Comments on: MINI SUV to be Called the Crossman? http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/ MotoringFile | MINI news, reviews and opinion. MINI Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jon http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-192488 Jon Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:08:05 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-192488 <p>Having grown up in Colorado and spending months per year on every form of winter roads have always prepared my car for winter even though I live in the NW this is still the case. Over the winter I put on my factory 17's (replacing the 18" OZ's) with Blizzak LM-25 RPT. This easliy handles most any issue with snow. I have routinly driven front wheel drive cars over the Rockies and Cascades over the winter months with no major problems. I also keep a set of lightweight "chains" in the car when I know I will be driving at the vehicles limits for clearance or grip.</p> Having grown up in Colorado and spending months per year on every form of winter roads have always prepared my car for winter even though I live in the NW this is still the case. Over the winter I put on my factory 17′s (replacing the 18″ OZ’s) with Blizzak LM-25 RPT. This easliy handles most any issue with snow. I have routinly driven front wheel drive cars over the Rockies and Cascades over the winter months with no major problems. I also keep a set of lightweight “chains” in the car when I know I will be driving at the vehicles limits for clearance or grip.

]]> By: MINIme http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-192359 MINIme Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:49:19 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-192359 <p>Jon, what type of winter tire do you run? I have owned numerous front-wheel-drive cars over the years (mostly VWs) that did great in snow. It is probably just the tires, but my "S" scares the hell out of me in the snow.</p> <p>I got stuck (high-centered) in the snow, on a two-lane road in the middle of nowhere once. I was driving a VW Rabbit Convertible. Other than that, the car ran great. I ran 60 series tires on 14 inch wheels in those days.</p> <p>I look forward to the extra ground clearance in the SAV. Nothing like a sporty ride that can handle inclimate weather... I just hope we are not talking about 20 inch wheels and low-pro tires. Sure it looks "pimp", as my Son would say, but will take away from the functionality of having an SAV/SUV. I am thinking 265/60/17. Maybe Avon will make their excellent Tech ST model to fit our needs.</p> Jon, what type of winter tire do you run? I have owned numerous front-wheel-drive cars over the years (mostly VWs) that did great in snow. It is probably just the tires, but my “S” scares the hell out of me in the snow.

I got stuck (high-centered) in the snow, on a two-lane road in the middle of nowhere once. I was driving a VW Rabbit Convertible. Other than that, the car ran great. I ran 60 series tires on 14 inch wheels in those days.

I look forward to the extra ground clearance in the SAV. Nothing like a sporty ride that can handle inclimate weather… I just hope we are not talking about 20 inch wheels and low-pro tires. Sure it looks “pimp”, as my Son would say, but will take away from the functionality of having an SAV/SUV. I am thinking 265/60/17. Maybe Avon will make their excellent Tech ST model to fit our needs.

]]> By: Jon http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-192302 Jon Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:42:41 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-192302 <p>Heh why wait, my coupe plays in the snow already. No suv needed here.</p> Heh why wait, my coupe plays in the snow already. No suv needed here.

]]> By: Vanwall http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-192178 Vanwall Sat, 22 Dec 2007 05:18:53 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-192178 <p>Third time's a charm, Cap'n! ;-) I imagine we'll see these in the ski towns some.</p> Third time’s a charm, Cap’n! ;-) I imagine we’ll see these in the ski towns some.

]]> By: MINIme http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-192141 MINIme Sat, 22 Dec 2007 02:00:04 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-192141 <p>Yea, not too many gentleman farmers out there. Oh well, I was attempting to romanticize the whole notion a bit.</p> <p>I can see the offspring of the Range Rover set driving this. I have had valets fight over parking my car when Porsches, MBs, Range Rovers, etc. were flanking her, jockeying for a parking spot. Alas, they all lost as I always self-park (no joy rides in my baby). Also, the hip urban cowboy who has a kayak or mountain bike or a couple of Labradors. I don't see the soccer mom driving this. Still too small.</p> <p>I am praying for Land Rover LR2 capability.</p> Yea, not too many gentleman farmers out there. Oh well, I was attempting to romanticize the whole notion a bit.

I can see the offspring of the Range Rover set driving this. I have had valets fight over parking my car when Porsches, MBs, Range Rovers, etc. were flanking her, jockeying for a parking spot. Alas, they all lost as I always self-park (no joy rides in my baby). Also, the hip urban cowboy who has a kayak or mountain bike or a couple of Labradors. I don’t see the soccer mom driving this. Still too small.

I am praying for Land Rover LR2 capability.

]]> By: O(=^=)OCapn http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-192091 O(=^=)OCapn Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:51:30 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-192091 <p>I Meant BRG. Fat Fingers</p> I Meant BRG. Fat Fingers

]]> By: O(=^=)OCapn http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-192090 O(=^=)OCapn Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:51:08 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-192090 <p>I meany BRG</p> I meany BRG

]]> By: O(=^=)OCapn http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-192083 O(=^=)OCapn Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:37:12 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-192083 <p>BVR and Vanwall, I agree completely.</p> <p>Is being a troll MINI-like? I don't think so.</p> <p>I vote for Dakar!!! that would be the best. Mojave is really good too.</p> <p>Good Job Mark</p> BVR and Vanwall, I agree completely.

Is being a troll MINI-like? I don’t think so.

I vote for Dakar!!! that would be the best. Mojave is really good too.

Good Job Mark

]]> By: bavarian racing green http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-192075 bavarian racing green Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:04:59 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-192075 <p>...i did say 'rally-style' vehicle...</p> <p>...i did not say a true rally ready vehicle...</p> <p>...no one who buys a WRX would dare engage in a rally w/o significant mods...</p> <p>...my point was only to say that the real numbers, facts, and history about this vehicle point more to a WRX or small Forester type vehicle than a bloated land yacht used to ferry small suburban offspring to mildly organized socio-politically motivated sporting events... ;)</p> …i did say ‘rally-style’ vehicle…

…i did not say a true rally ready vehicle…

…no one who buys a WRX would dare engage in a rally w/o significant mods…

…my point was only to say that the real numbers, facts, and history about this vehicle point more to a WRX or small Forester type vehicle than a bloated land yacht used to ferry small suburban offspring to mildly organized socio-politically motivated sporting events… ;)

]]> By: Jon http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-192047 Jon Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:35:49 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-192047 <p>Better than Crossman for sure lol.</p> <p>I don't see this aimed at the gentleman farmer either. I see it being crafted for young urban dwellers that either because of outgrowing the current Mini or filling the thirst of drivers in the US market for larger vehicles. They have already said the primary reason for the development is for the US market which I think has more young urban drivers than gentleman farmers heh.</p> Better than Crossman for sure lol.

I don’t see this aimed at the gentleman farmer either. I see it being crafted for young urban dwellers that either because of outgrowing the current Mini or filling the thirst of drivers in the US market for larger vehicles. They have already said the primary reason for the development is for the US market which I think has more young urban drivers than gentleman farmers heh.

]]> By: MINIme http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-191864 MINIme Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:12:28 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-191864 <p>I like Countryman! That was one of my original votes. Yes, this is ideal. A MINI suitable for the gentleman farmer... Tool around the pasture or motor into town for a pint. Sounds perfect!</p> I like Countryman! That was one of my original votes. Yes, this is ideal. A MINI suitable for the gentleman farmer… Tool around the pasture or motor into town for a pint. Sounds perfect!

]]> By: Jon http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-191794 Jon Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:12:44 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-191794 <p>Completely agree Bwana, just was pointing out the exact same thing actually. The R60 development isn't a rally car, its a micro luxury suv.</p> <p>I do however have to say though that the new Mini followed along near perfectly with the original with their performance versus other cars of their time. The original Mini was designed as a micro commuter auto, but people quickly found that this little car held up with many other cars because of being lightweight and having exceptional handling.</p> Completely agree Bwana, just was pointing out the exact same thing actually. The R60 development isn’t a rally car, its a micro luxury suv.

I do however have to say though that the new Mini followed along near perfectly with the original with their performance versus other cars of their time. The original Mini was designed as a micro commuter auto, but people quickly found that this little car held up with many other cars because of being lightweight and having exceptional handling.

]]> By: Bwana Yak http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-191747 Bwana Yak Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:18:20 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-191747 <p>So who says MINI should only make rally-style cars? Most of the original Mini models were made for ordinary working-class owners who used them for commuting and light-duty hauling. Just because they were also popular for retooling with a very small group of enthusiasts doesn't mean the entire product line has to be tied to that criteria.</p> <p>MINI came back as a performance car because they knew that would excite people and build brand recognition, but if you look at the bloodline that produced the current MINI, there's plenty of room for variants that aren't specifically designed for the track.</p> So who says MINI should only make rally-style cars? Most of the original Mini models were made for ordinary working-class owners who used them for commuting and light-duty hauling. Just because they were also popular for retooling with a very small group of enthusiasts doesn’t mean the entire product line has to be tied to that criteria.

MINI came back as a performance car because they knew that would excite people and build brand recognition, but if you look at the bloodline that produced the current MINI, there’s plenty of room for variants that aren’t specifically designed for the track.

]]> By: Vanwall http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-191694 Vanwall Thu, 20 Dec 2007 06:09:44 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-191694 <p>Well done, bavarian racing green!</p> Well done, bavarian racing green!

]]> By: Jon http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-191686 Jon Thu, 20 Dec 2007 04:43:03 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-191686 <p>Heh Vanwall you caught me, sorry all was at the end of a exceptionally long day. Still doesn't change my view that this is anything that can be linked into Mini's rally history. This is a luxury SUV not a rally car.</p> Heh Vanwall you caught me, sorry all was at the end of a exceptionally long day. Still doesn’t change my view that this is anything that can be linked into Mini’s rally history. This is a luxury SUV not a rally car.

]]> By: bavarian racing green http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-191678 bavarian racing green Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:56:04 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-191678 <p>...breathe...</p> <p>...breathe...</p> <p>...SEVEN INCHES LONGER THAN THE FRIGGIN C-R-X!!!</p> <p>...how is that not MINI???</p> …breathe…

…breathe…

…SEVEN INCHES LONGER THAN THE FRIGGIN C-R-X!!!

…how is that not MINI???

]]> By: bavarian racing green http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-2/#comment-191677 bavarian racing green Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:52:29 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-191677 <p>...i don't have near the knowledge some have about MINIs heritage, but I would like to re-iterate a statement...</p> <p>...some make ridiculous judgments and claims regarding this vehicle and it's style and purpose...</p> <p>...NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THIS IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE...</p> <p>...THAT IS A CLUBMAN ON TOP OF A PROTOTYPE DRIVETRAIN...</p> <p>...the 'soccer mom' comments and even the 'SUV' references are silly upon silly...</p> <p>...let's review some dimension of some popular motor vehicles...</p> <p>...Honda CRV = 4500mm overall length...</p> <p>...Mazdaspeed3 = 4490mm overall length...</p> <p>...Subaru WRX = 4572mm overall length...</p> <p>...Honda CRX = 3775mm overall length...</p> <p>...MINI 'R60' = 3960mm overall length!!!!!!</p> <p>...though MS3 and WRX are close to CRV I don't see anyone calling them SUVs...</p> <p>...and i don't see many 'soccer moms' driving rally cars like the WRX...</p> <p>...from this empirical evidence one would more logically conclude this vehicle from MINI will be a non-aggressive (MINI is fun and happy) rally-type vehicle with BMW grade suspension/drivetrain...</p> <p>...20 inches shorter than a WRX!!!</p> <p>...and the possibility of DIESEL!!!</p> <p>...how can anyone who likes cars at all not be excited by this...</p> …i don’t have near the knowledge some have about MINIs heritage, but I would like to re-iterate a statement…

…some make ridiculous judgments and claims regarding this vehicle and it’s style and purpose…

…NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THIS IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE…

…THAT IS A CLUBMAN ON TOP OF A PROTOTYPE DRIVETRAIN…

…the ‘soccer mom’ comments and even the ‘SUV’ references are silly upon silly…

…let’s review some dimension of some popular motor vehicles…

…Honda CRV = 4500mm overall length…

…Mazdaspeed3 = 4490mm overall length…

…Subaru WRX = 4572mm overall length…

…Honda CRX = 3775mm overall length…

…MINI ‘R60′ = 3960mm overall length!!!!!!

…though MS3 and WRX are close to CRV I don’t see anyone calling them SUVs…

…and i don’t see many ‘soccer moms’ driving rally cars like the WRX…

…from this empirical evidence one would more logically conclude this vehicle from MINI will be a non-aggressive (MINI is fun and happy) rally-type vehicle with BMW grade suspension/drivetrain…

…20 inches shorter than a WRX!!!

…and the possibility of DIESEL!!!

…how can anyone who likes cars at all not be excited by this…

]]> By: Vanwall http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-1/#comment-191666 Vanwall Thu, 20 Dec 2007 02:13:32 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-191666 <p>Never heard Pat Moss-Carlsson referred to like that, much less a Mr. Oh, pardon my parsing your ignorance, you must mean that wonderful Irishman, Mr. Hopkirk. P-A-D-D-Y never raced against anything in his heyday like the AWD MINI projected here, and the New MINI itself is much more like what he would've raced against, as it is a third bigger than the 1275S Mr. Hopkirk drove. If you must insist on name-dropping to bolster a specious claim, at least spell their names correctly, and if size is some kind of yardstick, you've already lost the argument, as has been pointed out ad-nauseum here. God forbid we should try to bring those soccer moms (even if a poor analogy on some folk's part) into the MINI fold - the less-is-more camp, where the AWD MINI will surely be compared to real bloated vehicles - why, where would that leave the self-appointed arbiters of MINI-ness? Divisive talk has no place in my MINI world, which seems to be a nicer place without those spouting drivel about their measure of what makes a MINI owner.</p> Never heard Pat Moss-Carlsson referred to like that, much less a Mr. Oh, pardon my parsing your ignorance, you must mean that wonderful Irishman, Mr. Hopkirk. P-A-D-D-Y never raced against anything in his heyday like the AWD MINI projected here, and the New MINI itself is much more like what he would’ve raced against, as it is a third bigger than the 1275S Mr. Hopkirk drove. If you must insist on name-dropping to bolster a specious claim, at least spell their names correctly, and if size is some kind of yardstick, you’ve already lost the argument, as has been pointed out ad-nauseum here. God forbid we should try to bring those soccer moms (even if a poor analogy on some folk’s part) into the MINI fold – the less-is-more camp, where the AWD MINI will surely be compared to real bloated vehicles – why, where would that leave the self-appointed arbiters of MINI-ness? Divisive talk has no place in my MINI world, which seems to be a nicer place without those spouting drivel about their measure of what makes a MINI owner.

]]> By: Jon http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-1/#comment-191602 Jon Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:19:35 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-191602 <p>No offense meant but think less less rally and more soccer mom. When I think Mini and rally I think of lightweight minimalistic small cars. As a matter of fact the R60 is likely to be more akin to the vehicles Patty raced against than any Mini he drove.</p> <p>I agree that it should be named for what they have designed this for. Maybe the Mini supper rugged looking soccer mom edition</p> No offense meant but think less less rally and more soccer mom. When I think Mini and rally I think of lightweight minimalistic small cars. As a matter of fact the R60 is likely to be more akin to the vehicles Patty raced against than any Mini he drove.

I agree that it should be named for what they have designed this for. Maybe the Mini supper rugged looking soccer mom edition

]]> By: Jay9s http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/comment-page-1/#comment-191590 Jay9s Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:49:31 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/12/17/mini-suv-to-be-called-the-crossman/#comment-191590 <p>....Or, how about a MINI-Popemobile: The Clergyman! (ouch...but I had to)</p> ….Or, how about a MINI-Popemobile: The Clergyman! (ouch…but I had to)

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