Comments on: 4 x 4 x 4 x 4 MINI (Official UK Release)

By: SFRedMCc

SFRedMCc — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:18:06 +0000

On “www.topspeed.com” I found a 6-28-08 concept rendering for the Crossman that I think looks much better than these “monstrosities”. Here’s the link: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/-bmw-x1-and-mini-suv-concepts-to-be-revealed-in-paris-ar58399.html

By: SFRedMCc

SFRedMCc — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:58:01 +0000

Here are some excerts form an article just came up on AutoExpress.com:

“New MINI Crossman muscles in………The adventure continues… with a jacked-up 4×4 five-door set to head for the hills. We have all the details prior to the newcomerâ€™s Paris Motor Show debut……But itâ€™s not without controversy, as the machineâ€™s new face will no doubt spark debate among MINI enthusiasts…….This is a very politically correct 4×4………That appears to be the message from parent firm BMW, too â€“ as Auto Express has learned that the Crossman will form the basis of a new blue propeller model. This is expected to wear the X1 badge, and offer the blend of rugged ability and desirability found on the X3, X5 and `X6 in a far smaller package. However, the BMWâ€™s design will be much more conservative than the new MINIâ€™s.”

Here’s the link to the article: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/227685/new_mini_crossman_muscles_in.html

By: JonPD

JonPD — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:29:29 +0000

Michael have to say your wife's reaction was the same as mine. My wife's comment was baffled at the idea of this Mini and why BMW made this choice.

Also glad I am not the only one that wonders how the price point between the R60 and the X1 will work out. I think we are going to see the same issue we are seeing between the JCW Mini and the 135i. There are more than a few people out there that have already faced this and sure more are to follow with the R60 and the X1. I also believe the automotive press is going to have a field day with the R60. No matter how good this car may or may not be there will be a change in the perception of the Mini brand. I am no fortune teller so this could be a good or bad thing, I just feel this is quite a gamble for what is one of the most successful brands out there right now.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:05:46 +0000

I'm sure that by the time this gets to production, the control globe will be gone, the center rail concept will be gone, and I really hope the PT Cruiser-like back end and the armored car sides with narrow windows (can you tell I hate this recent design trend?) will be gone too. I'm waiting for the day one of the current window-hating designers will design a car with no windows and with LCD projections of the exterior scene on the interior surfaces. I'm sure we'll see infrared night-vision assist projections onto the windshield before that, but I digress...

The front end is actually the only thing I like, except for that it's too big. The style reminds me of the stance of the classic Minis with the grill, headlights and eager, slight forward lean (or what seems to be one). Sliding door is cool but why not on both sides? The seam below the A beam is awful. MINI seems to be progressively screwing up that design element. It was good in the R50-53s, sort of a cheap looking scab on the R56, and this concept makes it an eyesore to me.

Will be interesting to see how the production model settles...

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:38:49 +0000

WOW! All I have to comment is that I just showed this "concept" to my wife .... she responded "I don't know what that it is, but I hate it and it is not miny; isn't MINI supposed to be miny?" That pretty much sums it up. I am still trying to figure out what they are trying to do with this thing. It looks like MINI has followed BMWs footsteps and trying to build something for every niche market on the planet, no matter how small it is. The price point between this and the new X1 I would imagine is going to be not all that much (since they over engineered all those gimmicky doors). The X1 is going to equate to the size of a Rav 4 and seat 5..... this is a 4 seater a la X6.

I guess the market will dictate how much of a success this is...

I will say that BMW is usually ahead of the curve so this may in the end be genius since CAFE will soon limit other SUVs so there may be a market for it after all.

By: miniman

miniman — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:18:16 +0000

who da hell thought this up, i have been a fan of the mini, old and new, for many years now and i think that bmw are ruining all the mini name stands for. Their recent clubdoor thing on the clubman has shown bmw only wants to concentrate on doing things weirdly to make the mini practical, yes the door works well on the continent but in britain the rear passengers exit through the clubdoor into oncoming traffic because bmw can’t be bodged with changing it over to the left for the uk. the croosover is just as mad, why make a mini suv, why not spend money on rerfining eco friendly engines and increasing space in the current coupe, getting rid of the stupid clubdoor and making mini models that people want and will warrant the minis heritage, not making yankee gas guzzlers. BMW shove this concept somewhere where the sun don’t shine and try again!!!!!!!!!

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:55:45 +0000

After a couple days to think about it, I think that we are seeing some key details of the production version. The earlier design study for the Clubman had a similar snout and we saw that replaced with the current MINI front end. I expect we will see the same here. Maybe new upper and lower grills with a egg crate feel. I also think that we will see four standard doors on the production version too. It will look like the right side with standard doors. Two reasons why I think this: first, the gas filler is going to be on the same side it is for all current MINIs, the US driver’s side. Second, structural rigidity. Now, regarding the rear door, I hope Gabe is right in saying that we will see a standard hatch similar to the coupe. I’d also be OK with a split hatch: glass hinges up, door hinges down, or a old GM station wagon where the glass lowered into the door (like the 4-runner too). About Toyota, yes, the roof line does look like the FJ Cruiser. I think it is a better implementation here since the FJ had huge pillars blocking visibility. The Honda Element has a similar roof/glass line. So bring up a photo of the right side, imagine the current production front end, paint the thing chocolate brown (or the color of your choice) with a contrasting silver top and I think you will get a better picture of what we will see in the production version. Wouldn’t this be an SAV (as in Sport Activity Vehicle, like BMW) or Cross-over rather than an SUV?

By: lavardera

lavardera — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:58:56 +0000

actually all the photos before the photo browser are labled Mini One

By: lavardera

lavardera — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:55:33 +0000

the photo on this entry is also mislabled as the Mini One.

By: Bilbo Baggins

Bilbo Baggins — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:41:08 +0000

Any idea about what will be powering this thing?

By: Dr Obnxs

Dr Obnxs — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:05:43 +0000

In one of the other threads, Gabe wrote that he thought this was closer to a production version (in many ways, not the nav globe) than the initial Clubman design studies. He's got good contacts, so we'll see if it's close to the production version or a design study... Time will surely tell.

Matt

By: Dan S

Dan S — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:39:05 +0000

That grill makes this the ugliest car I’ve seen since the Russian ZIL! The designer, who must be a spy from another manufacturer, should be forced to drive Yugos for the rest of his/her life!

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:34:12 +0000

This is a joke, Right?

No it's a concept car. CONCEPT CAR. Not PRODUCTION car. Please note the difference. Remember how different the Traveler concept was from the Clubman production car. Concepts are supposed to be over the top designs.

By: neuron

neuron — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:24:50 +0000

oops maybe this would work

http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/100-greatest/03-large/26-citroen-2cv.jpg

By: neuron

neuron — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:21:09 +0000

I meant this:

http://www.motoprovencale.com/sidecarrentals.php

not sure, but i think it’s Ural.

But I really like this :http://www.motoprovencale.com/2CVtours.php 33hp, 50mpg, smooooth ride

I remember when MINI first came out, the reliability was very poor. I was told it improved to “average” in the 05-06 years. Could R56 reliability suffering from the new model syndrome?

By: Dr Obnxs

Dr Obnxs — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:58:35 +0000

fiat 500 ain't here... Yet! I'm hoping it will come. Too bad the MiTo doesn't look like it will be here.

I just checked out a BMW/Sidecar combo this weekend. While it's small, the things don't lean, so you have to turn it by pushing HARD on the handlebar. Sidecar is scary unsafe. Accelerate and the whole thing turns one way cause of the weight of the sidecar, slow down and it turns the other.

Anyway, I'm wondering what high cost to manufacture stuff will be dropped by the time it's released. I'm happy to have it in the fold, and I'm glad the R56 dash/centerstack seems to have a stake through it's heart. We'll see what the final release version is...

And yes, BMW/Minis money SHOULD be spent making the cars with better quality. I'd love to know what the warranty costs are for Mini to fix all the issues that come free with each car!

And now, I can hope for a Mini Pickup, and a Moke, and a Panel Van!

Matt

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:36:31 +0000

Cudos to whomever said "it looks like a baby FJ", and you know what FJ stands for in Japanese? F'n Joke! This is just a joke, Right?

By: Mk1

Mk1 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:28:46 +0000

The argument that BMW needs to keep coming up with varients to be “profitable” is really funny. If they’d slow down and just refine what they have first, and not spend all that money on re-design and retool, they would be profitable, and have less warranty issues. I know many many local MINI owners who the R56 is/was their last MINI, and has been traded for something else for two main reasons – too much model change diluting the Brand, and way too many trips to the Service Dept (free or not).

By: O(=^=)O Capn

O(=^=)O Capn — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:46:04 +0000

Ha! picture number 6 looks like a scared fish! Those headlights need to go, Other wise, Pic 6 actually looks alot like a mini of yore.

Murano yes, Infinity no! No! NO!

4x4? what happened to AWD?

I actually like that 2nd to last picture. Started out disappointed, getting to like it more.

By: neuron

neuron — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:23:38 +0000

want to go small? why stop at a R56 or fiat 500? why not a motor cycle with a sidecar? It’s 3×1, no ugly doors, and small. Or, if you want to do it right, there are planty of families in Asia who fit all five members of the family on their scooter. They are laughing their heads off at all you MINI drivers for driving a behemoth to compensate for your inadequacies. Did the inconsiderate BMW ruin it? for people whome the only thing going on in their lives are their cars? Shame on them.