MINI Crossover Prototype Caught Again
Worldcarfans have some new photos of the MINI SAV that everyone loves to hate argue about. Included is the first look at the interior of the car. However we’d strongly encourage you to not make too many assumptions based on the photo above. It’s clear that this is very much a rough prototype and is simply making use of stock MINI parts to cobble together a functional interior. Look for something different than this and from what is in current MINI range when this car debuts at Frankfurt this fall and goes on sale to the public in 2010.
+ MINI Crossman SUV Interior – Spies Catch a Glimpse / Worldcarfans
<p>window frames?</p>
<p>sometimes i really wonder where they bought that camouflage stickers from… or who thought to use black with yellow spirals..</p>
<p>Nice body roll in some of those shots, I also see the PlaySchool inspired center dash is still in place.</p>
<p>Window frames make sense. No overly complex window dipper needed. Sometimes the best solution is a low tech one.</p>
<p>Completely different door. The latch mechanism has 2 bolts ala BMW not the 3 found in a Mini…attention to detail kids lol</p>
<p>Yep. No hint of the rumored mid-life-cycle refresh in these photos. Shucks.</p>
<p>Well, all I can say is that they certainly have mastered the camouflage treatment. I not only can’t see the car clearly…I don’t even want to look. Makes me queasy!</p>
<p>LOL gokartride…the ultimate way to make someone stop taking pictures…build something they don’t want/need..</p>
<p>Ah the SLUGMAN.</p>
<p>This car is an answer to a question no one has asked.</p>
<p>MF: How about setting up a MINI deathwatch countdown?</p>
<p>Yuk…still not impressed with it….still see no reason for it.</p>
<p>You know it’s near the end of the world when even MINI has to have an SUV/CUV/Crossover, or whatever they are called this week.</p>
<p>That it has a “mule interior” from existing R56 bits makes a lot of sense, much more so than BMW engineers putting the as-yet-unseen mid-cycle refresh R56 interior. Remember that one of the “hard dimensions” of the R60 is the width – significantly wider than the R56. This alone makes it unlikely that they would use identical interior design. Unless the R60 interior design team is composed of 0 personnel, i would expect the interior to demonstrate MINI ‘themes’, but not to be the exact same design as the R56. (e.g., Toggle switches should translate well to a “utility vehicle”, so I would expect that styling element to not only be featured in the R60 but work very well.)</p>
<p>In other words, don’t be so quick to give up on the (much needed) R56 mid-cycle interior refresh. :)</p>
<p>Well it looks like the American consumer still wants their SUVs:
SUVs and Crossovers dominate at the 2009 New York Auto Show: <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30137436/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30137436/</a></p>
<blockquote>This car is an answer to a question no one has asked.</blockquote>
<p>You may want to clean out your ears then. I’ve heard a lot of people asking for 4 doors and a lot of people asking for AWD. Most of these people are not current MINI owners. With this, MINI will put both in the same package. If this allows MINI to stay profitable enough to make the roadster/coupe, I’ll cheer it on.</p>
<p>Hoping that this model offers the fore-aft adjustable sliding rear seats to provide rear seat occupants with more leg room plus a flat rear payload floor area (inclusive of if the rear seats are folded down forward).
Dual suicide doors in lieu of the full rear doors also likely to be an option?</p>
<p>JMills – Or if like myself, could MINI be offering a larger vehicle as a part of life-cycle marketing plus provide the capability for owners to take the MINI over more adventurous terrains?</p>
<p>Personally I have a growing family. As the R53 has limited rear seat legroom and putting the baby in and out is painful, family discussions tend to lean towards selling the R53, however haven’t found a suitable replacement – perhaps until the R60 is released?</p>
<p>While the Clubman was close, I suspect it didn’t offer customers everything that they were looking for in the price bracket. A larger vehicle requires a more powerful powerplant so require the power of at least the Cooper S equivalent without the price tag offered on the Clubman S.</p>
<p>I’m looking forward to the official launch and test driving this vehicle. Each person is respectably different and despite people’s negative comments, I personally thank MINI for taking on the R60 project given the current state of the global economy.</p>
<p>Is it just me or does the front part of it looked like it’s hiding another type of hood/bonnet under the shape we’re believed to be seeing?</p>
<p>I never understood comments regarding “how painful” is to put a baby or small child in the back seat of a R53. Actually, I have found it a lot easier to do than in most 4 door vehicles. My son is a pretty large kid for his age and he has ridden the back of my R53 since he was born.</p>