Comments on: World Premier: MINI Crossover Breaks Cover

By: Bor

Bor — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:08:22 +0000

nice concept - except the ugly headlights

I can see that after some brushing and simplifying it could become a nice production model (need to change the headlights first)

By: Mark (Ohio)

Mark (Ohio) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:01:39 +0000

One word: Boo!

By: Rocketboy

Rocketboy — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:48:04 +0000

Nimcosi.. It’s just the usual “IT’S NOT WHAT I’M USED TO” bellyaching. Take a look at it in A: Person, but more importantly B: In PRODUCTION, and then decide. I didn’t think that the changes in the 08 MINIs would be as drastic as they were, and well, I like my first year MCS better than the new MINIs. But again, I wasn’t pissing and moaning on blogs UNTIL I saw one in person.

By: faster,Tobias!

faster,Tobias! — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:16:49 +0000

Why all the hysteria? It is a concept, a design exercise. When the Clubman made it to market, it didn’t have a bloody tea table on the roof or swivelling front seats, both of which were elements of the concept cars. And to put the size in perspective, at four metres it is about 10cm (3.97″) longer than the Clubman. How many seats JonPD, Splee, are you going to get in there? Personally I don’t care for the current interior but I am fairly confident it won’t arrive at dealerships in that configuration.

By: Nimcosi

Nimcosi — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:58:27 +0000

Interesting that the fuel filler is on the left, probably because of the sliding door. Not a big fan of the headlights, looks too much like an Infiniti/Porsche love child. But overall it is intriguing.

I am not sure it is worthy of all the vitriol going on here....

By: Nathan

Nathan — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:33:37 +0000

HOORAY! After a few years of raging success, it’s time to dilute the brand. Sounds about right.

By: Ian

Ian — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:58:11 +0000

I like it and that’s all that matters.

By: C4

C4 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:55:33 +0000

I think Frank Stephenson is bitting his tongue as hard as he possibly can…

By: Matt G.

Matt G. — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:45:01 +0000

AN: I didn’t say it wasn’t. I was just pointing out that some people are focusing on details that will certainly not make it to the production version.

By: ohiocooper

ohiocooper — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:19:40 +0000

Looks a little like an Infiniti FX that’s been shrunk in the wash and beat with a baseball bat. Still, the funky doors are cool. Just keep it small, MINI. If I wanted big, I would’ve kept my SUV.

By: AN

AN — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:15:43 +0000

MattG – The Clubman is pretty similar. Remember when everyone said those bumps on the roof wouldn’t make it to production? Oops.

By: dickdavid

dickdavid — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:40:26 +0000

I don't hate it.

Interesting door configuration.

By: Ned

Ned — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:23:24 +0000

I have no issue with MINI bringing an SUV, my partner is very anxious to part ex her R52 for a 4x4 MINI, and I'll get to keep my R53 Works, so it's win win. What I do have an issue with is the rapidly declining ambience of the MINI brand.

The interior of this car, while still a concept, is conceptually hidious. The original R50/2/3 interiors were simplistic, yet a wonderful place to spend a few hours. But then, the R56 was a disaster, we all know about the horrific centre stack, but there are other weak points, the horrible hard plastic tunnel under the ebrake, the cup holders with exposed screws at the bottom looking up at you, the cheap colour lines that are harsh to touch, and the simple fact that the people who designed the centre console, and the ebrake console never seemed to have met and discussed ideas.

This car looks like more of the same. I know I'll be impressed with the driving dynamics, as I am with the R56 in my stable that we only occasionally use, I'll be impressed with the door configuration, and the practicality, and I'll probably buy it. But it's this constant downgrading of materials, and poor interior (Not exterior - I'm happy with that) design that will eventually ruin the brand for me.

It's supposed to be a premium small car, sometimes I think MINI seem to believe all they need to achieve that goal is an impressive engine, and good chassis, and the rest will be ignored by the Motoring Press and Public ...

For the record, I've been a MINI enthusiast for years, and will continue to be. I've visited all the Parisian and Londinium Motorshows to see the concepts, and the launch of new models. So while this is a concept, I do understand how that will be interpreted into the final design and the changes it will undergo.

By: GoMiniGo

GoMiniGo — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:10:07 +0000

just give me a Clubman with AWD and the current ride height and you can have another $30k+ of mine. With this one, I will pass. too bad.

By: Dede

Dede — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:03:27 +0000

I hate, hate the dash concept. I own a 02 Cooper S and love the simple, yet stylish dash. Big dish speedo, simple central console, toggles, and a tach at the wheel. Nice and simple. Thought the 2nd generation was way over designed, overly complicated, so much so that I didn’t buy a new mini. Seriously. The interior caused me to walk. Hard core fan with on of the first S’s in the SF Bay area. Kept hoping someone would redo the current dash to provide the good exterior with the right interior. And now I see an even bigger step in the wrong direction. Who cares about tech if I can’t in an instant figure out how it works. You shouldn’t have to open a manual to figure out how to operate all parts of the vehicle. Should be intuitive. Not the piece of crap in this concept car. If Mini can’t produce a car with a stylish, simple interior, my 02 will be the last Mini I buy – and for me that would be a sad moment.

By: Matt G.

Matt G. — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:27:29 +0000

Be careful about what details you pay attention to. The final product will probably be about as similar to this concept as the Clubman is to the concept wagon.

By: nuvolari

nuvolari — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:03:03 +0000

Just plain silly.

By: JonPD

JonPD — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:22:59 +0000

6" longer than a Clubman, 6" wider than a Clubman, 4 meters long a Mini. Seems like the typical BMW approach of bigger is better, if you doubt me check out a the monstrous size that the BMW has grown to.

Car Magazine:

Mini's chief designer Gert Hildebrand has briefed us on the positioning of the new Mini 4x4. He told CAR: 'The Crossover can be summed up by the number four: four doors, four-wheel drive, four seats, more than four metres long and, of course, it’s our fourth variation of the Mini.'

So looks like they are sold on four seaters

By: RocketMini

RocketMini — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:19:34 +0000

Looks a lot like the porsche cayenne…

By: Fred

Fred — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:12:53 +0000

“The MINI Goiter” makes its debut.