.
TT

the non-MINI the anti-MINI the MINI-killer the embarrassment the ironic
WingNut

Jake, Bruce, or Howard
tsukiji

-=DEFRATU=-
tim

MINI “America”
Jon

Well guys here is a list of the names from this forum so far with the negative names pulled out and comments removed. Still don’t support this move by Mini but lots of interesting names you guys came up with. Sorry if I messed up any of your names

“Chris” – Mini Minor

cct1 – Mini Python

O(=^=)OCapn - The Seven Mini MaxaMini Mini Ant

Mark Smith – Moke, though not related to the original, Maybe something from the Rover line

Scarlett O’MINI – The Major

MARC - Mini UTE Mini MAX Mini Cowley

Jayomatic – The Monte

Andrew – Mini Estate

MQ – MINITRON

VMMVMMM – BMW 116xi

Dan C. – The Short Bus

Dave – Mini Moke Mini Maxi

Modboi -Mini Rover

Victor – Mini XL

Ken B – Mini Moke

YellowMiniNY – MaxaMini

Nervous – Mini Salve

George – Mini Moke

Yucca Patrol – MegaMini

Michael – Mini Almalfi

Crusoe - Clubman Rally Clubman AWD Mini Moke

Coobah – Mini SX4

Minicpt – Mini ClubMax

Col.bobby – Mini Alpine

Brian – Mini Pullman

Mark(Texas) – Countryman

Rhawth99 – MiniMOR Cooper XL Cooper SXL

Queso – Mini Rover

Mini vanilli - Mini X Mini All 4 Mini Scout

GregW - Mini Moke Mini Monaco Mini Metro Mini Maestro Mini Montego

Cze33r – BMW x0.5

M.Dillion – Mini S.U.M. (sport utility Mini)

Vanwall – Mini Weeeee!

Tony – Mini 4R4

Madoc – Mini Pathfinder

Bavarian raving green _ Mini Rover Mini Scout Mini AMC 4×4 Mini Rallye

ST – BMW 116ix

Jas cooper – Mini Traveler

Pirolas – Mini Country

Emergo – MiniSport Mini Sprint Mini Trek

Minime – Mini Yak Mini Xtra Mini Yeti Mini Trax Mini X Series Mini Maxi Mini QuadTrac Mini Cooper X

Bluezeke – Mini THÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ OthaÃ¢â‚¬â„¢Mutha”

Roger – Mini Mite

Bill Lawrence – Mini Midget Hearse

Kevin – Mini Moke Mini Bloke Mini Big Sipper

Kenpotian – Mini Sticky

JohnPC – Mini California Mini Nevada Mini Oregon Mini Minnesota

Jono – Mini Rotundo

David - Mini Forza Mini Trail Mini Canyon Mini Valley Mini Tallyho

Owen – Mini Adventure

Jinskater – Mini 4

Blake – Mini Maximus

Ken – Mini Clubman X

Eelke – Mini Countryman

Robin Casady – Mini SUVanna

Larkin – Mini Gigantor

Lavardera - Mini Estate Wagon Mini Rally Wagon Mini Family Truckster

Bwana Tak - Mini Countryman Mini Croos-Country

GregW – Mini Moke

Aurel – Mini Bint Hauler

Jim W. – Mini LUV Mini GIT

Emergo – Mini Family Truckster

Veggivet – Mini Sclade

Matt – Mini Cooper SXC Mini XR4Ti Mini Reno Mini Urban

J.OÃ¢â‚¬â„¢Lantern – Mini Ugly Undaunted

Steve - Mini Goliath Mini Vacationer Mini Weekender

Mini2Go – Mini Countryman X Mini Countryman XL Mini Cavort

Fred – Mini Ruffian Mini Rover

Zyamfier - Mini Hooligan Mini Whippersnapper Mini Roughneck Mini Tribesman Mini Countryman Mini Watchman Mini Bushman Mini Smiper Mini Ruffian

Drill – Mini Countryman

Jack – Mini C++

Wingnut - Mini Jake Mini Bruce Mini Howard

Tsukiji – Mini Defratu

Tim – Mini America
karlInSanDiego

I’d call it “E” because it’s the beginning of the end.

But seriously, MINI should build a hypercar with 100mpg and a 600cc Turbo diesel. Sort of Smart Roadster meets Opel EcoSpeedster. Or maybe a straight up Electric with small IC for travel range. Other company’s have built that prototype. The hard work was done. If they’ve got the showroom space for a 4×4, they should try to do something revolutionary with it instead of playing Me Too and blurring the lines between BMW and MINI.
Jon

In total agreement Karlin, think developing a micro suv is uncreative and quite polarizing to the Mini community. Rather sad since I have huge respect for the creativity of the Mini brand and their impressive creativity to date.
MrBonex

MINI Muddy
Saxon

how about

MINI Maverick

s would be

MINI MaverickS

iono what to think… if it turns out to be a clubman with awd, i’d be happy. but if they raise it too much and make too many other modifications, the SAV will lose what makes a MINI a MINI
Dave

Col.bobby you took mine: MINI Alpine

Has the outdoor rugged feel plus it’s perfect for those perfect twisty mountain roads.
Jon

Still not seeing a purpose to this. Don’t quite see how plastic pieces trying to make it look rugged help on twisty mountain roads. My Cooper S will always be funner on anything marked twisty.

Think they would have done much better to offer a AWD coupe. Then again guess they aren’t serving the soccer mom crowd yet.
chris

hows about the mini crossman
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Benibiker

Why Mini?
Leo

MINI V ( Sound similar to “MINI ME”). The V represent the V in the word SUV

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