Heck, the most environmentally conservative state out there California has a Governor that drives a hummer frequently. Go to any state capital and see what your representatives tend to drive and you will see a fleet of SUV’s. This a a good part why I think that little more than lip service has ever been applied to this issue.

I also agree that small crossovers have their place, then again its not like Mini is making this because there is a dramatic need of small crossovers. They for better or worse looked and saw the large sums of money to be made with small crossover. I still have to say I don’t believe every brand needs a SUV in its rank. This hands down is the single most uncreative and unimaginative move BMW/Mini could have made. The issue is if tomorrow monster SUV’s become all the rage again, with Dr Segler’s statement in the interview with Gabe they could make a full sized SUV as long as it smaller than the others.

Absolutely. And I’d go so far as to say, force drivers of these big consumer vehicles to get a special driver’s license, proving a 5′11″ Mom (or Dad) piloting a Suburban can drive it safely.

And I agree, these truck/SUV’s have gotten a pass on MPG because they’ve been primarily hawked by the (not so big anymore) Big-3, so government officials look the other way.

And for anyone wondering, why are they going on about non-MINI cars… it’s relevant… because the MINI fanbase has to consider MINI’s going “bigger” in the context of these monster cars on the road. MINI is offering a conscientious driver the option of going slightly bigger than a hardtop MINI, all things considered.

MINI is doing the right thing here, and leading the way as usual.

So what if this SAV is made for the American market? That’s good for American drivers, who can get a lot of the same functionality from a smaller vehicle, saving gas, making the roads safer, and having fun doing it.

Current MINI drivers can think of this as a way to get rig-drivers into the motoring mentality. If this is the MINI that turns their head, great… wave, let ‘em into traffic. That is, if MINI truly is about saving the planet in style, and not just a club where strict ideas of “smallness” dictate who is in and who is out. (I don’t think people on here are saying that, just making the point.)

I’m looking forward to seeing the photos and description of the concept at Paris, and am keeping an open mind (I hope) about it…mostly because by the time it launches, I will be in the market for a car that can seat 4 comfortably and it would be great to be able to stick with the brand.

I will never bash a person for buying a large vehicle if they have honest needs. As case and point my neighbor who drives a F-150 super-duty and his wife who drives a Pacifica. Both are large cars but as he is a construction worker and needs to haul loads and they have a family of 6 when they bought both vehicles I had zero issues with their choice. On the other hand another neighbor has one of the old monster Suburban that is a 4×4, that he drives to his insurance office alone each day.

I second your unhappiness about the Federal Government and bing so slow to increase mileage. However I still think this issue is mis-guided. I hear the Democratic party say we need to raise our fuel standards. This however is pointed largely at small vehicles. The real issue is that there is so little control of truck based vehicles. Take as a case and point California which says the Mini D is bad for the environment meanwhile per capita is has one of the largest numbers of SUV’s that have very little done about their incredibly low mileage and outright danger on the streets

That’s the issue. They’re not out. They don’t exist. So, family Joe buys a FWD Tahoe for his family and drives to work in it. Personally, I’m a little more inclined to criticize the auto industry and the government for allowing MPG to stagnate for years since the 70’s… and for laziness in innovation.

And, bringing it back around to this MINI crossover, I’m glad to see MINI doing something with found technology and making cars as small and efficient as possible, but still versatile with the Clubman footprint. ;)

It’s not as easy to get an AWD vehicle in Los Angeles as it is in Colorado. Don’t overestimate the number of AWD vehicles flying off the lots in warm-weather climates.

Sure, the reason is monetary, not global concern. People won’t pay the premium for AWD if they don’t need it. Ditto heated seats.

In my mind, this is just another example of needs dictating what people buy.

Yes, there will always be the single guy rolling by in his Escalade with his elbow out the window. There will always be a billion V8 trucks sold in Texas (though that’s changing too, ask Toyota). But I am prepared to look foolish sticking up for average people for buying the car they need–bigger than those of us here would buy, certainly–but because they’re concerned about usability/versatility for their 7-year purchase.

“No offense” but how about you don’t describe me at all. It’s this kind of “you’re wrong and therefore you suck” assholery that keeps me and others from wanting to participate here. Congratulations, you’ve been an excellent example.

Disagree with my ideas all you like, but leave me the #$%@ out of it.

I just know from my own personal experience that buying for the future, getting it bigger than I currently need it, is a consideration when buying something as expensive as a car. Especially if you plan to own your car 7+ years, which is most responsible for the materials going into making it, and the cost benefits to your family in driving it into the ground, so to speak.

So, I guess I’m more in agreement than I thought with the criticisms, but we don’t always know why someone buys what they buy. AWD could be for a ski trip twice a year at Big Bear, is that wrong? Not sure.

I personally try not to malign people buying things they need. The fact is a large number of these will be sold in Florida and California were the need of AWD is a joke. Also I would point out the buying behavior of Americans generally really match their needs when it comes to cars. Take for example how many 4×4 full sized trucks that have pristine paint from never going offroad and beds that have never seen work. How many Escalades are sold to families that need that many seats? Drive though any town and count the numbers of non-work trucks and single occupancy monster SUV’s.

I am sure many of the R60’s will be sold to people that need this type of car. Though I am betting most will be sold to people that don’t. Can’t remember how many times in my Mini Dealership I have heard people say, if it was just bigger. This is usually not about fitting more people or more cargo as much as the Mini is still a small car.

In fact, it’s “smart” Americans who are interested in a smaller SAV/SUV like the MINI Crossover. Not poor taste. What elitist trash.

America is a wide-wide-wide open country. If we lived in Europe, the masses would be buying compact hatchbacks. It’s a geographic issue.

And I don’t own an SUV. I am a small-car person. But I don’t like to see people maligned for buying what their needs dictate.

If you follow the World Rally Championship you will know that Citroen, Ford Focus, Subaru, etc will leave the Crossover for dead. Don’t go there. Dine out on the 1964, 65, 66, 67 Monte Carlo results forever.

And BMW doesn’t have the money to spend. They bankroll an F1 team plus tons of other smaller racing programs around the world. MINI racing these days will be strictly limited to the Challange program they already have going.

Sometimes the truth just hurts….

Matt

Now that’s just the kind of smack talk to get JCW riled up!

1) Change the front headlights to make the front end look more like a MINI product.

2) Change the ‘tailgate’ to look less like a Chrysler product. Maybe make it an actual tailgate so those of us who want to camp in our car have a platform long enough for a sleeping surface.

3) Change those FJ1-looking rear corners. It looks good on the car, but it’s such a blatant copy of the FJ1 that it’s a little embarrassing. Surely they can come up with something more original that looks as good.

Yes, but who ever thought Mini would consider making a small sports sedan? Oh, I guess you did. No offense, but I would not describe you as an automotive marketing visionary. Sedan and MINI just don’t mix.

The SAV/SUV/Soft-Off-roader thing is way over done and circling the drain. A “micro-SUV” makes much less sense than a subcompact AWD performace hatchback. There is nothing on the market there, unless you count the R32, but it is relatively large and bloated. Provide a cheaper, smaller, lighter, better-handling and cooler-designed alternative to the R32, A3, WRX and Evo… now you are talking real market opportunity.