Spy Photographers Catch MINI SUV Test Mule
With the MINI SUV less than two years away from it’s on-sale date, development is picking up at a rapid pace. While MINI Design is busy crafting overall look of the car, engineers are beginning the process of road testing the initial test mules. What we see above is likely the most mechanically complete test vehicle BMW has produced to date. Covered in a crude steel skin, the tester’s only purpose is to allow engineers to gather data on the drivetrain and suspension components and hone them for production.
The previous test mule we’ve seen in and around Munich was heavily based on Clubman and featured only certain components destined for the new SUV. What we see above (despite appearances) is probably much further along the development cycle.
The photos here (and published on both Jalopnik and Leftlanenews (the latter being where these come from) are the first evidence that MINI has fully designed and built (at least in prototype form) the suspension and drivetrain for what looks to be the MINI SUV or R60. As we reported a few weeks back, the R60 (as it’s internally code-named) will be feature major portions of the current R55 up front along with some key X1 (the forth-coming small BMW SUV) components in the rear. Looking closely at the second photo we can clearly see a version of MINI’s current z-link rear suspension along with a black plastic flap almost certainly covering up the secrets of MINI’s new AWD system. A system which will be exclusive to the R60 and not seen on other MINI models.
You can check out further photos below:
[ Weirdest MINI Mule Ever ] Jalopnik.com
[ Mystery MINI Mule Spied ] Leftlanenews.com
[ Section: Spy Shots/Renderings ] WindingRoad.com
I like the center caps. BMW.
I’d be happy just to have that seat.
One of the nicest looks I’ve seen! Brinks maybe?
I like the column down the center of the windshield myself…
damn theyre really keeping this thing under wraps.
at least the other test mules looked somewhat like mini’s
Good to see MINI sticking to tradition from what looks like the Mini Moke heritage. Looking forward to seeing the refined product.
>Good to see MINI sticking to tradition from what looks like the Mini Moke heritage. Looking forward to seeing the refined product.
The finished product won’t look anything like what you see above. This is a test mule.
Just a body on the future drive train, not anything closer or further away from the future actual vehicle. Its just a mule.
First all the grief about the rear doors blocking vision in the Clubman, the press will chew them up and spit them out with that split front windscreen…
yes, i’m joking
Get a load of those little trick tuner mirrors!
And the trailer has an old set of BMW wheels on it.
>And the trailer has an old set of BMW wheels on it.
Yeah that’s my favorite part of this entire story. Apparently BMW/MINI engineers do have a sense of humor.
awesome! looks like a tiny baby companion to the similarly weird-looking x5 test mule
Looks like they finally canned Chris Bangle! 😉
The testing must not be going so good if they had to call road side service already.
It’s even in Hummer yellow!
Kind of reminds me of the Pontiac Aztek. Nice…
This is one of the ugliest hides I’ve seen yet on a test mule.
Still kinda funny that Mini is developing a micro crossover SUV after a lot of manufactures and it seems that bringing the Mini D to the states is on the back burner, so by the time they get it in the states it will be years behind other manufacturers again. Sure am hoping I am wrong but seems to be the case.
Why is the front and rear disguised?
Man… it looks like our SWAT APC!!!
Where are the firing ports?
Nice! This should be called the MINI Baghdad assault vehicle….
My first thought was that they could leave the panels the way they are and sell the design to VW for a “New Thing!”
a more cohesive design than the R56…..
So, this is the direction MINI’s going-taking on Hummer…?
It looks kinda like the car from <a href="http://users.eastlink.ca/~epeters/condorman_5.jpg" rel="nofollow">Condorman.</a>
Hafta hand it to the MINI-disguise folks this time…I think they’ve outdone themselves! So glad they took the trouble black-out the front end, I might have guessed what it was!!!
I’ve always wondered if when they are testing things like the drivetrain and suspension, if the size of the car and weight of it makes a big difference. For example, when they are testing this big metal boxy looking thing with a different weight and aerodynamics than the real R60, wouldn’t the test results be different than when you put these components into the actual bodyshell?
Speedlines on the doors… Nice! It also looks like it has a full rollcage. Any word on when this color of Yellow will be in production?
Heh I wouldn’t set around waiting for anything looking even vaugly like this or for this color. Its just a test mule. This is a fairly typical development for BMW, there is a lot of testing to do on any production vehicle, of course some of it you want the actual body and equipment but a lot of the testing can be done with a mule. I am guessing we are still several months away from seeing the first shots of the highly disguised body.
Some people can’t recognise humor or sarcasm when they read it.
<blockquote> It’s just a mule! It won’t look anything like that!</blockquote>
Thanks for informing us gullible folks.
Darn, I thought that this was the final design. Killjoy.