Mar 23rd, 2011
AutoExpress had a chance to speak with Ian Robertson, Director of BMW Marketing and Sales, at the Geneva Motor Show this year. One of their questions asked if two of MINI’s more outlandish concepts — the Rocketman and the Beachcomber — might ever see the light of day. For those hoping for a Beachcomber, what Mr. Robertson had to say may be relevant to your interests. continued →
Jan 6th, 2011
While the Beachcomber Concept will be on display at NAIAS in Detroit this year, sources say it’s not going to make it to production over safety concerns. Even though the design does utilize a hip-level side impact bar, additional side and top bracing would be necessary for the car to be deemed safe for the open road. Sources at MINI are saying that rather than compromise the open air experience of the Beachcomber aesthetic with a bunch of tacked-on reinforcements, they will simply pass on this particular MINI variant going into production. While this is disappointing, the practical concerns make sense and if nothing else, the Beachcomber Concept was a fun creative exercise for the MINI Design Team. Perhaps something similar will emerge in the future to carry on the Moke mojo.
Oct 24th, 2010
So MINI has a decision to make. In order to leverage the Countryman platform, they’re considering green-lighting either the MINI Beachcomber concept (seen last year in Detroit) or a two (or four) door coupe version of the Countryman (internally known as the Canyon). While they may end up making both, there’s a good chance that there will be just one produced at the Magna Steyr plant where the Countryman is currently made. So our question to you; which one do you want.
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Oct 18th, 2010
UK auto magazine Autocar is reporting that MINI is very seriously considering several variants on the MINI Countryman. Old news to MotoringFile readers but there are a few interesting tidbits. Most notably that an upcoming Moke (aka Beachcomber) variant would include a pair of rear-hinged “suicide” doors similar to the Honda Element. While the Moke would likely follow the Beachcomber’s higher stance and off road persona, real that back in for a road car and what have you got? Autocar seems to believe you’ve got the next Clubman. continued →
Sep 2nd, 2010
A couple of months ago we told you about MINI potentially building a three door Countryman variant. Then some of the major press picked up the details of the project. This week even more picked up the story and ran with a few new details from the always quotable Scott26. continued →
Jul 24th, 2010
A few weeks ago we broke the news on MINI’s proposed three door variant of the Countryman (then last week the rest of the automotive world picked up on it). The car would use a shortened Countryman platform but shorter for less weight and greater performance. Yet the all wheel drive and the semi off-road ability will be maintained (as will the higher ride height). continued →
Jul 11th, 2010
Scott26 (or whatever name he’s going by today) has long been a great source of information for BMW fans. He works for the company and has insider information that is often on target years before a new model is launched. So that makes this new rumor Scott27 rumor all the more interesting to MINI fans.
As we have reported last May MINI is seriously considering putting a version of the Beachcomber into production in the coming years. But what form will it take? That’s where we pick up Scott27′s latest insider information. But one quick caveat before we get to that. The following is his opinion and not ours. While it seems very plausible (and we hope it’s correct) we know first hand how quickly product decisions can be made and then reversed. Now we turn it over to Scott27:
With the expansion set to continue with MINI we are looking at alternatives to widen out the MINI Brand with a new model expansion that will be inherited with the Countryman and the next generation MINI.
The beachcomber Concept was an idea to officially preview the Countryman in light of the MINI Crossover Concept.
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