Car Magazine Snaps the MINI Crossover…S?
Car Magazine (always a favorite of ours) has some new photos of the MINI Crossover prototype that has been roaming around Munich. However a quick look at the rear of this particular prototype shows that this is indeed a different prototype than we’ve seen before. If you look closely you’ll see dual exhausts where there was only one on the previous R60 caught by Next Autos a few weeks ago. Could this be the R60 “S”?
Also interesting about these photos are what is following the R60 prototype – a brand new BMW registered Clubman (you can tell by the plates). Normally BMW goes out of their way to hide the identity of the prototypes as their undergoing testing. Could this be an intentional move by BMW to show the overall size of the R60 in relation to a Clubman in response to criticism seen here on MF and elsewhere about the idea of a MINI SUV? If so this move does a great job in disarming those who thing the R60 will be another oversized SUV. As you can see it’s barely larger than the current Clubman.
You can see more below.
+ MINI 4×4 Crossover / Car Magazine
For more information on the R60, be sure to check out the R60 section on MotoringFile.
I hope that C pillar is camo. I don’t like the FJ-ish look to it.
Im not too sure this is the crossover mule… Looking at the wheels they have a 5 stud BMW configuration, maybe its a mule for the X1???
I could be wrong tho! 😉
The R60 is based partly on the X1 – part of that is the five lug wheels.
Is that a split rear barn door a la Clubman in that test mule?
+2 I am becoming desillusioned with this car. I am no fan of the FJ Cruiser goofy looking roof.
I think my next MINI will still be a Clubman.
For a minute I almost believed I was looking at a Nightfire Red Clubman S in the second pic!!!
With all your due respect to the MINI design team…. This R60 looks vulgar and cheap. I would expect something like this to come out from the Toyota or KIA design studios. The R60 is taking the MINI theme a bit too far.
Either fix it or dump it before it is too late.
(I am starting to sound like Jon)
Okay, we all know how small out little Minis are compared to.., well everything? Look at how short that blue car is compared to the Minis! Now thats small!
Ah, so it is. BMW sometimes go to great lengths to disguise their models (remember the X5 Mule) Oh and that small blue car is an old Fiat Punto, which is not the biggest car in world, although more interior space than my Cooper!
oh btw, I love this pic comparing the MINI models. (Thanks TvR) MINI is getting bigger!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timmee/440624595/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.flickr.com/photos/timmee/440624595/</a>
The perspective of the shot with the Clubman is not one that you can make any good comparisons from. Shooting the shot from below roof-line and a rear 3/4 lacks detail.
Still my biggest issue isn’t with the size, its the bastarding of the brand image that Mini has fought for for the last many years to establish. The article had a interesting bit at the bottom about it potentially rallying, though I think getting spanked by the competition leaves a lot to be desired for the brand image. IMO
Thanks Seth for that photo link. It’s great see and compare all the MINI’s side by side. I parked my Clubman next to an original Mini the other day and the contrast is size was amazing. It was also interesting that the owner had a vanity plate the said something like “NONBMR” or “NOTABMR”.
@Seth: shot was taken at the South African Launch of the R56. The same display was used a couple of months later at [MINI United 2007](<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timmee/sets/72157600409569859/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.flickr.com/photos/timmee/sets/72157600409569859/</a>)
<blockquote>Could this be an intentional move by BMW to show the overall size of the R60 in relation to a Clubman in response to criticism seen here on MF and elsewhere about the idea of a MINI SUV? If so this move does a great job in disarming those who thing the R60 will be another oversized SUV. As you can see it’s barely larger than the current Clubman.</blockquote>
I’m sorry, but… huh?? I think it would have made a point if it was <em>smaller</em> than the Clubman. “Barely” larger is still larger, while some would argue that the normal Mini is already too large to bare the name “mini”. Of course this is a US site, where the Mini truly is a small car. Over here in Europe, where we are much more used to the classic Mini in the streets and where we have cars such as the Ford Ka, Renault Twingo and Fiat Panda, the phrase that it (the new Mini) really isn’t “mini” any more can be heard <em>often</em>. Obviously a car that is even larger than the largest Mini up till now isn’t going to do that sentiment much good.
I knew the Crossover wasn’t going to be any bigger than the Clubman. It’s bit higher of the ground, but it doesn’t look any bigger. thanks MINI for keeping the Crossover a MINI.
Perspective on the shot is less than ideal to tell the actual dimensions of the R60 versus. Being shot 3/4 at the shoulder like this doesn’t really give a huge amount of comparative material.
As an example the R60 is over 62″ high (This is the first MINI to measure more than four metres in length. And measuring 1,830 millimetres/72.0″ in width as well as 1,598 millimetres/62.9″ in height, the MINI Crossover Concept goes beyond the existing production models from MINI also in this respect. Wheelbase, finally, is 2,606 millimetres/102.6″, again ensuring an even more powerful stance on the road.) so its about 7″ taller though the photo graph makes it appear the two are much closer.It also does quite the job of disguising the width. The R60 is about 6″ wider to.
It’s FUGLYASS!
I love the way MINI disguises their concepts. It looks like a Don Cherry suit. 😀
Did anyone notice the trailer hitch on the Crossover?