MotorTrend (of all places) got a little nugget of information from Kay Segler, Mini’s vice president of brand management about the MINI cross-over we’ve been reporting on:
>A Mini official has gone on record as saying that the BMW-owned automaker is interested in adding a crossover vehicle to the brand’s lineup. According to a report in Automotive News Europe, Kay Segler, Mini’s vice president of brand management, would not comment on details but is clearly enthusiastic about the prospect of adding a fourth model to the mix. The Clubman, the third Mini variant after the hatch and convertible, is coming later this year.
There’s nothing inherently ground breaking in this news. MotoringFile has reported for years now that MINI has eyes on a cross-over (soft-roader if you will) type of vehicle. We also broke the news about production locations outside the UK (most like South Carolina or Austria). However it’s always nice to see yet another MINI exec make the rumors more or less official. Expect to hear more concrete product details in the coming months.
Also in this MT articles was a mention of MINI getting BMW’s new start-stop system for manual equipped MINIs. This system was originally mentioned last year as coming technology but a time-table was never set. Expect this system to debut when the R56 is refreshed in a couple of years (if not sooner).
[ Mini considers crossover model, will add stop-start system ] MotoringFile
Must still say that I really dislike the idea of a cross over mini. Seems sad when you look at the recent changes. R56 a bigger car, a Clubman even larger, then suprise suprise a larger mini as well. I have little doubts that it will sell well though in the states as we are adicted to suv’s. I personally believe mini is going down the wrong road, though its likely to be successfull. What I feel uneasy about with a multi brand Mini is that we will see the same things that have plauged many other manufactures. Its not unusaul that one of the types doesnt sell as well as the others, so they draw funds away from the profitable types and you end up with cost saving measures that affect the whole brand.
Guess its time to start saying larger is in charge at Mini. Can say one thing I wave at fellow mini drivers now, but no way I will ever raise my hand to any suv.
I hope it’s not the 4-door beast they picture in the above linked article. MT ran that picture a few months ago as well. Their comment was something to the effect of “at what point does MINI become MAXI?”
Either way, matters little to me. I’d prefer something with better fuel economy, not worse…
I agree with Jon. One of my real concerns about R56 is that it has stretched itself technologically and been sacrificed in terms of quality of materials. If I had known that BMW were planning a Mini brand that covered a wide spectrum of driving experiences I’m not sure I would have invested in mine… part of the (previous) charm of Mini was indeed its size, its character and it absolutely ooozed quality and finish. It seems that all those things may well be doomed.
I honestly hope that MINI doesnt decide to build any four-door cars or a Cross-over, if they do they have unknowingly, but willing signed the papers forfeiting MINIs uniquness. It is like BMW is trying to make MINI into another GM or Toyota where they offer a car for everyone. I agree with everyone they are already drifting to far away from the original concept of a small car which is what MINI is synonomous with. An SUV MINI, that is what will kill MINI’s affiliation with small.
What drew me to the origonal mini and the new mini both is that they are niche cars. I drive down the road and get a serious kick from seeing another mini, I feel a sense of comunity with other Mini drivers. I get the feeling that a suv Mini is going to have an effect on that sense of comunity, not ony myself but to others.
I still will be picking up my future JCW but begining to rethink my long term association with Mini, maybe its time to return to my 69 S.
I like it! Bring on the Moke!
What people seem to forget is that the original Mini came in multiple models, including long wheelbased Travelers and panel vans, pick-up trucks, and even the off-roader Moke. I feel the addition of a couple of new varients would be keeping with the traditions of the classic Mini.
With over one million new MINIs in the field now, we can’t even consider the car rare anymore. I pass four or five MINIs on the way to work every morning and I’m a hundred miles from the nearest dealer. I just can’t understand why someone would buy a mass-production car and then bitch that they are mass-producing them. I welcome the addition of models as long as they still keep references to the heritage and traditions of the classic Minis and MINIs.
I concure that there were a variety of origonal Mini’s. However as an owner of more than a couple origonal Mini’s they were minority of the cars produced. The new Clubman and “Colorado” are going to be anything but niche vehicles. As I stated these two could very well be successfull. Just seems like Mini is moving to ever larger vehicles, which is funny considering they have made a carrer of pointing out moderation, and making fun of larger vehicles only to start down this same path.
The new models would be niches of a niche vehicle, I s’pose. 😉 Beyond the main distribution areas in certain metropolitan areas, MINIs are scarce, so it’s not like a rental fleet on the loose; I can go days without seeing another one, and Dago isn’t without a few out there. I’m not sure I’d like a new Moke to be any larger than a Clubman – it was a pretty minimalist vehicle, and any update should be as open-topped-and-sided as possible.
BCNU,
Rob in Dago
I agree that Mini would be diluting its brand by going for a crossover or a bigger Mini, but I am thinking 5 years from now I will probably have a kid and A wife and if I had to get a bigger car I would want a Mini. Could they be thinking that people in our age (25-35)range will eventually get married and have kids and when they look for a “family car” they will stick with the Mini label. If I were put in a position where I had to get a bigger car I would definitely get a Mini. Oh God! I just realized I would probably have to get an automatic Mini. The Horror! The Horror!
If the “Moke” has a good gas mileage, that thing will sell…
I’ll take the pickup !
I wouldn’t be surprised if the new “soft-ute” simply goes the route of the Subaru Outback or Volvo XC70. Take the Clubman, add an AWD system, slight suspension lift, and some clever bodywork, and you’ve got a brand new model. Have to wait and see, but I’m putting my money on this one.