You’d think the MINI Traveler had already been released for sale with a “test mule package” considering all the photos we’ve seen over the last few months. But alas, these are simply more photos of a hacked together testing prototype similar to those seen previously on MF. So just like the last photos, there shouldn’t be a whole heck of a lot to be surprised about. There are the obvious suicide door(s), the split rear doors, the new roof and the name Chris written below the left vent (which may or may not be some kind of future option). You can take a look below:
[ New MINI Estate Spy Photos ] Worldcarfans (via Jalopnik)
Update You can see a few more at Autobild.de here (via Leftlanenews).
Cool. The test car looks so horribly beaten up.. 😀
Good shots, not sure about the traveler model though. Looks like those alloys are a lite version of the R85 S Spoke!
something about this car just gets me… i think its going to be a huge hit.
the pics do it no justice, trust me…
keeping my mouth shut – drew
An AWD JCW Traveler S would be a perfect garage mate for my 2006 MC.
Interesting pics. Appears to be an ‘S’ model with the rear exhaust pipes exiting on the sides rather than through the center.
I love it. If I needed to haul kids or more gear, I’d be all over a Traveller. With tape up and down both sides, it keeps me hopeful for suicide doors on both sides. Gabe’s “source” says definitive otherwise, but I can still hope. It’s especially neat to see cladding completely across the rear and tape hiding the seam for the barn-style rear doors. Very cool.
First on the list at our dealer, and looking good – Hope they get it here as soon as possible!
BCNU,
Rob in Dago
ya know, it looks like it’s sitting kinda high up, could this possibly mean a more rugged MINI, i.e. AWD?
This will be my next car. I was afraid it was going to have to be a V50 or something like that for me. Maybe I can carry my gear and have my MINI too!
After seeing this and the show cars, it will be interesting to see the different accesories. I also like the Traveler name, I hope BMW can get the rights to it.
What are the names if Traveler is not available? Countryman? Clubman? ….or will they come up with a new one?
Getting the Traveler name will be very difficult.
Still not a fan. Lets leave MINI well, mini.
i see a HUGE sun-roof and an un-supported wing – no middle (3rd) support.
We are #3 at our dealer’s waiting list for the Traveller. We are diggin’ it even more. Kid is on the way and for sure we will need a more “Family oriented” MINI.
For those of you that don’t like it: You don’t have to buy it.
I want to be a cladding designer. That would be a cool job.
The Traveller looks nice, can’t wait to see it on the road.
Whoa! MINI got Back! Paging JLO, somebody took your trunk.
<blockquote>Good shots, not sure about the traveler model though. Looks like those alloys are a lite version of the R85 S Spoke!</blockquote><blockquote>
They are infact the R56 cooperS wheels :-)</blockquote>
ANTS, historically there was always a Mini estate so it’s just BMW following tradition.
I love the idea that when I settle down I won’t have to give up my MINI like my dad had to give up his MG’s.
The wheels also occured to me, could we really be getting the looks of the S-Spokes combined with some lighter weight?
I like the shot from the rear at the German site. Left is a pre-2005 rear light, right is a 2005+ facelift rear light 🙂 I’m sure neither is going to be on the finished car (that cladding on the back is huge, the overhang is made to look a lot bigger).