Our opinion of most Auto Express’ recent MINI related stories isn’t high. They’ve seemed to get it wrong more times than not over the last year or two with erroneous reports on everything from the new factory JCW car to the new convertible. However with this latest piece on the new MINI Crossover (which they believe will be called “Crossman” as reported previously on MF) they do a decent job of summing up most of what we know along with making a few good assumptions of what we don’t. They also had an “artist” cobble together a photoshopped image of what the new crossover could look like. While it all looks plausible, the image looks like nothing more than a good guess as to the final design details. Here’s a quick excerpt:
>As it sits on a stretched version of the standard load-lugger’s platform, the SUV will offer more space inside. That means there will be adequate room in the back for two adults – although thanks to those rear doors, access should be much better.
>The dashboard and all other interior detailing will be carried over from the Clubman. But the question on the lips of all MINI fans is: will the latest MINI be a proper off-roader, like the Land Rover Freelander?
>Not really. The SUV will be biased towards on-road use, and won’t sacrifice the agile, driver-pleasing hand-ling for which MINI has become famous. Nevertheless, there will be a full-time four-wheel-drive system, said to have been developed by transmission expert Getrag. Add in the raised ride height, and the car will be reasonably capable over rough terrain – easily rugged enough for most buyers.
+ MINI crossman is coming / Auto Express
How long before someone posts about this killing the MINI brand? Gentleman, start your watches…
Now, if they would just give me that car in the picture with Diesel engine, and at least modest off-road capability I would love to have it as a second MINI.
This is going to kill the MINI brand. Whats next? A MINI Cooper 18-wheeler? Or maybe a MINI NASA Space Shuttle Transporter Platform……
This is killing the MINI brand! This single photoshop monstrosity of the Crossman makes me hate my car and worse, myself! The dark clouds of the MINI apocalypse are gathering and the four horsepowers thereof gallop in from the east bringing death, destruction, and mediocrity to the last original car brand in the world! The Cooper, the Cooper S, the Clubman, and now the pale rider itself – the Crossman! Doom! Doom on you all! BWAHAHAHAHAHA! There will be wailing and gnashing of gears! MINI owners everywhere will flee to Hummer dealerships and cry out to be run over at once before being forced to behold this wretched abomination and its latte-sipping, cell-phone-text-messaging yuppie demographic! Woe upon this day!
There. Now we hopefully have that out of our collective system. Tame those arches back a bit and I really like it. I’m with MINItron though, I want a diesel.
Killing the brand…Blah Blah Blah! This is nonsense. It is building upon the brand. Remember when VW built the first water-cooled engine? Did it kill the brand? Or Porsche? BMW hasn’t killed the brand with there X series of SAVs.
Matter of fact SA, someone built a MINI limo and it was way cool! So, while an 18 wheeler may be a stretch… I seriously doubt that this mildly inflated AWD utility vehicle is going to be the ruin of MINI. It will drive more profits to the company that builds your favorite compact. Relax.
One rather nasty Photo shop attempt in my book but then again thats just me.
I would hope that this would stand a chance of finally bringing the diesel to the states. I am pretty sure though will will not see a large increase in the area under the bonnet though and likely to have much room for the urea tank. While I have no doubt that the car will have a tad more capability off-road I rather doubt this is BMW focus on this car, rather I think they are aiming it at area’s of the world with more winter weather than others in mind. Which if you think about it should actually be funny, can almost imagine the awesome grip with four “widow makers” in the cold and wet lol.
Just to keep my view advertised, ick! 😉
I just hope the final product doesn’t look like this one — the front makes it look like a crossbreeding between an Audi and a MINI
Gabe, while it won’t be intended for off-road use is anyone expecting the new SAV to have decent ground clearance compared to the Cooper, S and Clubman?
Oh, man, these comments are great
the killing the brand comments are getting old and cliche. think of some better retorts =P
i like the 2 extra doors. i think i’ll like the final product. this photochop looks like it’s gasping or those whalesharks that swim around with its mouth open really wide to filter feed
What is with the door cladding that are like 6 inches tall? We go from not having any door cladding on any MINI model yet produced, all the way to Pontiac Aztec-esque super rediculous cladding!
Yuck.
I like the four doors, actually.
The grille is a bit overpowering, but who knows what the final will look like. I just hope they lose the late nineties Pontiac side cladding.
In response to all of those who fear doom as a consequence of changes and/or additions not based upon historic Mini offerings, how is it that it’s perfectly fine to ride around on 18″ wheels? Shouldn’t we be limited to something in the 10″ to 12″ range?
Ack! Why can’t anyone get blackpoints right when using Photoshop? Can’t you see that your grill is MUCH darker than it should be for an overcast day?
As crazy as it sounds, if this is what will let me keep a MINI in the family after our baby arrives, then I’m all for it… especially after trying to test fit a child seat in my R56 last weekend.
Do I have to actually explain that I was kidding?
Autoexpress is the equivalent of the National Enquirer or World Weekly News. Publications that are full of S—- and little journalistic substance and/or credibility.
Test
I just hope they ditch those barn doors. I’m not a fan of the impaired visibility. Instead, maybe they could have a split tailgate. The glass raises and the bottom folds down like the convertible. Also, hopefully both sets of doors will be frame-less, like the classic Subie.
Ok guys, I am back (Thanks Gabe & DB for fixing the problem).
Autoexpress is the equivalent of the National Enquirer or Weekly World News….Publications high on BS content and very little journalistic substance.
I actually prefer the yellow prototype. Looks like the result of a VW Thing mating with a M-B G-Wagon.
Let the free market decides whether this “Crossman” will kill the brand or not.
The pundits who are against the new R56 and other variants of Cooper just don’t have any business sense. For example, the sales number of MINI brand continues to rise despite of the automobile downturn. Hence, people like the new products.
Its not going to kill the brand, I do see it causing a riff in the Mini community but it wont kill that either.
Still doesn’t mean that I think making SUV’s is a great choice for the brand. Seems predictable and is entering a market with direct competition.
On a side note to anybody worring about the styling we have seen so far in pictures. They are all nothing other than artistic concepts (not by Mini) and mules. I personally will wait to see what a four door raised Mini looks like. The Autoexpress picture reminds me of a FJ Crusier, thats why I gagged when I saw it.
The Toyota FJ cruiser is a bad photoshop job that actually made it to production.
Gabe (and everyone for that matter):
Putting aside performance, from a design standpoint, what are the essential elements that all MINIs will (or must) share in one form or another? Or to put it another way, to what extent will all future models look like each other? Could there ever be an original MINI model with no historical precedent that isn’t a play on the then current Cooper ‘R’ designation?
I think I just threw up a little. Sorry MINI, I can’t help it. It looks like an over inflated Clubman. It just needs a little tweaking and I guess it’ud be fine. It looks like it wants to eat me.
Bean (Mr.)
I think I just threw up a little. Sorry MINI, I can’t help it. It looks like an over inflated Clubman. It just needs a little tweaking and I guess it’ud be fine. It looks like it wants to eat me. So much for the MINI. Why does every car maker feel the need for an SUV?
This should be the MINI lineup:
COOPER
COOPER S
CLUBMAN
CLUBMAN S
PICKUP
PICKUP S
and personally I think it’ud be cool to bring back the ELF and HORNET.
Bean (Mr.)
MINIme,
BMW killed the brand the second they hired Bangles and H’Donk. I don’t think it’ll ruin MINI, but it won’t sell well. When people want a MINI they want a MINI not a “LARGE-INI” < I know, dumb term, right? I thought of it myself. : )
As this is just an hallucinogenic Photosnot, it fails to interest me in the least, and no doubt the “MINI to be named later” will look very diff, but, please, MINI style elves, please – absolutely no “I’m Ready To Suck Enormous….Whatevers” front grilles; please, please, please. Leave the humungous-orifices-waiting-for-something-to-be-shoved-into-them for the Audidoos and Mitsubeanies to grapple with – or whatever you call it on the criminal blotter – as a very loud styling belch. (it’s much worse than a hiccup, & it smells worse’n stale beer and old garlic) That’s all I ask – show some restraint.
I think Auto Express is a bunch of people thinking up ideas that might or might not happen, this is like the fake gossip magazines in the check out line at walmart. Gabe it is almost a joke to report on them 🙂
I can recall when the little Suzuki Escudo 4WD came out – they became very popular with the SUV buyers.
This will be a rival to that range of SUVs.
I dont personally like the name – Crossman – sounds too aggresive and angry.
Will the same second generation horsepowered engines in an apparent heavier Crossman endorse BB King’s famous lyric-“the thrill is gone”?
if you can look past the cartoonish look of the fj cruiser, it’s actually an extremely capable off-roader and a very sweet truck. looks aren’t everything. and i suspect this crossover will be very nice to have (in addition to a regular mini)
I’m with you Mr Bean…..
Why oh why do MINI think they must create another SUV road pig?
Aren’t there enough of these horrid things on the road already?
I actually think Mini will create a decent auto, although I personally just think this is the wrong direction for the company and will cause some long-term problems within the Mini community.
There are more than a few that look forward for this development and many that disagree with this development. To me this development turns its back on the historical perspective of Mini.
This isn’t going to be an off road wonder. This is being built with the same mind set as the BMW X series and for a very similar owner base. This is being built for the few people that really need 4 wheel drive and those that need a status symbol to feel better about themselves.
the brand died a long time ago when Stephenson left BMW…
I’m sure BMW will do a quality job of this thing, & I agree wholehartedly with you Jon.
Seems here in AUS that 95% of SUV/4WD are purely for status symbol for mum to drop the kids to school!
I suppose it will keep some people happy that they have an SUV, I just cannot see why it has to be MINI that supplies it.
In the Gert Hildebrand interview at MINI United he says that “Mini is a fragile product with a focused customer base and we should not over do it” …. I think this is overdoing it.
I believe that Mini is doing their best to create a good future business. I believe a portion of why we are seeing the R60 is because of the profitability of the X series for BMW. I believe this has spoken louder to them than their user base has. I am sure they are aiming it at growing the customer base. I just think that between whats its going to do to the community and how it aligns up with the upcoming 1 series X that the potential harm the the community and brand image.
If I were are any other company seeing this development at Mini and worrying how this would impact my profits I would look at their previous advertising and smile. Mini has made its name since re-releasing the brand as being a practical replacement for SUV’s which are ego machines that are highly wasteful. A target rich history to show that they are wrong.
I think people are going a bit overboard with tolling bells predicting the death of the MINI brand. If I am still living in New England when I buy my next car (2010 to 2011), it WILL be AWD. I would live to buy another MINI, but if MINI does not have an AWD option available, I will not be buying another MINI. Given that I will have a child (or two) by then, this model may fit the bill. Of course, it may not. But there is likely a market for it, despite all the posted opinions that it will be the end of MINI.
Heck, I might have a MINI crossover for trucking the kids around AND an R56 MC as a commuter car to get me or my wife to work every day.MINI/BMW’s concern is to try to offer the right cars to keep people loyal to the brand. I’m guessing that most folks out there who do not buy MINIs as auxilliary vehicles (toys, track racers, etc), but rather buy it as their only car or their commuter…eventually find they need a more practical car (with more interior space, etc.). The market for MINIs is probably shifting to the point where that demographic makes up the bulk of MINI buyers. So to keep them in the brand, MINI needs to give them a MINI with more space. The Clubman was a step forward. Crossover is a bigger step.
I only hope two things: 1) that they get rid of the barn doors and just give the back a hatch (or better yet, make hatch vs. barn doors an optional choice!), and 2) that they make it available with a diesel or a hybrid engine/drivetrain. And I know that MINI’s designers are a lot more discerning than the folks who did that photoshop job, so I don’t think it’s worth me commenting about the crappy design decision (IMO) of that rendering.
Jon, what makes you think that BMW gives a rat’s butt about the MINI community? They are in business to sell as many cars at as high a profit as they can. If the 1% of the mix that is the enthusiast is turned off but is replaced by 20% more average Joe’s, do you think BMW will be bothered at all? Many of the folks on NAM and here have been moaning for years that they want an AWD MINI.
I also don’t get people getting all upset about an artist rendition in any magazine as the odds of the final product looking like the rendition is slim and none. I’ll wait and see how the final product looks before passing too much judgment.
I do concur with the folks that would prefer a proper tailgate instead of the barn doors. Having a hatch over your head when it is raining and you are loading stuff into the boot is a major plus over the perceived value of maintaining some historical precedence IMHO.
rhawth99, I have never said that I don’t expect this car to do anything but sell well, particularly in the SUV crazed nation I live in. My only concern is around what this says about Mini’s thought processes. The R60 with AWD is going to likely to be the most expensive of all of the Mini brand, and with the 1 series X from Mini that its undercarriage is being developed on I think we are going to see similar product price point issues between the R60 and the 1 series that we have been seeing with the JCW Mini and the 135i.
I do believe that Mini will produce a decent product its just growth in a direction of the brand I think is a bit flawed.
As a tall person, I appreciate the bar doors so I don’t stoop so much when loading – I’ve had plenty of experience on a couple of different vehicles that use them, rain on my head or not, but then again, it doesn’t rain much where I live. 😉 It would be nice to order optional doors, but that might not be feasible for MINI.
I agree with Jon on MINI’s direction. I understand the need for the company to be profitable – but not sure turning the MINI into a small BMW, price-wise, is the answer. With the Clubman pushing $30K with modest options, I’m with Jon in seeing the new MINI Crossover at the top $$$ end of MINI’s line-up. When I can get similar “utility” in a $20K vehicle today…. makes a tough personal sell.
<blockquote>but not sure turning the MINI into a small BMW, price-wise, is the answer. </blockquote>
It always has been…There have always been faster and cheaper “hot hatches” the MINI has always been about the near perfect blend of style and performance at a premium price. Just like BMW sedans, they arent looking to compete on price, they compete by being the ultimate driving machine, and for that experinece some will pay more than the next guy
Now about the brand….
Unlike many other brands MINI actually has a rally heritage
IF the SAV is as genuinely off road capable as its street based corner hugging sister, giving excellent unpaved road handling then it is as legitimate as any other model of cooper! if not…Its not
Just like most of us never go to the track, the fact that soccer moms never go off road is a mute point unless you admit that a turbo or supercharger is not needed either and that a S is not true to heritage.
If done well this SAV will be a big seller and an unsurpassed performer on the dirt and gravel roads
Don’t know why anybody is considering this development an offroad warrior. Remember this is being built by BMW whose SUV(SAV if you prefer) are about as built for offroad as much as the coupe is. I believe like the X series it will be built for those that do have a honest need of a better winter car, those that believe all wheel drives are safer, and those that love posing in their wanna-be offroad toys.
Mini, AWD, rally history, 4 door car (with leather interior)….. must have missed that chapter in the Mini history books ;). While no doubt that the brand has a rally history last time I looked that was in a minimalistic front wheel drive car not a +30k luxury mobile. imo
You have it nailed exactly dr – am in 100% agreement. The other side of the coin though is I think to people like myself and Jon, BMW’s initial release of the MINI “pretended” to bring back the “faster and cheaper hot hatch” that was the whole appeal of the original Mini, and it’s what launched the MINI brand. My original Mini beat the rest out there on performance AND price – truly everyman’s rally car. BMW’s trend to the “ultimate (MINI) driving machine” isn’t following Mini’s heritage at all, just BMW’s. Some of us purists would like to see MINI on the other path, but it is just not BMW’s way. Nothing wrong with that – it’s their business decision, and BMW/MINI will certainly be successful with the Crossman’s (or whatever it is finally called) release. Just won’t appeal or sell to some of us original Miniacs.
The last few comments are similar to a conversation I had with a high level MINI employee a few years ago. The sort of thing I wish I could share here.
Its been talked about since the beginning of time that MINI needs to have varied models to justify their business model. It is very difficult for them to sustain a market presence with just one or two models. I think the Clubman is a terrific car and addresses a customer market segment that likes MINIs but would not buy them due to space issues. Likewise with the Colorado. For the “Purist”there always will be the hatchback. For the folks that like open air motoring, the cabrios and for those who want/need more practicallity, the Clubman/SAV fit the bill.
40+ years ago you could purchase a regular Mini, a Countryman Estate or a nifty pickup. It was true then as it is now.
<blockquote>For the “Purist”there always will be the hatchback. For the folks that like open air motoring, the cabrios and for those who want/need more practicallity, the Clubman/SAV fit the bill.</blockquote> Don’t think it is quite the stratification of the model line we “purists” are getting at. It is the re-modification/engineering/change-for-change-sake going into that stratification, that in-turn is a justification for a boost in price (the BMW way) of 20% to 30% with each new release.
Would love to see the discussion between you and Mini Gabe, though I know thats something you cannot share. Oh well heh
<strong>“I’m with you Mr Bean…..
Why oh why do MINI think they must create another SUV road pig?
Aren’t there enough of these horrid things on the road already?”</strong>
Thanks for agreeing ST. Its like Porsche. Sports car makers and SUVs don’t mix. I think MINIs shipment of failure has arrived!
<a href="URL" rel="nofollow">http://www.shipmentoffail.com/fails/2007/12/your-shipment-of-fail-has-been-delivered</a>
lots of MINI purists getting their panties in a wad… ha ha…
Why is this SUV thing even badged as a MINI? Shouldn’t it be carrying a BMW badge? There’s nothing <strong>mini</strong> about it! Well about as much as a Cayenne is a Porsche I guess.
rhawth99, you seems to have hit the nail on the head when you say <blockquote>what makes you think that BMW gives a rat’s butt about the MINI community? They are in business to sell as many cars at as high a profit as they can</blockquote>
I think this exemplifies some of Jon’s points (or at least certainly my thoughts) – BMW don’t seem to give a toss anymore about what MINI stands for or it’s heritage, just lining their pockets…
The BMW claws really have have sunk deep now…
>…………..The last few comments are similar to a conversation I had with a high level MINI employee a few years ago. The sort of thing I wish I could share here.
I would like to hear that also;)
Yes, and now that disasterous SUV called the Cayenne is being realeased as a GTS! It sure looks like Porsche screwed the pooch…
Get over it guys, MINI is doing everything it can to grow as a company AND I don’t think that the purists are the company’s number 1 concern. There’s just no percentage in it (or profit). But you can rest assured that becoming more profitable, or at least remaining viable, will go a long way towards sticking around long enough to continue to produce a bare-bones hatch that you purists can customize to your liking.
And with regards to pricing… all cars are overpriced. BMW is way overpriced, although I admit that I do like a few of their offerings.
I might just buy one of these SAVs (if I like the finished product) to add to my stable of road-hogging, gas-sucking, tree-killing, air-polluting SUVs.
Bring it on!
That is tight! I would love to have both…Cooper S and that thing! WOOT!
Lol MINIme go talk to a group of Porsche enthusiast and get their feedback on what the Cayenne did the the Porsche community. Porsche has been working hard on their SAV’s meanwhile we get to watch a Nissan blowing the doors off of their bread and butter product since they have been throwing money at the SAV. Yes they are more viable today, but a good deal of what they stood for is a distant memory.
Not to sure how much I look forward to this for our brand.
Again looking forward to seeing whether this comes out in turbio diesel. If it doesn’t, I’ll most likely not consider purchasing it. Will also be interesting to see how its pricing stacks up against the existing line.