Sections: In the Press | R60 (Crossover) Dec 5th, 2007 16 Comments Making what we reported a few months back official, a BMW representative announced that the MINI SUV will indeed be built by Magna in Austria. Here’s the official word as reported by the Detroit News:
The new model will be built at Magna’s factory in Austria, BMW spokesman Mathias Schmidt said today.
Magna will build about 40,000 of the four-wheel-drive Mini SUVs annually, with sales starting in 2010, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper reported, without saying where it got the information.
[ Report: Magna to build Mini SUV in Austria ] Detroit News
Dimitri Dec 5th, 2007 Link
Let’s see what comes off it.
I hope and in fact I’m sure that it will look better then the prototype that they are testing now. I think it will grab a chunk of SUV market share out there, however it will also byte a chunk off BMW X3 sales.
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Evan Dec 5th, 2007 Link
It seems like it’ll compete more with the X1 in other markets. I haven’t heard whether or not the X1 will be USA bound or not. The next X3 (to be built in SC w/the X5 & X6) will probably be a little bigger and certainly base price in the USA out of MINI SAV territory. The biggest question will be dollar to euro exchange come that model’s debut.
40k units a year for the world is a small number. This should assuage concerns of a MINI SAV diluting the brand. Niche marketing is the big thing right now, BMW is really pushing it and even VW/Audi seem to be following suit. It’s interesting- multiple variants off of similar platforms…been tried before with varied success. BMW seems to do it well though.
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MINIme Dec 5th, 2007 Link
I just hope it is sold in the U.S. 40,000 is a small number. I like the exclusivity factor though. This vehicle, if done right, could be really cool and really collectible. If it has the capability of the Land Rover LR2 with the appeal that only MINI can create, I look for there to be supply and demand issues worldwide.
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Ken Dec 5th, 2007 Link
This works perfectly to keep the Clubman for a couple of years. The replacement will be the all wheel drive thing. What ever they call it.
Reply[...] Source : MotoringFile [...]
Jon Dec 5th, 2007 Link
My feeling this is going to grab a small portion of a crowed Micro SUV market. That the impact on the Mini community will be significant. The real question is how much new business this will bring for Mini. I believe a large portion of the buyers of this would have likely purchased a Clubman or R56 anyways. In effect one of my concerns is that if this draws from the existing Mini ranks heavily its likely to reduce the number of Coupe/Clubman sales. Which in turn will reduce the production volume forcing the cost of producing a lesser volume up. End effect is a even faster reduction in production quality with cheaper components.
A heavier, higher car using the same motor is going to be slower yet.
I certainly hope that I a wrong but I believe strongly what I state.
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dave Dec 5th, 2007 Link
given the characteristics of x3 and x5, this car is not likely to have any credible off-road capability like the lr2 but more like an awd wagon, which is fine. why haven’t they shown any prototypes or concepts of this yet?
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Vanwall Dec 5th, 2007 Link
I’m not a big fan of trying to engineer McPherson struts or similar design technology into any serious off-road situation, but a dirt-road MINI could be a significant effect on the overall ute market, if nothing else providing a smaller alternative, and that’s a good thing in itself. Could make a dent in the alternate-lifestyle-Baru crowd, tho. OPEC sez: $90.00 bucks a barrel sounds good…for them. Better start the Small Revolution in the 4-by pretty soon. If they went for long unequal A-arms and a different chassis, it could be a nifty boulder-crawler, but that’s asking a lot, sadly. Magna has a good track record, so we’ll see.
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MINIme Dec 5th, 2007 Link
We will almost certainly not get an off-road capable SAV/SUV like the LR2. And I don’t think MINI is going the Jeep route. Off-road is not their niche, but AWD in a more aggressive stance presents an opportunity to increase sales and, unlike Jon’s prophecy, I believe build upon the MINI community. Does it dilute the brand? Only to the purists, but the new MINI is a hell of a departure from the original. I love them both.
I would absolutely be stoked to get a real off-road capable mini/micro-SUV (ala Suzuki Samurai) but that won’t happen in this lifetime. I will settle for a beefed-up AWD version of the Clubman with some mini-truck sized tires and seating for five. Perhaps a “woody wagon” style exterior and a standard roof rack and a weather/spill-proof interior.
And, for whomever referred to the MINI’s current power output as inadequate, please note that there are a number of SUVs that have less horsepower than a Cooper S. Torque is the key, and proper gearing.
Bring it on! Austrians have built some really nice 4×4s over the years. Let’s see what they can do with the limitations placed on them by the marketing “experts”.
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GregW Dec 5th, 2007 Link
Confirmed by recent german press release by BMW Group, so its official.
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Jon Dec 5th, 2007 Link
I hear what your saying MINIme, the reason I still feel that this is a threat to the community is the polarization many people (other than myself) have stated. This is likely to lead to the same type of community that BMW has which is a us/them feeling.
The thing that has always made the Mini community stand out is the sense that everybody belongs no matter the color or type of Mini.
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MINIme Dec 5th, 2007 Link
Jon, with all due respect, I just think that you are putting too much energy into this whole community thing and actually sowing the seeds that create an issue. I mean, “Can’t we all just get along?” Example: One of the things that kills me about Americans (I am one by the way) is that certain groups of people continually single themselves out as a “community” while continuing to enjoy the status of calling themselves Americans. By taking this approach, said group alienates itself. After all, my ancestry is Welsh and German but I don’t tell the world that I am part of the German-American Community or the Welsh-American Community. Do those “communities” even exist? Do you follow me? I am an American (for better or worse). As MINI owners, regardless of whether we own an R56, an R53, Clubman, a classic Mini, or heaven forbid an SAV, we are all bonded as “Minions”. I am not attempting to make a political statement or cause a rift, but please give it a rest. And remember, I said it with all due respect.
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Jon Dec 6th, 2007 Link
Minime interesting comment and I do hear what you are saying. Using your view I think I can point out what I am speaking of. We are both Americans, but just like every other collection of people the fact is we are split widely by politics, race, religion, economic standing, along with a myriad of other things that fracture this community.
From my view the SUV is analogous any number of the above examples were the community has faced decisions that has some members of it disagreeing with a choice made within their ranks. If I were a lone voice that has stated that I think this decision was in error I would be happy for the community. Rather though we have seen on Motoringfile that I am not alone in my objection.
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