MINI “Colorado” SAV Details Emerge
For almost a year now we’ve been talking about the MINI SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle – BMW speak for SUV) being potentially built by automotive consortium Magna Steyr. However in the past few days high-paid men in suits have begun talking officially about the arrangement. It would appear that, since we’ve reported previously, think a slightly larger Clubman but rugged, raised and with some attitude.
The Colorado (don’t worry GM, it’s a code-name only) will also feature an optional “smart” AWD system that is designed for efficiency and improved traction more than performance. The concept was conceived as not quite a traditional SUV but more like a MINI with a go anywhere and do anything attitude. Taking a few cues from the classic MINI rally cars of the past combined with a more extroverted character, the Colorado is being developed with the US market squarely in mind.
One thing that we do know, the Colorado will not be the track day warrior the MINI community has been clamoring for in an AWD model. And don’t expect this model to have a true made in England pedigree either considering the likely Austrian production location. But what we can expect is a connection (albeit somewhat weak) with true Mini heritage and a potentially large (and untapped by MINI) market segment.
According to Automotive News (sub. required), look for Magna Steyr to start MINI SAV production in the latter half of 2010. Expects production to reach 80,000 units annually.
Note: We’ve replaced the photoshop rendering (seen elsewhere on the web) of what the MINI SAV could look like to avoid the confusion some readers would have if they don’t read the entire article. And while the image gave the article a nice backdrop, it’s really nothing more than a guess where as the info above is actually from real sources with real insight. The new image is of an early 70’s Mini Moke brochure cover.
Will there be a Works Rally Team???
“Note: Photo above is simply an artists rendering of what the MINI SAV could look like. Don’t expect the finished product to be close to it in design.”
That is a very GOOD thing!
This latest version is a bit over board. It’s to radical, to arrogant, to Americanized… It doesn’t resemeble a MINI. Your previous article from AutoExpress on the MINI SAV is more what I’d expect in a MINI SAV. It looks like a MINI. It has way more character than this latest, overbearing Americanized version. I’m not slamming American here, though the American cars are way to big and I don’t want to see MINI go down that road for developing something aimed primarly at the US market. The MINI SAV needs to be green-aware, it needs to be effecient as well as it’s needs to be a MINI. In one article, the name MINI MOKE was thrown out there. Now that has a ring to it and definetly says MINI. I’m glad the SAV will be built over seas and not in the US. Here again, not to slam our country, though US auto manufacturers don’t have the quality of work here that the overseas counter parts have.
The rendered picture kinda looks like a squashed FJ cruiser. But I still like it!
The rendering cracks me up. Looks like someone overinflated a clubman. +1 to calling it the MINI Moke, and FWIW, I hope they make a teeny version on the lines of the classic, and call it the ELF!
Thanks for changing the image to a Moke – it’s unguent for sore sclerotics.
As before, I don’t have an objection to a somewhat-Moke-like “SAV” as long as it conforms to “mini”, which after all is a MINI/Mini heritage word, and should carry some respect for that.
Saw a wee Pinz on the road this weekend, and had a chuckle about a mini-4-by as it passed – wouldn’t it be interesting if the military took an interest in the “Colorado”? That’s how a lot of transport designs get pushed along, is the word. I remember seeing a Moke on a New Zealand or Australian navy frigate some years ago as a shore vehicle. Who knows?
Larger than a Clubman? Kind of loosing that “MINI” mystique…? They could always regenerate the “MAXI” (i.e., “Land Crab”) of BMC days!
Oh no. Not another boring model to read about daily!
Bring back the Moke!
Another SUV, just what America needs! While I would not mind a Moke being produced this is not what we are going to see, we are going to see a 3000lbs luxury based soccer mom special.
Very disapointed in Mini and BMW for this development. The fact is I still firmly believe that with a X1 a SUV Mini is useless. Also the fact that they are picking to enter a market that is flooded with small crossover SUV’s. My two biggest conerns are that this will do serious damage to the Mini community, and that unless this is a stellar hit it will lower the quality on the rest of the brand.
“Bigger is now in charge at the Mini corporate offices”
Living in the midwest with snow on the ground a good portion of the year I think this would be cool. Lets wait and see what develops….
my gurls lease will be over right when that thing comes out! Sha bang!
Why is the SAV going to be manufactured in Magna Steyr? If the vehicle is targeted for sale in the US, why not have it built at the BMW plant in Spartanburg, SC. If the X1 is going to be built there, then having both built at the same plant should reduce production costs. Plus all of us yanks would have a local MINI plant to visit. 😀
Lol drove my 67 S through 10 years in Colorado including many trips over the Rockies over the winter. Front wheel drive cars and chains are one of the very best options for snow.
The shame of this is that we are already losing our community somewhat because of the sheer numbers of Mini’s sold. Developing a SUV is going to bring in a large number of drivers that aren’t a part of the community. Producing a SUV is the biggest betrayal to the brand of anything they have ever done.
I for one will never accept a SUV as being a Mini. Give me a striped down minimalistic Moke and I would cheer, however a bloated 3000 lbs luxury soccer mom suv is an horrible idea.
I agree with Jon 100%
“Bring back the Moke” – Good news. You can buy a brand new Moke shell from the manufacturers in Australia,Mini and Moke World of Sydney <a href="http://www.miniandmokeworld.co.au" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.miniandmokeworld.co.au</a> or Minisport.com where you can buy a rolling chassis for 5,000 pounds.
I can’t see the SUV being a “rally” car as such, more of an “off-roader” that is used for suburban soccer mums.
correction to web address;
<a href="http://www.miniandmokeworld.com.au" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.miniandmokeworld.com.au</a>
What is so wrong with making a vehicle that isn’t EXACTLY in line with what was done in the 60s or what’s being done now? Seriously, that’s like saying Ford was wrong for making F-150’s when they started out with only the Model T.
I LOVE my MINI tremendously. But I would love a jacked up Clubman which could be taken offroad for say hiking and camping. When we go to trade in my wife’s car we’re going to give the Clubman serious thought but it would be an easier decision of this SAV were out.
I’m usually anti-SUV unless you truly need an SUV. With the hiking I do and the big dogs we’re planning to get, we’ll need a vehicle with some space and clearance.
Vanwall – yes chances are that you did spy a Moke in the Australian or NZ Navy. More likely the Aussies though as they really took to the little vehicle. A Moke 4-w-d was evaluated by US Forces but canned. Low ground clearance and 10″ wheels were the problem.
All in all I’m tired of second-guessing MINI, who have managed to pull off most everything pretty well with more than adequate attention to proper Mini heritage. Let those smart MINI-designers work things out.
Let me put it this way, R53 bigger, R56 bigger, Clubman bigger, SUV bigger……… Hmmm seeing a trend here
Mini is searching for new bussiness, hey they don’t produce a 1.5 ton truck (new bussiness) or third row seating (new bussinness). This is selling out the soul of Mini in persuit of money, nothing else.
If they want to increase their markets lets try something origonal. Mini was born with coming up with origonal ideas, now what do we see…. a SUV, suprise. How about investing the money in making the R56 even better against its competition, develop a hybrid, develop a class dominating performance car. All of these would draw in new customers.
Dear BMW/Mini hope you got something else for selling the soul of Mini.
News Flash!! MINI does not make cars based on the desires of the “community” but based on a sound business model. If MINI does not make money, the “community” will not have any new product to complain about/buy. In spite of all the whining about the R56, new sales records continue to be set. Speculating about what might be in the pipeline is a useless exercise. Let’s wait and see what appears before we crap all over it. After all, BMW still make pretty good cars, in spite of the fact that they also make SUVs, and while I would not want a BMW SUV, they still sell lots, which gives them the money they need to develop a great M3 or M5 or whatever.
If a small SUV is needed, and I’m not so sure that it is, make it a BMW X1, leave Mini for those of us that enjoy driving small cars with personality. The Clubman should be as big as a Mini gets.
Mini needs to draw on it’s pool of talented designers and engineers to go against current thinking and be truly groundbreaking like the original of 1959
…i still have trouble with all the negative and repetitive comments toward this new vehicle…
…the MINI community i have been a part of is filled with fun, interesting, open-minded people who are also opinionated, passionate, and enthusiastic in regards to cars and in particular, motoring…
…if the ‘community’ you speak of – jon – is as negative, cynical, and closed minded as your posts suggest, then good riddance to the community…
…i for one am already saving $$$ for this ‘colorado’ as it will supplement my MCS and make us a MINI only family…
…and i never plan on driving to soccer practice…
…’not that there’s anything wrong with that’… 🙂
I don’t mind the R56 at all, as matter of fact have been waiting for well over a year for a Factory JCW R56. The Clubman isn’t my cup of tea, but still holds decently true to the Mini history.
I personally think SUV’s are one of the biggest evils ever. They are little more that status symbols of the general belief that bigger is better. There are some people out there that use them for real reasons but Mini devloping this little bloated beast is against everything that Mini was designed for.
<blockquote>I personally think SUV’s are one of the biggest evils ever. They are little more that status symbols of the general belief that bigger is better. There are some people out there that use them for real reasons but Mini devloping this little bloated beast is against everything that Mini was designed for.</blockquote>
I think we all need to take a deep breath here. This is a <em>MINI</em>
we’re talking about here not a Suburban or a Hummer. I expect that even as an SUV this MINI will still be smaller than most <em>CARS</em> (let alone SUVs) on the road here in the USA. Come on, how many other SUVs do you see on the road that are 13 feet long?
Wah Wah Wah…
How is MINI losing their soul by adding a vehicle? Why don’t you guys just go buy a Smart if you are so obsessed with staying small.
And Jon, invest in a spell checker.
The trending towards ever increasing sized cars from Mini makes me shudder. I do hear where your coming from Craig. If a Micro SUV is successful why not a full sized SUV, and lets add third row seating. I have no doubts that it will be small but its only one of a great many micro SUV’s on the road. First Mini is entering this market about 5 years to late, secondly there are much more lucrative markets for them to pursue, such as hybrids.
Hybrids are a band aid on a severe wound. This is why you don’t see large strides in hybrid vehicles. Hybrids are a temporary technology until either hydrogen or another alternative fuel is mainstream.
I will start saving money for the MINI SAV. This will definitely be on my list when the time comes to replace my wife’s “small” SUV. We do use that vehicle for things that a car (e.g., MINI) cant do – just to clarify before getting flamed by Jon 🙂
It will be exciting to follow the development of this little beast.
Not going to flame anybody Volkan. Just have a very serious doubt that this is a direction that Mini should be going. My strong feelings about this are not because I am a mild Mini fan, rather I am a raving Mini fanatic. I strongly believe that this choice of direction is likely to cause the entire brand issues.
Just can say that my personal association with the brand ends the day its released and I will be more than happy to express my view to prospective Mini buyers just like I have been doing for many years.
I completely respect and understand everything Jon is saying. While my association with the brand probably won’t end, my feelings for what BMW has created will certainly be altered to some degree. And in the end it may be a little easier for me to walk away from MINI ownership once this car is on the streets. Who knows.
MINI has a <strong>herculean</strong> task on their hands in designing and engineering this car.
What I want to know is, what does Jon think about the new SAV from MINI?
Are we afraid we’re gonna have a “I, am your father!” moment here? Nobody’s going over to some mythical Dark Side – The Sky Is Not Falling. They’ve played their cards close to their vest so far all along, and MINI hasn’t played those hands badly at all – in fact they’ve been brilliant. It won’t be longer, lower, and wider, or have holes in the side for faking speed. Why assume the worst? – there has been no indication of a miss-step here, only a few overactive imaginations – boys, it’s time someone told you – there’s no monsters under the bed.
What will eventuate as a the MINI 4-By is inevitable, with or without fevered extrapolations from essentially nothing, because in the car company jungle, you adapt or die. If MINI is to stay as a viable long-term possibility, BMW must feel they have to have more than one or two platforms to survive, and they’re probably right. The world has changed from the days of making practically un-changed 2CV’s for eons in what was essentially early Industrial Revolution practices and selling it as a viable car well after its expiration date – even the Mini survived mostly on its cachet alone towards the end. I look forward to future MINI offerings – it’s a good sign the heart is still beating.
…gabe, (and by virtue – jon) i also respect and agree with the argument against the movement towards a ‘larger’ MINI…
…it’s the pessimism that bothers me…
…however, as a man with an eye and respect for design, gabe, i would think that – “MINI has a huge task on their hands in designing and engineering this car.” – would inspire excitement and interest…
…instead this new challenge is met with talk of abandoning the brand…
…besides, wasn’t everyone screaming for an all-wheel drive system???
…maybe this is a way to make it more financially viable for an AWD Coupe down the road…
…more MINIs = more goodness…
Again:<blockquote>think a slightly larger Clubman but rugged, raised and with some attitude.</blockquote>
I SERIOUSLY doubt that you will mistake this vehicle for a Hummer or Suburban, Navigator, or even Element…This is BMW we’re talking about here; They know a thing or two about brand image product placment.
Could it be possible that MINI just might make the neatest little sport-ute ever? We’ll see….
Alas, if you don’t like it, <em>Don’t buy one…</em>
…also, in new markets, always check honda…
…honda (very intelligently i might add) scrapped most of it’s hybrid plans (in lieu of diesel tech) due to the fact that ultimately the hybrid tech is a dead end and does not reduce emissions nearly as much as toyota would like us to think…
…the extra production costs (and therefore increased energy consumption) in the much higher-tech (read: overly complicated) hybrid setup actually negate the improved MPG for the first 7-8 yrs when compared to efficient traditional powerplants…
…in other words, a prius-esque hybid is as energy efficient globally as an H3 over 7-8 years due to the H3s simplified and shared production…
…diesels are the way to go and HCCI gasohol engines, and now BMW is planning to bring their diesels over in the next year…
…MINI can still ‘save it’s soul’ with this SAV if it is small, efficient, and green…
Y’know what? I bet you a steak dinner that most ‘soccer moms’ will find this thing TOO SMALL (“I’ll stick with my Explorer, thank you…”)
Whatever the people at Mini are smoking/snorting/ingesting, I want some. Yet more news about bigger ‘new segment’ models when a considerable number of us spend a significant portion of our day thinking about and waiting for news on WHEN THE BLOODY JCW FACTORY CAR IS GOING TO BE RELEASED?!?! It’s getting to the point where, if I were an egomaniac, I would seriously consider the possibilty that the folk at Mini were toying with me personally. In all seriousness though, they weren’t coy about releasing news on the Clubman and they certainly aren’t being shy in releasing news about the ‘Colorado’, what with it being 2-3 years till it’s release and all. So why in the name of god and Stephen Patrick Morrissey can they not give us some effing concrete information on when EXACTLY we can expect to be able to climb into a JCW factory car.
I do apologise, as most of you could probably tell that had been building up for quite a while. I JUST WANT MY MINI ALREADY!
Jay9s:”Alas, if you don’t like it, Don’t buy one…”
That’s not the point though is it Jay? The point is that other people will buy them and the people who do are the people you specifically wanted to differentiate yourself from when you chose to buy a Mini. The Mini is not just a car, it’s a lifestyle. And I say this regardless of whether you’re a part of the ‘community’ or not. All these arguments about, “more Mini’s can only be a good thing.” Really? I can think of innumerable scenarios in life where more is indeed less and I’m afraid this is one of them. One of the reasons I’m chosing to buy a Mini is precisely because it says both loudly and subtley, “Here I am, I’m small, fast, economical and hell of a lot of fun to drive. No you can’t fit your set of Louis Vuitton luggage and your golden retriever in the back but if you really need a vehicle that can accommodate such needs then there are several car companies out there who will be only too happy to accommodate you.”
Everyone sorry for ranting, this development just has struck at the heart of a vehicle that I am completely fanatical about. Sorry if any my comments felt like a personal attack guys.
I concur MiniMark about the near complete lack of information pretty much to date about the Factory JCW. What has me concerned is that the reason for the very little information this car isn’t going to be that much of a step forward. Maybe the reason they are playing info on it tighter than the SUV is that there really isn’t that much to be said about it that hasn’t been said about the JCW kit. The only question is when they release info on it if it will be a high enough performance Mini to overcome the illness I feel over the SUV.
Hmmm. And here I thought I was buying a car and I could make choices. If I signed on for particular lifestyle, where does that leave me with my Bond Bug? Is it “MINIs must be too big, you can actually fit more than two people in those behemoths.” Or my Classic Minis? Is it “Die BMW MINI owners, you have betrayed Issigonis!!!” Or my 325iT? “Only Beemer owners need ring my doorbell.” Or my Vanagon Westy? “Hey, them funny little mini cars ain’t no good, ya can’t pop the top and sleep four.” To say nothing of my other curious vehicle choices – hell, I’m so mis-conscrewed-up I don’t know which lifestyle to wear in the morning. I guess I’ll just throw out the baby with the bathwater, and walk away from all those other cars and MINI, too, ’cause they chose to make new models that appealed to those “other”, less discerning and deserving folks, who won’t appreciate….my lifestyles. Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot?…
Right you are…But: The Harley is a lifestyle, the Jeep is a lifestyle, all of them ‘under attack’ by image-seekers. Soccer moms have been driving Jeep branded vehicles for years now…OF COURSE, much to the disdain of real Jeepers. Yet, they still jack ’em up, add winches and hit the trails. That is what separates <em>Enthusiasts</em> from <em>Consumers</em>…
More to the point, MINI could make a motorhome for that matter, and I would still love the Cooper regardless.
Great discussion everyone. For my money, this is my favorite comment yet (via gokartride:
>All in all I’m tired of second-guessing MINI, who have managed to pull off most everything pretty well with more than adequate attention to proper Mini heritage. Let those smart MINI-designers work things out.
As much disdain as I have for SUVs on our roads and the very <em>idea</em> of SUVs (not to mention the MINI brand embracing the concept) I’d be loath to not trust Gert Hildebrand and his design team to create something unique, integrated within MINI brand attributes, and right for the marketplace. But it doesn’t mean I can’t be a little nervous about it.
Actually Jay9s you have hit one of the issues on the head that is a little disturbing.
The part I adore about the Mini community is this. It doesn’t matter if your car is a Cooper or Cooper S, a convertible, that its black, purple, white or space blue, we are a community. What I think is likely to happen with the inclusion we are going to see splits in the community. My feeling that this could lead to a lesser form of many manufactures have currently. Lets consider how many Corvette owners consider a Cobalt, a Silverado or HHR to be part of their community. This happens in every brand including BMW’s. To date the Mini community has been a whole, I believe that even the Clubman could cause a little split but I have the feeling that a SUV is likely to damage our community over the long haul.
Having said that guys I will shut up now on this thread .
Ah, perhaps I am too much a free-thinker…It seems to me that however that there is an opportunity here.
Indeed, MINI may be a lifestyle; I think of it more as an IDEOLOGY…I see no reason why that ideology cannot be applied to a sport-ute.
Just for the record, I too am nervous…just as nervous as I was when they restyled the Cooper.
Actually, Jon, I concur…and you are very possibly right. I just think we need to be careful as to where we draw that line in the sand…
If the Colorado were available now, I would have bought one instead of my new R56 MCS. I have an R50 Cooper that will be my autocross / track car. Living in northern Vermont and being a skier / mountain biker, an AWD MINI with more ground clearance would be perfect for me.
There’s as much damage to the “community” being done by people thinking it will damage the community as there would be by a MINI SAV.
The New England area MINI folks have more than a few people who have moved on from their MINIs to a different vehicle. And these people are still “in the community”. The “community” is about people, not cars.
Great discussion, but like has been said, let the MINI designers wow us again. Remember it is an SAV, not an SUV. I don’t see them bringing out a land-barge big enough to fit a football team. But how about a slightly stretched Clubman with 4 real doors, an inch or two more ground clearance, and a bit more cargo room, along with that 4 wheel drive. Think more “Woody Surf Car” and less “Hummer Battle Wagon Troop Carrier”.
<blockquote>Lets consider how many Corvette owners consider a Cobalt, a Silverado or HHR to be part of their community.</blockquote>
I seriously doubt that many Corvette owners consider an HHR owner to be part of their community. On the contrary, the Corvette is a great example of a sub-culture that continues to thrive regardless of what other models the manufacturer spews out.
I think some of you are acting like spoiled children, wanting the entire MINI organization to be dedicated to your small private club. MINI is a corporation and needs to grow, and should enter any market it can successfully compete in. If MINI determines there is a market for MINI bulldozers, yachts and blimps, then why not? A ridiculous example for sure, but the point is that one product line doesn’t necessarily affect another. I don’t believe for an instant that MINI will ever abandon the core values that have given them the phenomenal success of the MINI Cooper, nor do I think that MINI bulldozers or whatever would “corrupt” the MINI Cooper line.
Personally, I think a MINI SAV will be wildly successful because it will have something the other small SUVs don’t have: superior performance, superior handling, superior styling AND off-road capabilities. The market isn’t over-saturated, it’s just very popular, and as a result there are a lot of mundane soulless cookie-cutter SUVs being produced. You won’t be able to lump the MINI SAV in with the RAVs and CRVs and other bland <strong>car</strong>-based SUVs. This will be a <strong>MINI</strong>-based vehicle, and it will stand out from the crowd in its price range. I can’t wait to see it, and I’ll be ready to buy one when they hit the streets.
MINI isn’t going to take your toy away, they’re just going to make a new toy for people who don’t want to drive in circles.
<blockquote>MINI isn’t going to take your toy away, they’re just going to make a new toy for people who don’t want to drive in circles</blockquote>
ROFLMAO
Guess my wish for a MINI two-seater isn’t going to come true any time soon. 🙁
I’m all for keeping MINI, well, mini.
MINI is a lifestyle? You buy a MINI to differentiate yourself from other people? Forgive me for my self confidence but I have never purchased a car to differentiate myself from other people. I bought the MINI because it was small, fast, fun and cool (to me). This is hardly a “lifestyle”. I mean really, what has buying the MINI Cooper (S) done for the way you go through your daily life besides providing transportation. I’m well aware of the community aspect but that’s not special to the MINI brand.
There are currently a large number of MINI owners who do not “fit” within the community. It isn’t as if every MINI owner is part of this tight knit family and now with an SAV we’re going to be invaded by a class of people who don’t belong. It’s just a ridiculous notion. Will there be SAV owners who seem out of place with the “typical” MINI owner? Yes! But there are people like that now with Coopers.
MINI is a brand, not a word. This brand does not live and die by specific measurements of how big a car should be. Size really shouldn’t have anything to do with it despite the name MINI. If they put out a high quality top notch car why does it matter what size it is?
Porsche tractors. That’s a fact. MINI 2-seaters. It could happen.
The sad fact is that SUVs sell in the US right now. And MINI needs to sell product. The market for the current MINI is limited, and they are trying to expand their market share. The underlying business reasons seem sound.
It seems to me that they are targeting Subaru’s audience. Small AWD wagons.
BMW bought this brand how long ago? Almost a decade? They are trying to branch out into areas that Mini never really did. Again, seems like a good goal. Not every product has to have a strong lineage back to the original Morris Minor. Maybe it’s time for MINI to make it’s own mark in the world.
I have no interest in this vehicle personally, but if they can take a “lean & green” appraoach to this – and they can get some Americans to give up on the Hummers and Escalades and Excursions – then more power to ’em…
Did some ask for a MINI Camper Van? Well they already did that with the old one – it was called the Mini Wildgoose – I saw one of these for sale in USA Ebay site about a year ago.
check it out; <a href="http://jalopnik.com/cars/auctions/chasing-the-wildgoose-motor-minihome-178170.php" rel="nofollow ugc">http://jalopnik.com/cars/auctions/chasing-the-wildgoose-motor-minihome-178170.php</a>
I personally find the MINI SAV to be an intriguing vehicle. The idea of a jacked up, AWD, 5 door MINI really tickles my fancy…I can’t quite explain my fascination towards the concept.
This is coming from someone that naturally despises SUVs and anything truckish in both, form and function.
I, for one, believe that MINI is right on the money with this one. BMW is not exactly known for bad business decisions (Well, the 1970’s 320 and the 2002 BMW 7 series are exceptions to that golden rule)so I think the SAV will further unleash all possibilities that MINI has to offers as a brand and a total concept.
A MINI Blimp? Where do I sign up?
Porsche was the only car manufacture that killed the SUV image.
The Mini should really just add AWD to the Clubman and call it a day.
I am not sure it is wise to wait 3 years for another CUV..
4 Doors. Hatch. AWD. <em>Slightly</em> more ground clearance. <em>Just enough</em> room to fit 4 adults in comfort. Big enough boot to hold a <em>modest</em> amount of stuff. Base and S models. Build it, style it right, price it right, size it right, and I’ll buy it in a second and ditch my boring but necessary Honda CR-V–and I would bet a lot of you would too. We’ll see a lot more all-MINI garages, and a few less ugly SUVs and wagons on the road. Nothin’ wrong with that. Get on it MINI, and sign me up for the first one.
Hey Guys,
Great conversation, but after reading this whole thing and it being way to late to give my thougts about what you all have said, I will just comment on the article.
Since I have been a proponent of an AWD MINI from the beginning. All I Have to say is HURRAH!!!!!! I will echo what I have said previously in that I hope that it will be long enough to enter into rallye racing and enough pep to turn those HP sucking AWD running gear and fast enough to compete!!! I want a subie killer!!! If it can’t do that, it will be sad, and maybe even a little pointless, but not enough to keep me from getting one. I am very excited about this development.
My only question is if they are going to build this for the US market, why not build it in the US so as currency exchange won’t be an issue?
Rob, you made some funny comments but I am tired.
Night.
thx
Jumping in a little late – been lurking for a while. There’s a tremendous amount of talk about “the community” here. Yes, it was fun to be driving down the street back in ’03 with my brand new MINI and getting waves and lights, but folks, it’s not happenin’ any more. I flash and wave (maybe it’s the flashing part that’s scaring ’em 🙂 ) and get nothing but deer-in-the-headlights looks in reply. MiniMark – I’m sorry but I’ve got to agree with BrewSwapGuy, I bought the car ’cause I liked it, and the way it drove, not because of any “community”. If the new Colorado fits those criteria (and I’m still breathing), I’ll take a look. If not, I’ll find myself a new ’10 Garbonzo XL to drive.
One last thought – the Moke WAS outrageous, but I kinda don’t think the MINI folks will be looking to IT for inspiration, do you really? I mean, DANG, just think of the lawsuits when little Jimmy takes a header out of one of those “doors”. (My favorite image of the Moke was from R&T, I think — fella picking up the back end and walking it over an 8″ fallen tree in the road)
Jon, go read about all the complaining about the Porsche SUVs before it’s release. And guess what? It’s success is what allows more versions of small volume P cars to be sold.
All the negativism is sorely misplaced, and reeks of resistance to change. Mini better do something to keep growing, or it will die, and we’ll all be left with nothing to buy but the new FIAT 500 or the Ford Ka! While many may say, why not just keep things the way they are, the sad truth is the opportunity cost of the $ spent will make the dollars go elsewhere. Only small production boutique cars can afford to stay in business making X cars per year, with no change.
For those that want more Mini models, instead of complaining about dilution of the brand, you should be rooting for unparralleled success, because that will generate the $ that would make a smaller production two seater, for example, a real posibility.
Matt
Conjecture based on two cars that will someday exist in some form:
X1 = 170 inches long
Clubman based MINI SUV = 156 inches long
X1 = 3400 lb
Clubman based MINI SUV = 3000 lb
MINI SUV = a smaller, cuter, funner, happenener car.
I also don’t see why a performance variant of the MINI suv couldn’t be a serious rallye contender. With the proper suspension set-up, engine and AWD drive-train, a high performance version of this new MINI could compete on the dirt and gravel. hp/lb could be on par with heavier AWD variants out there.
OK I was dead set against a MINI SUV. But if MINI were smart and put a Turbo DIESEL in the SUV that could also be put in the Cooper/Clubman I would be 100% for the SUV idea.
i’ve seen the latest testbed for the mini moke/colorado/crossman, and here’s what i can say.
it will be built by magna steyr.
it certainly looks like a clubman, but on a slightly raised-up suspension.
as far as i know, the engine will still be the PSA-designed 1.6 liter engine, but with all wheel drive instead of front wheel drive.
Mini, just remake the MINI 1000. SUVs are for rednecks and I don’t think redneck is the target audience for this brand. IMOP.. 😛