Comments on: Behind the Beachcomber: An Insiders Look at MINI’s Latest Concept http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/ 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: BOBBI-LOU http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-287556 BOBBI-LOU Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:54:36 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-287556 <p>Looks like a souped-up Toyota Rav...disappointing. They need to go back to a Moke look. Thumbs down.</p> Looks like a souped-up Toyota Rav…disappointing. They need to go back to a Moke look. Thumbs down.

]]> By: JonPD http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-286485 JonPD Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:26:57 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-286485 <p>Rather odd Bill but to me the hood looks like many other Mom mobiles. Should be fun to watch how many R60s are parked around the local soccer fields and rushing to pick up the tykes at school. That is along as they only need the four seats.</p> Rather odd Bill but to me the hood looks like many other Mom mobiles. Should be fun to watch how many R60s are parked around the local soccer fields and rushing to pick up the tykes at school. That is along as they only need the four seats.

]]> By: Bill Zalenski http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-286414 Bill Zalenski Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:02:59 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-286414 <p>I will like it if it looks like the concept (but more practical obviously)... love the hood and trim treatments, please keep those in MINI, dont let t get released looking like a mom-mobile.</p> I will like it if it looks like the concept (but more practical obviously)… love the hood and trim treatments, please keep those in MINI, dont let t get released looking like a mom-mobile.

]]> By: Malcolm Pace http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-286374 Malcolm Pace Sun, 20 Dec 2009 11:11:05 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-286374 <p>i wounder if it will have the "cold start" problem… as my R56 at the moment</p> i wounder if it will have the “cold start” problem… as my R56 at the moment

]]> By: JonPD http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-286339 JonPD Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:20:51 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-286339 <p>I already have a Mini with a plug in rack that allows me to transport my bikes and snow gear. I also have had my fwd Mini to slopes at times I have driven by more than a few stranded and crashed awd cars and suvs. Also with the rear hatch open I have put on snow gear while sitting on under the hatch.</p> <p>Personally the thing that makes me laugh so much is with the frenzy of people buying awd vehicles the general work history I have with a large percentage of people driving these stay hidden in their homes anytime a little precipitation falls from the sky. The false sense of security with awd cars makes me laugh even more than the people who buy a pickup truck and keeps it polished and in agony putting anything into the bed so they don't scratch anything.</p> <p>With Mini giving their current models away at 0.9% financing and just hearing a local dealer paying the first 3 months of payments on convertibles. I think the development money used for the R60 should have been spent making their prime product to improve it to a place that they can use this down market to hone their products to come out of this recession with a decisive lead once again. Instead I can see a point with some very strong competition coming to the US that Mini's prime product with be a SUV.</p> I already have a Mini with a plug in rack that allows me to transport my bikes and snow gear. I also have had my fwd Mini to slopes at times I have driven by more than a few stranded and crashed awd cars and suvs. Also with the rear hatch open I have put on snow gear while sitting on under the hatch.

Personally the thing that makes me laugh so much is with the frenzy of people buying awd vehicles the general work history I have with a large percentage of people driving these stay hidden in their homes anytime a little precipitation falls from the sky. The false sense of security with awd cars makes me laugh even more than the people who buy a pickup truck and keeps it polished and in agony putting anything into the bed so they don’t scratch anything.

With Mini giving their current models away at 0.9% financing and just hearing a local dealer paying the first 3 months of payments on convertibles. I think the development money used for the R60 should have been spent making their prime product to improve it to a place that they can use this down market to hone their products to come out of this recession with a decisive lead once again. Instead I can see a point with some very strong competition coming to the US that Mini’s prime product with be a SUV.

]]> By: Mini Monger http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-286329 Mini Monger Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:57:11 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-286329 <p>This is exactly what I've been waiting for. A small AWD runabout that should get somewhat decent gas milage and hopefully a hoot to drive.</p> <p>Hope Mini will have some sort of rear plug in rack for my Bikes and Snowboard. One that articulates out of the way with some sort of rear bumper ledge folds down to create a seat so i can put on my snow gear while sitting down.</p> This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for. A small AWD runabout that should get somewhat decent gas milage and hopefully a hoot to drive.

Hope Mini will have some sort of rear plug in rack for my Bikes and Snowboard. One that articulates out of the way with some sort of rear bumper ledge folds down to create a seat so i can put on my snow gear while sitting down.

]]> By: Matt McDougall http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-286140 Matt McDougall Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:29:20 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-286140 <p>From the post: "The lights are spot on carry overs from production. However the bumpers and cladding on the renderings and images are new and will not be seen on the R60."</p> <p>Fair enough. What about the hood? I'm liking the Beachcomber's front end a lot more than last year's crossover concept, and the lights/hood have a ton to do with that.</p> From the post: “The lights are spot on carry overs from production. However the bumpers and cladding on the renderings and images are new and will not be seen on the R60.”

Fair enough. What about the hood? I’m liking the Beachcomber’s front end a lot more than last year’s crossover concept, and the lights/hood have a ton to do with that.

]]> By: Matt McDougall http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-286139 Matt McDougall Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:25:41 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-286139 <p>@Dr Obnxs</p> <p>"Seems that they are pushing in to smaller and smaller niches, with more and more questionable returns on investment."</p> <p>Not sure I see what you mean. The production R60 is going to probably be the least niche vehicle Mini has ever built. The four full doors alone will assure that. People laughed at the idea of a four-door Wrangler, but it handily outsells the two-door because it's a lot more functional for a lot more people. I have a feeling the same will be the case for the Countryman.</p> @Dr Obnxs

“Seems that they are pushing in to smaller and smaller niches, with more and more questionable returns on investment.”

Not sure I see what you mean. The production R60 is going to probably be the least niche vehicle Mini has ever built. The four full doors alone will assure that. People laughed at the idea of a four-door Wrangler, but it handily outsells the two-door because it’s a lot more functional for a lot more people. I have a feeling the same will be the case for the Countryman.

]]> By: JonPD http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-286122 JonPD Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:17:49 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-286122 <p>Hardisan as for the R60 being unique offering against its competition I would love to see the "like its groups" vision of how the R60 is a unique offering. It seems to me what we have there is a slightly smaller four door, four seat awd SUV/CUV. I very much agree with what Matt says, because to me this seems like a niche within a niche too.</p> <p>Guess I would have just been much happier to see Mini invest the money to bring their prime product forward. It seems like a very long time since the Mini brand has been covered in a lot of articles when it comes down to best hatchbacks and hot hatches. The way I see it BMW/MINI has been rather complacent with its bread and butter product allowing stronger competition. The performance of the Mini is not really all that special anymore on with driving dynamics or fuel efficiency.</p> Hardisan as for the R60 being unique offering against its competition I would love to see the “like its groups” vision of how the R60 is a unique offering. It seems to me what we have there is a slightly smaller four door, four seat awd SUV/CUV. I very much agree with what Matt says, because to me this seems like a niche within a niche too.

Guess I would have just been much happier to see Mini invest the money to bring their prime product forward. It seems like a very long time since the Mini brand has been covered in a lot of articles when it comes down to best hatchbacks and hot hatches. The way I see it BMW/MINI has been rather complacent with its bread and butter product allowing stronger competition. The performance of the Mini is not really all that special anymore on with driving dynamics or fuel efficiency.

]]> By: Chris http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-286091 Chris Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:41:56 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-286091 <p>"The rally car will be built by the famed British racing company Prodrive making its debut sometime early this year."</p> <p>NEXT year surely..............</p> <p>Will keep an eye out for these, Prodrive are only just down the road............ ;-)</p> “The rally car will be built by the famed British racing company Prodrive making its debut sometime early this year.”

NEXT year surely…………..

Will keep an eye out for these, Prodrive are only just down the road………… ;-)

]]> By: Dr Obnxs http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-286027 Dr Obnxs Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:26:38 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-286027 <p>This is a show car, yes, but I keep wondering about the Mini financial model. Seems that they are pushing in to smaller and smaller niches, with more and more questionable returns on investment. If it's going to be profitable, it's got to either be slight variations on a very similar theme, or very expensive because of low unit numbers. Neither one seems like a long term winning strategy.</p> <p>Matt</p> This is a show car, yes, but I keep wondering about the Mini financial model. Seems that they are pushing in to smaller and smaller niches, with more and more questionable returns on investment. If it’s going to be profitable, it’s got to either be slight variations on a very similar theme, or very expensive because of low unit numbers. Neither one seems like a long term winning strategy.

Matt

]]> By: goat http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-286025 goat Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:05:49 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-286025 <p>Been in the field this week so catching up with MINI news and this is a great "reveal" to come home to! I am no fan of SUVs either, and worried muchly about the R60, but what I see hinted at here I am very impressed by.</p> <p>The vehicle is tall and wide but at least it will be shortest and thus smallest footprint in class. With manual tranny, good hp, and AWD this could be quite the backroad stormer after all!</p> <p>As JonPD and others above note, the concept's grill is rather hideous but we have now been assured the Countryman will feature a much better front clip. As for the interior - looks a significant improvement over the R56 centre stack mainly mainly due to less Tyco-grade silver plastic, a welcome sight. Glad MINI has been listening even if it will be 4 years before they acted to sort the interior quality.</p> <p>Overall, looking forward to the production R60 reveal and especially to MINI entering WRC!!</p> Been in the field this week so catching up with MINI news and this is a great “reveal” to come home to! I am no fan of SUVs either, and worried muchly about the R60, but what I see hinted at here I am very impressed by.

The vehicle is tall and wide but at least it will be shortest and thus smallest footprint in class. With manual tranny, good hp, and AWD this could be quite the backroad stormer after all!

As JonPD and others above note, the concept’s grill is rather hideous but we have now been assured the Countryman will feature a much better front clip. As for the interior – looks a significant improvement over the R56 centre stack mainly mainly due to less Tyco-grade silver plastic, a welcome sight. Glad MINI has been listening even if it will be 4 years before they acted to sort the interior quality.

Overall, looking forward to the production R60 reveal and especially to MINI entering WRC!!

]]> By: Hoover http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-286010 Hoover Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:33:33 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-286010 <p>@Josh Hway: "C4" was a former MotoringFile commentator, who often posted comments similar to yours. C4 and JonPD were not shy about their opposition to the R60, and repeating and sharing that message at every opportunity to the point that it became quite tiresome. JonPD, to his credit, has toned things down, and is a regular and thoughtful contributor to the MotoringFile community. C4 was obnoxious, and offensive. You are not like that...not even close. But the tone of your postings thus far made me think, "Oh no, here we go again." There is a fine line between constructive criticism and just pure negativity. I don't think we should police the comments, because that line is subjective.</p> @Josh Hway: “C4″ was a former MotoringFile commentator, who often posted comments similar to yours. C4 and JonPD were not shy about their opposition to the R60, and repeating and sharing that message at every opportunity to the point that it became quite tiresome. JonPD, to his credit, has toned things down, and is a regular and thoughtful contributor to the MotoringFile community. C4 was obnoxious, and offensive. You are not like that…not even close. But the tone of your postings thus far made me think, “Oh no, here we go again.” There is a fine line between constructive criticism and just pure negativity. I don’t think we should police the comments, because that line is subjective.

]]> By: dr http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-285984 dr Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:10:48 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-285984 <p>Regarding the center stack: Everybody sing with me....</p> <p>MIC..KEY MOUSE....MICKY MOUSE...lalalala</p> <p>Seriously though, I have never been an R56 stack hater....but based on those r56 complaints I fail to see why this stack is so much different than before.</p> <p>Dinner plate speedo.....check Ugly without nav opt....check poor hvac/radio controls....check</p> Regarding the center stack: Everybody sing with me….

MIC..KEY MOUSE….MICKY MOUSE…lalalala

Seriously though, I have never been an R56 stack hater….but based on those r56 complaints I fail to see why this stack is so much different than before.

Dinner plate speedo…..check Ugly without nav opt….check poor hvac/radio controls….check

]]> By: KPH http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-285982 KPH Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:57:12 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-285982 <p>If anything the Dune buggy does give us a solid peek at the R60. I'm coming around on that design now. Otherwise it's a niche withing a niche. Although if one thinks about some Jeep products maybe not. Give the buggy a low range tranny (yet more $) and we could be pleasantly surprised.</p> If anything the Dune buggy does give us a solid peek at the R60. I’m coming around on that design now. Otherwise it’s a niche withing a niche. Although if one thinks about some Jeep products maybe not. Give the buggy a low range tranny (yet more $) and we could be pleasantly surprised.

]]> By: DUDE! http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-285963 DUDE! Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:53:32 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-285963 <p>@Not sure when you looked but it’s there now. May have been a Wordpress cache issue.</p> <p>Yup it's there now. When I tried the "Read More..." link it said page not found, now OK.</p> @Not sure when you looked but it’s there now. May have been a WordPress cache issue.

Yup it’s there now. When I tried the “Read More…” link it said page not found, now OK.

]]> By: hardingsan http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-285957 hardingsan Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:07:43 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-285957 <p>johnPD - i can't help you with that one i guess; other than to say that i don't see this as MINI being that mainstream. at the end of the day i think you have something along the lines of a vw tiguran or gti. as much as MINI strives to be in every driveway i don't see them leaving the niche market too far behind; the product designers will ensure that they stand out to other people and the engineers with ensure that they stand out above the competition. (i hope, at least...)</p> johnPD – i can’t help you with that one i guess; other than to say that i don’t see this as MINI being that mainstream. at the end of the day i think you have something along the lines of a vw tiguran or gti. as much as MINI strives to be in every driveway i don’t see them leaving the niche market too far behind; the product designers will ensure that they stand out to other people and the engineers with ensure that they stand out above the competition. (i hope, at least…)

]]> By: cct1 http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-285953 cct1 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:34:39 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-285953 <p>So when did BMW start building Kia's?</p> <p>Missed that announcement somewhere...</p> So when did BMW start building Kia’s?

Missed that announcement somewhere…

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-285949 Gabe Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:55:12 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-285949 <blockquote> <p>I wonder what happened to this post I got through my RSS feed… “Mercedes & BMW to Merge Vehicle Processing in the US”… ?</p> </blockquote> <p>Not sure when you looked but it's there now. May have been a Wordpress cache issue.</p>

I wonder what happened to this post I got through my RSS feed… “Mercedes & BMW to Merge Vehicle Processing in the US”… ?

Not sure when you looked but it’s there now. May have been a WordPress cache issue.

]]> By: JonPD http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/12/16/behind-the-beachcomber-what-were-really-seeing-with-minis-new-concept/comment-page-1/#comment-285948 JonPD Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:53:05 +0000 http://www.motoringfile.com/?p=10660#comment-285948 <p>SUVs are less about a physical side than a pandering to the worse of human nature. I have no issues with MINI developing a four door car or even awd but taking down the path of predictable and common. I still do look forward to seeing the end product for the design language but the concept of MINI competing with Honda makes me sick.</p> SUVs are less about a physical side than a pandering to the worse of human nature. I have no issues with MINI developing a four door car or even awd but taking down the path of predictable and common. I still do look forward to seeing the end product for the design language but the concept of MINI competing with Honda makes me sick.

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