As usual, Auto Express has it’s own info apart from the rest of the automotive world. And if history is any indication, I wouldn’t put too much faith in either the words or the pictures in the article. But it certainly does make for a good read. Do you think there’s a correlation between that and selling weekly magazines?
>MINI is set to head into uncharted territory in 2009 with an off-road evolution of its supermini – tipped to be badged the Monte. Based on the recently launched Clubman, the newcomer is described by company insiders as a sports activity vehicle, and it has been pencilled in to make its world debut at the Paris Motor Show next September.
>While it’s front-wheel drive only, the car will sport a series of modifications to adapt it to the rough stuff. As well as offering tall suspension, the Monte will be fitted with a tough off-road bodykit, and will also be the first MINI ever to be fitted with five doors – a feature that’s likely to have an enormous impact on the model’s practicality. Engine details are still scarce, but a source told Auto Express that the car will be available with a choice of 1.6-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel units. Meanwhile, prices are expected to start at around £2,000 more than the Clubman.
Truck over to Auto Express to check out the rest:
[ MINI SUV ] Auto Express
<blockquote>A larger diesel powerplant is also under review</blockquote>
Please, please, please, make sure this one that can/will be sold in the U.S.
Blah!
Mmm, the Countryman has a better speedo and aux dials than my new MINI!!!
Gee, named after a sandwich, how cool is that? 😉 Can’t get 4-doors like on the mock-up – same problem with the gas-cap location, I would think, altho the mock-up isn’t their rendering, so that’s a plus if we’re tracking batting averages. Still don’t want to see some Audi-looking gaping maw in front – less is more, boys.
Auto Express must be smoking something good. It is highly unlikely MINI will launch 3 new models in the same year. As it is we have the Clubman in February and the new convertibles in the fall next year(USA timing). If there were a third new release I would expect that there would have been some hard evidence of it in the form of spy shots.
Just a thought – who would waste the off-road expertise of Steyr if they were making only a front-wheel drive? Not logical.
Huh! I thought the Audi had a Mini-like gaping maw…
Still sad to see Mini/BMW turning its back on its community just to grab a little more market share. They are trying hard to establish new bussines but largely ignoring the fact that many in its current community disagree with this development.
Guessing this means Mini is happy to lose some of its community for sake of a few more dollars.
ding ding ding ding! We have a winner! Prize awarded for the most closeminded, shortsighted, and just “ig no rant” quote on the page.
<blockquote>Jon Oct 11th, 2007 Link
Still sad to see Mini/BMW turning its back on its community just to grab a little more market share. They are trying hard to establish new bussines but largely ignoring the fact that many in its current community disagree with this development.
Guessing this means Mini is happy to lose some of its community for sake of a few more dollars.</blockquote>
I don’t rememember MINI saying they are going to discontinue the regular MINI so how are they turning there backs on the community? Why shouldn’t they expand?
I know what will make the naysayers happy. Announce a JCW version of it.
If you wnat to dictate what MINI should do with it’s brand perhaps you should apply for a job with it’s developement team.
Jon, it is getting a little old with all the rants. This is just like some in the Classic Mini crowd who are rabidly against the New MINI. Just because you have absolutely no interest in a MINI SAV or Clubman doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy the coupe. As it has been said here repeatedly before, If you don’t like one then DON’T BUY ONE!
Few car companies that only offer one or two models survive for that long. Having additional MINI models will only help keep MINI a viable business proposition for BMW and might even lead to more dealerships in the States. Overall, unless they produce a real turd of a SAV, I can only see it as helping secure the future of the mark.
I do not like SUVs, but if MINI were to make one, and it looked like the mock-up in this article, I might consider it. I think it looks pretty good. Of course, it is only a rendering of what someone thinks it might look like, but in any case, I think we should all wait and see what develops before we jump all over MINI. As I have said before, MINI does not build cars for the “community”, whatever that is, and their plan seems to be working just fine. I am very happy with my R56, my 3rd MINI, and it is by far the best yet, so I eagerly await the future to see what MINI might have to offer. I agree with TSizemore3, if you don’t like a particular car, don’t buy it. Those of us who do buy it will likely enjoy it, thank you very much!
Just adding a viewpoint TSizemore3, not asking for you or any others to adopt it. Just feel that developing a US diesel/hybrid or one of many other paths that could allow the brand to expand while maintaining its pedigree. I feel that a luxury micro SUV is predictable and bland. If you want to sell a lot of Mini’s I have no problems with that. I just happen to believe that its the wrong choice and that its going to do some very negative things to the brand, the community, and the future reputation of the brand.
…MINI hybrid would be pointless…
…goes against maximum use of minimum space ideology…
…MINI cannot change stupid US rules re: diesel emissions in small cars…
…stop criticizing MINI so shortsightedly, write your congressman or congresswoman instead…
…MINI = good…
…diesel = good…
…MINI + diesel + SAV = superawesomegood…
…MINI coupe = best…
One thing is for sure, my personal view will not sway Mini from this development. I just hope that what I clearly see for the future of the brand doesn’t come true. I think Mini could use the money they are investing on this project to develop a unique concept to the market not unlike BMW/Mini did in 2001. A SUV is a comfortable and otherwise safe choice. I would have much preferred to see them invest this money into making a US diesel that can run on bio-diesel and engineer something that not only competes with hybrids but sets records.
I think some of you are forgetting about the golden rule of successful relationships…. And that is called “respect” for views and opinions that do not necessarily coincide with ours.
There is no need to resort to name calling. I can see where Jon is coming and how passionate he feels about the cars. Unfortunately in the fiercely competitive car business, automakers are left with very little choices in order to remain competitive and profitable.
Let’s all work here to find common ground. This community has experienced enough open sores as of late and certainly there is no need to perpetuate that.
Spectre is right, and MINI is working from a sound business model. It may not be apparent to a lot of us, but the market is quietly moving away from large SUVs, down to smaller more fuel-efficient SUV and SAV models. For example, the Honda’s CR-V has now passed the Ford Explorer as the best-selling SUV in the U.S. That should tell us all that MINI is on the right track.
BMW appears to have learned from the Rover disaster and has done quite well with stewardship of the Rolls Royce and Mini brands. In addition, BMW has shown with the Mini that there is a viable world-wide market for a small premium FWD car (bespoke no less.
I think it is human nature to “freeze” a brand and define it narrowly because that may have been the reason we were initially drawn to it. To see it grow makes some uncomfortable.
Mini is not going to make a 5000lb SUV or a 400HP sport coupe, or a Mini Rolls Royce competitor. It’s a smart thing for the BMW group to find niches which leverage existing platforms, expand the brand, but are uniquely Mini in character and function.
BTW:
<a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2007/10/11/auto-express-report-on-the-mini-sav/#comment-169551" rel="ugc">https://www.motoringfile.com/2007/10/11/auto-express-report-on-the-mini-sav/#comment-169551</a>
I think these U.S. controls around diesel emissions are a way to “protect” U.S. manufacturers from losing a market in which we have no expertise.
When GM needs a diesel engine to be competitive in Europe, they go to VM Motori based in Italy
When GM needs a diesel engine to be competitive in the U.S., they go to Isuzu
Peugot is a big player in the small engine market and unless U.S. manufacturers can establish joint ventures with them (VW Motori, Peugot, etc.), there will probably be no large volume small diesel production for US cars.
The once “Big Three” auto manufacturers ignored the diesel market for so long, that it appears to be shut out unless a partnership with a foreign engine manufacturer can be found.
Jcw Mcs and a Mini Moke…thats pimp! Best of both worlds!
<p>Is there a way to recieve a review of this?</p>