MINI “Colorado” SUV Spied
Leftlanenews.com has the first photos of the MINI SUV test mule. The test vehicle looks to be built using a raised Clubman indicating some form of all-wheel drive present. Expect the finished product (looking quite a bit different from the Clubman with an identity crisis seen here) to show up around the 2011 model year.
>The car’s exhaust also indicates that this isn’t a standard issue Clumbman S. A typical Clubman S has dual exhaust, something this mule lacks. Instead, the mule has a single exhaust outlet protruding from the left slide. This details also rules out a standard Clubman as its exhaust exits from the right side. The change is exhaust seems to indicate some kind of undercarriage work, possibly to accommodate for all-wheel drive.
You can check out the full range of photos below:
[ MINI Future SUV Spied ] Left Lane News
I’m trying to think how this won’t do damage to the brand. One way is if the Colorado is a seriously competent off-roader.
Also, does the roof look different on that mule?
MINI sure is busy these days …
Not sure if this H-MINI is really necessary though.
Damage the brand? I’d bet most “normal” folk wont be able to tell it’s different than the Clubman.
The shots are a bit blurry, but the exhaust loos like its dropping beneath something large and metallic like a rear differential…wider wheel arches as well.
I can’t wait to see if they’re runing a full-time AWD system or a Haldex system like everyone else.
Give me four proper doors and I’m it’s in the conversation for my next “family-friendly” vehicle. Also, I’d like to see the hatch on the back instead of the double doors a la the Clubperson.
Looks too much like a Clubman, higher up. If they’re going to do that why not give it some beefier wheels, and the look that it could actually make it off the highway without getting stuck?
…just noticed the 5 lug wheels – they look very BMW’ish.
Not bloody likely anything MINI makes will ever be a “competent” off-roader.
Just glanced at some of the comments above.
Remember it’s a test vehicle. Exhaust, wheels, roof and ride height will most likely change for production.
Looks as though there are suspension arms that extend forward, seems they would be necessary for rear drive. They would help to provide a stable forward bite.
A big wheel gap on this will make sense!
They look like BMWs star spoke 105 wheels. But why all the black tape over the clubman bits on the back? And the wheel wells are no wider – there is just more black tape on them.
<blockquote>Ken
Just glanced at some of the comments above.
Remember it’s a test vehicle. Exhaust, wheels, roof and ride height will most likely change for production.
</blockquote>
Obviously a lot will change for production, but the fact that all previous MINI wheels have been 4 lug – this points to the suspension being something very different.
The wheel style looks like ones that have been shown with the 135i cars. Could this also be a test mule for an X1?
Fun ideas…
My god! It’s a behemoth! It’ll need its own zip code! It’s a MINdenburg, bringing down the marque in a shower of flames! Oh, the humanity!
Not.
Vanwall:
I LOL’d. Thanks for that.
is that true, seems like the clubman
Dear BMW:
Please design the drivetrain to allow for an aggressively lowered suspension and allow any body cladding to be easily swapped out for the upcoming Clubman JCW Aero kit.
Thank you,
nuvolari
The funny part is I have less problem with a raised Clubman test mule than I have with a “rugged” looking body kit on a four door over weight micro SUV.
Why did they even bother with the Clubman if this is what’s next?
This is just a test mule not the eventual model. They have just tacked a body, in this case a Clubman onto the new suspension. Don’t expect the final product to look anything like this.
Hey everyone a release model year of 2011?! that’s great news! We have years to bash this idea and provide feedback and hopefully steer this mess towards something that will make a shred of sense to the MINI faithful!
Time will tell…
Give me ground clearance, all-wheel drive, with Ltd. Slip F&R, DSC, hill descent, 200+ HP, decent interior volume with seating for 5, and MINI style and panache and I’ll buy two.
I just don’t get it. If you want an SUV, go buy a Jeep. It’s a shame that market demand is turning every single auto marque into an SUV company. Is there any brand sold in the US that doesn’t have an SUV?
30 years ago, if I had said that Cadillac, Lincoln, Porsche, BMW, Volvo – etc – would be selling TRUCKS, no one in their right mind would have taken me seriously. Sigh…
LOOKS LIKE THE CLUBMAN TO ME????
wouldn’t surprise me if it had some 325xi underpinnings hiding under there, especially given the 5 lug wheels.
it certainly looks like there could be a rear diff. in the back there.