A Close Look at the 2010 MINI Crossover
Partially based on the Clubman and the upcoming BMW X1 (five lug wheels and all), the new MINI Crossover will boast one feature never seen before on a production MINI; all-wheel drive. And now we have an exclusive first look at the system – perhaps the only thing in the photos that will remain relatively unchanged for production. Along with that we also have a few shots of the car while undergoing various drivetrain testing.
In the photos we see the same Clubman based mule that has been spotted around Munich for over six months now. But don’t let that fool you. While the final shape of the crossover may be similar to the Clubman, the vehicle will ultimately be slightly larger, taller and wider. It will boast a number of new styling details and (most importantly) two full size rear doors.
Click on each photo for a larger view.
All I am going to say is that I am extremely interested in this vehicle.
An “additional two rear doors”? Compared to the Clubman? That’s unpossible. 😉
Perhaps someone should clean up that sentence so it’s not quite so confusing.
I’m really curious as to the design direction this will take. I’m hoping for something tastefully aggressive. Since it’s going to be on a 1-series chassis, what powerplant is expected?
Yessssssss! It sound like this might be the real deal. Time will tell.
It’ll be interesting to hear how it will be different from the X1 — location of speedo? is that all?
Is this any tell that the cooper might be getting all wheel drive in the next generation…. I mean it would be better for us in performance, and better for them if all MINI’s where built on the same chasi???
Did you guys see the R57 convertible on the background of pic #1?
oooOOOOOooooo C4’s got that one! the back of that one pic is the R57 MCS Convertible! hhahaha sweet eye man..
I don’t think that it will be too easy to graft the AWD system into an R56. Not with it being based upon an X1.
Too bad. I was hoping that the AWD would become available across the whole lineup.
Good eye, C4. A two-fer, courtesy of Brenda Priddy, perhaps?
<blockquote> A two-fer, courtesy of Brenda Priddy, perhaps?</blockquote>
Not from Brenda. If they were taken by her her name would be everywhere on them, and everyone on the net would have them. These are from a source we have had success with at Bimmerfile.com: “Scoopy”. These are the first shots of the actual system to be used and as Gabe pointed out do not expect the final sheet metal to look like these photos. If you are curious about the X1 and its size there are some photos here:
<a href="http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/25/x1-spied-during-winter-testing/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/25/x1-spied-during-winter-testing/</a>
Looks like I have to hold on to my winter beater for another year. I like the Clubman but the Crossover closes the sale! It will make the perfect stable-mate for my ’05-S.
FORGET the SAV. This 4wd Clubman should be JCW Stage2 edition of the Clubman.
I guess it is just the further AMERKANAZATION of MINI. Dumb it down and soften it up for the Amerkcan Market. Remember folks The JCW Stage 2 works kit has the BASE suspensionh.
i thought the suv was going to have 4 doors?
The R60 will be a 4 door, the body we have been seeing on this development is only a test mule. The only part of the R60 pics to date that show anything about the actual car is the undercarriage as Gabe has said many times.
DrDiff not all of us Yanks are looking for a softer toy, think I for one have pretty well stated my point of view about the R60 and the recent news about the Factory JCW. My voice also isn’t the only one in this country asking for something else from Mini.
I’m surprised to find myself actually interested in this crossover. Hopefully the AWD system will favor the rear wheels. And hopefully it won’t be as ugly as the Clubman.
Assuming that BMW never releases the 4-door 1 series here in the states (I really wish they would, maybe along with some 4-cylinder models), this might be the only way to get a small 4-door BMW here.
Ultimately the design is going to be super critical here. They have to design something that really screams MINI.
that rear diff looks smaller than the one on my quad.
Honestly, off road?
The R60 does sound good. The AWD would work really well up here in the Pacific Northwest. However, they should go back to the pre-2007 dash design. The one since then, and on the Clubman I viewed at Northwest Mini last week, is atrocious. Looks like it was crafted out of silly putty and Bazooka gum. I got back into my 2006 Mini with it’s much sleeker dash and headed back to Seattle. In the rain, of course.
Offer it in turbo diesel, with 4 side doors plus 2 rear barn doors and I’ll seriously consider it over other vehicles.
<blockquote>That rear diff looks smaller than the one on my quad.
Honestly, off road?
</blockquote>
Wow you must have a really big quad!
Honestly, you actually expect MINI to make an off-road vehicle? Really?
Looks like a Clubman. . I’d like to see a size comparison.
MOKE Baby !!!
This ain’t no MOKE! Give us removable doors and a removable rag top and a roll bar (like a Jeep or even a vintage VW Thing) and then we can utter the name MOKE. Now that would be special!!
Due to what will look like being the biggest MINI of all time to date, why not call it the MINI MAXI MOKE?
sounds like the perfect snowmobile ,i would love to get one.
If they use Moke think they should call it the anti-Moke. Love it or hate it the R60 is a cross over. The Moke is more akin to a striped out Jeep than anything that has the word luxury attached to it.
Jon, you’re right for once. Wouldn’t you love to see a real MOKE produced by MINI? It will never happen, but we can dream!
I love the Moke, would personally hate to see this name put on anything other than a very minimalistic car, which is something that I doubt we would ever see from Mini.
I never really cared for the Moke.
Not everyone in the AMERKAN market needs a dumbed down car, moron.