Car Magazine Reports on the MINI SAV

Sections: In the Press | R60 (Countryman) Dec 11th, 2007 45 Comments

While there’s little new to see (and really only one new photo) Car does give us their take on the upcoming model:

Although it will be aimed at the fashionista rather than farmers, Mini’s fourth model gets a newly developed all-wheel-drive system. While the front-end architecture remains much the same as the current hatch, the rear has been developed from scratch to house the requisite differentials, drive shafts and reworked jacked-up suspension set-up. But it’s all relative Ã¢â‚¬â€œ the Mini will be fine for tackling the odd snowy path en route to your luxury ski lodge in KitzbÃƒÂ¼hel, but not much good for reaching base camp at the foot of K2.

We’ll have a bit more on the new R60 in the coming days. In the meantime, you can check out the full article from Car below:

[ Mini's SAV scooped ] Car Magazine

Written By: MF Staff

Vanwall

OMG! It’ll need it’s own zipcode! Its shadow will darken greater Los Angeles! It’ll seat hundreds! And get 5 gallons to the mile! Did I mention the sky is falling? And the commies are gonna lock us all in a closet and suck the air out thru straws? But all this will happen only in months with a ‘K’ in ‘em. Reality is, it ain’t gonna be much larger than a Clubman, flat-earthers.
ValparaisoExpress

The only way I could possibly become interested in the R60 is if it offers full 4 doors instead of the current club door arrangement in the R55.

Where I live, I have no need/use for AWD. Another downside of AWD is increased fuel consumption and more weight.

Nevertheless this is an interesting offering.
Craig

The only way I could possibly become interested in the R60 is if it offers full 4 doors instead of the current club door arrangement in the R55.

So you’re saying that you want it to be BIGGER? Oh my GOD NO! The horror! It already eclipses the sun and the trees wilt in its presence!
timc

How can you call this a MINI?
AN

Because it’s still a tiny car in the overall scheme of things. If a Moke and a Traveller and a Countryman were MINIs, why CANT you call this a MINI?
timc

The clue is in the name M-I-N-I.
MeanMrMstrd

So 9.75″ makes the Clubman or this not a M-I-N-I? Hum, seems there had been many iterations of the classic Mini over the years why not this M-I-N-I? Geez!
MeanMrMstrd

I’m thinking this won’t be in the Dakar any time soon.
timc

If its built outside the UK,will it still be a MINI? As surely part of the MINI brand heritage is the UK origin?
Jon

Nice mule shots, to bad nothing other than the under carriage is the only thing that will be on the suv mini so far. Last I read they are still speaking about a 5 door model on it. Loved their classification the fashionista Mini heh.

Still believe however that Mini would have been hard pressed to find anything that is as divisive to the Mini community if they would have reached for that goal.
AN

I dunno Tim – are all the BMW’s built in South Africa and the US not really BMWs?
greg

I tried to be open minded about the (barf) Clubman since it is a nod to the Mini heritage. However, I am starting to see the point of those who frown upon the concept of diluting the brand.

What’s next? The MINIvan?

I won’t lose any sleep over any of these but they they do not receive a thumbs up from me. I’m trying to picture these, Clubmans, and whatever at the Dragon.

Just aren’t my idea of what MINIs are.
timc

We are talking about MINIs, not BMWs.
Vanwall

The originals were only ten ft long, so how does that validate interpretations of the word Mini or even MINI? And where were such carpers when the new MINI was being introduced? Gimme a break. As for MINIs built outside of the UK, that’s also old news – they were license-built in a number of places, including Italy, where the GP was assembled incidently – I challenge anyone to say an Innocenti or the GP is less of a Mini or a MINI. All this argy-bargy about size is meaningless, as it’s obvious MINIs will be small cars, so if you have size issues, sounds like a personal problem to me. I guess some’ll have a chance to compare sizes at the Dragon, but no whining if one’s size doesn’t measure up to one’s abilities.
Victor

Are those widened fender arches!!

if so i can see those on my R56
http://www.lilcoopr.com lilcoopr

It doesn’t make any sense that MINI is changing their values of a small car and moving towards making larger model variations. I know that the bottomline is profit, but if they keep trying to have a car for everyone to fit every need, they will turn into a brand that lost their identity. Remember those “anti-SUV” campaigns MINI had a couple years ago?

My friend started laughing as he told me that the new Fiat 500 is smaller than the MINI yet apparently more spacious AND cheaper. He called it the “MINI killer”. :(

I just think that MINI should be focussing on what makes MINI a MINI. Among those characteristics, is the size. And I agree with timc: the English heiritage is a big part of that brand identity.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe
My friend started laughing as he told me that the new Fiat 500 is smaller than the MINI yet apparently more spacious AND cheaper. Ã‚Â He called it the “MINI killer”. Ã‚Â :(

Two things to keep in mind.
- Despite all the praise, no one has gone on record and said the 500 performs (ie handles) better than the MINI. It simply isn’t meant to. And from what I’e seen of the 500, it’s interior is not as large as the MINI’s.
- Fiat will be introducing convertible and extended versions of the 500 in the coming years. If they do well you can surely expect a small SUV.
Mark

I hear ya lilcooper, and agree. Isn’t the new Fiat designed by the same guy that designed the first release of the MINI for BMW? Shows. The thing that really bothers me, is the original Mini was a working-stiff affordable car. Yes I know the dollar vs euro argument, but BMW seems to going down the same path VW did. Keeping that price-creep headed North, into the premium and premium plus territory. Burned and almost took VW down, and that (coupled with their QC issues) has really put them on the ropes. Muddy the MINI brand with higher and higher priced (odd) variants, and I can see the same thing happening to MINI/BMW
cze33r

Does anyone else have an issue with it being called the Monte ? It’s a really tenuous link to a great time in history for Mini, at least the MC40 was an anniversary edition … and a very cool one at that.
Scarlett O’MINI

People think they need AWD, when really what they need to do is brush up on their winter driving skills and put a good set of winter tires. Any person who drives 24/7 on paved roads and thinks they must have AWD is an idiot. Gimmee back my fun MINI!
JFS

Make it a 5-door while keeping it as compact as possible!
Mike

I think this is blasphemy to MINI. And creating this vehicle kind of turns me away from MINI in general…
MeanMrMstrd

Good Lord! Dilute the brand, gad!? Huh! Has anyone of you MINI-Philes checked the history of the Mini? Give it a try and you might feel kinda silly suggesting that a MINI is only one iteration. Google it, I’m sure you know how to Google, buy a book on the subject.

Maybe MotoringFile could do a History of the Mini/MINI and then maybe we could have some enlightened conversation. As a matter of fact I think I’ll do a history of the MINI/Mini on my blog, stay tuned. LOL
ST

Go Scarlett O’MINI!!!! Why the hell does everyone think they need an SUV? What’s wrong with a car? This thing may still be small by American standards where everything has to be huge, but for the rest of the world (yes it does exist) it’s no longer a MINI. The Clubman I sorta get, but if you want a SUV, buy a Toyota!
MeanMrMstrd

Here ya go:

Mini Saloon Mk I 1959 to 1967

Mini Saloon Mk I 1959 to 1967

Mini Cooper & Cooper S Mk I 1961 to 1967

Mini Cooper & Cooper S Mk I 1961 to 1967

Mini Van, Pick-Up, Countryman, Traveller Mk I 1960 to 1967

Mini Van, Pick-Up, Countryman, Traveller Mk I 1960 to 1967
Craig

The Wikipedia article is also a good place to see how diverse the original Mini was.
mike

i saw more power to MINI/BMW. make as many variants as you can to make as much money as they can. that way they can keep making improvements over all. IMO, it will lead to a better quality car. same way the cayenne supports the 911.
mike

i mean, i SAY more power.

gabe, be a pal and fix my above post and delete this one, please.
Jon

The fact is the SUV may or may not sell well, though on this I think it will sell well. I however do still believe that this is already starting to causing harm to the mini community. I also don’t expect it will stop anytime soon.

Mini has alway amazed me with their skill for coming up with new concepts this just happens to be nothing short of falling on the band wagon. I would have been much happier if they though this was needed to make a X.5 of X1.
nuvolari

I’m assuming this is an AWD Clubman with raised suspension. Lower it, tweak the engine, strip the body cladding and you are in business.
MINIme

Someone mentioned Dakar above. That would be a great name for the SAV, although I can’t see this vehicle running the Paris-Dakar. Also, Countryman would be nice. I simply can’t wait for the production of this vehicle! I want 4 real doors for entry-exit though.

Some folks do need SUVs and minivans. It’s called having children. My kids love my ’05 S, but due to the fact that I don’t want their necks broken by an airbag, only 2 can ride in the rear. I sure hope this vehicle is built to haul 5 passengers. Cars are great, but not nearly as useful as SUVs and minivans. Sorry. That is a fact regardless of anyone else thinks.

My wish list includes (but is not limited to):

AWD w/ LSD front and rear seating for 5 with weather/stain-proof fabric 4 doors plus barn doors or lift back (I don’t really care) raised suspension with truck sized tires bigger disc brakes F&R hill-descent control standard roof rack rails

I am keeping my fingers crossed that MINI will engineeer this the right way…
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Why the hell does everyone think they need an SUV? WhatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s wrong with a car? This thing may still be small by American standards where everything has to be huge, but for the rest of the world (yes it does exist) itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s no longer a MINI.

While I like what your saying – I want to call out special attention to “the rest of the world” as you call it. This site gets an incredible amount of visits from countries outside the US and I think they get short-changed in the comment section from time to time. Nice to see a mention of “the rest of the world” :)

IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m assuming this is an AWD Clubman with raised suspension. Lower it, tweak the engine, strip the body cladding and you are in business.

While I totally agree – that’s not quite what the R60 will be.
ST

AWD w/ LSD front and rear seating for 5 with weather/stain-proof fabric 4 doors plus barn doors or lift back (I donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t really care) raised suspension with truck sized tires bigger disc brakes F&R hill-descent control standard roof rack rails

Me thinks Toyota can help out with awful soccermum trucksters!
Chris M

I like it. I’ve been hoping for an AWD Mini of some sort. I know it’s not necessary… for that matter neither is the Mini itself.
nuvolari

While I totally agree – thatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s not quite what the R60 will be.

Please elaborate.
marco

that “MINI” is huge… more like a Medium
Mark

MINI is totally missing the target. They need to be doing the One and the D for the US market. Instead they are totally going in the wrong direction.
Mac

Those German Designers just can’t let go of the stationwagon/family truckster idea. Can’t sell it with a BMW logo on it so try slapping a MINI logo on it. Hey, BMW the Kombiwagon is DEAD!
ValparaisoExpress

Why my post from yesterday got deleted, Gabe?
http://www.lilcoopr.com lilcoopr

marco: that “MINI” is hugeÃ¢â‚¬Â¦ more like a Medium

Mark: MINI is totally missing the target. They need to be doing the One and the D for the US market. Instead they are totally going in the wrong direction.

THANKYOU!!!!!!!!

That’s exactly my point.

Gabe: Fiat will be introducing convertible and extended versions of the 500 in the coming years. If they do well you can surely expect a small SUV.

And Gabe, I think that Fiat can do it because their name does not mean “very small”, like MINI’s does. And Fiat is not building their brand (or maybe not yet?) on the fact that bigger is not better, gas guzzling is out of style, anti-suvs, little is the new big, etc, the way MINI has. I am well aware of the history of the MINI. But no where in there do I see large SUVs. The extended wheelbase models were just that: longer than the original, but not 10x bigger.

Everyday I keep reading automotive articles about how small cars are taking over the market. After the Frankfurt Autoshow, that was a popular comment: regarding the rise in popularity of small, urban cars. I just think that a brand, like MINI, that has worked so hard to build such a clear identity, should focus on preserving that and be at the cutting edge of developing more fuel-efficient and even more compact cars that mesh well with the anti-suv values that they are trying to instill on their (potential) customers. Let the 9 million other automakers fight a losing battle in the oversaturated SUV market and focus on being at the top of the small car market once again.
Vanwall

Some people are gonna buy an SUV regardless, which in most people’s minds seems to be a LARGE vehicle, so I hope MINI is able to get ‘em to downsize. I don’t see the problem with a Clubman-based AWD – it can’t really be much larger then the existing car, as it uses the existing platform for modifications, according to this article. If you really think the Clubman is huge, you need new glasses. The MINI brand needs to grow, and why not bring the joy of less is more to the AWD segment? If any segment needs a dose of the smalls, it’s that very market, and just look at the picture above – it can’t really be much longer, lower, or wider. It’ll prolly be a bit taller, and lo and behold, it might have that extra door people are looking for, but it could be a real coup if MINI is able to bring the David vs Goliath attitude to the AWD segment.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Why my post from yesterday got deleted, Gabe?

Hey Frank – as I mentioned elsewhere I donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t really do much of the post moderation anymore so I’m not the best person to address your question.
MeanMrMstrd

Vanwall, if true to Cluban form seems 9.75 is it, lengthwise that is.

Hell most SUVs have bigger ash trays.
BartMack

Well… I’ve just sold my 06 MCSC (and it still looked amazing driving away :sad: ), but folks- I’m out until if and when and where a kool 2 seat speedster ever arrives. I literally dream about a resurrected Triumph brand from BMW.. I would be all over that. A MINI RAV4-X1-Whatever does nothing to stir my emotions at all. I only hope that if it does ever happen that it won’t have the front end of the R56 that I’m sorry to say I’ve never taken to. Looks like a Boxster or a Z4 is next in line for me….
http://sotaMINIs.com southriver

Well, the SAV is keeping with the MINI tradition of offering smaller forms of what ever is out there. The Mini Van was a Mini original, not Chrysler as they claim. How about the Pickup and the Moke and and the Mini has been produced outside of the UK. Look at the Inoccetti (sp) for example. I am totally pumped to see how this little Clubman on steroids turns out.

P.S. It has been declared that the SAV will be made in Austria. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=123873

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