Gert Hildebrand Introduces the MINI Beachcomber
Head of MINI Design Gert Hildebrand got together with Autocar to talk about the Beachcomber concept and how it relates to the rest of the MINI range. It’s a thorough introduction of not only the idea but the design in detail. Especially knowing that we are looking at what is essentially an R60 (albeit with bigger tires, cut-out doors and plenty of detailed styling changes).
<p>Wow. That Ironman analogy is received by this athlete as a stretch, but whatever.</p>
<p>I’m immediately reminded of the 16MPG Vehicross Ironman edition of my youth. I used to see the occasional example running around Boulder. Great looking car, but a bit impractical then, and with that MPG it seems downright obscene today:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_9905_1999_isuzu_vehicross/index.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_9905_1999_isuzu_vehicross/index.html</a></p>
<p>At any rate, I’m sticking with my opinion of a few months ago. I would prefer to see MINI move in a different direction, but I get the idea of getting two or three cars out of one design; Moke and Countryman here we come.</p>
<p>i like finally being able to see the countryman with people moving around and in it so that we can get a good visual of the relative size.</p>
<p>i think the concept is cool, and the countryman will sell well, but now i’m ready for the low-slung gti fighter.</p>
<p>I think the size of this concept is perfect! Many clients are in need of something small but large enough for their families and still want to stay within the MINI brand. I think that MINI is doing an excellent job of creating a vehicle that is suitable for many different needs. The Countryman/Moke/Beachcomber is awesome. I can’t wait for the Coupe and Speedster too! Way to go MINI!</p>
<p>Apparently Autocar is too cheap to hire a sound guy for their video shoots.</p>
<p>I still don’t believe this product will ever see light of day for sale, I think its a design experiment.</p>
<p>i agree, but he even says in the middle that this is the cuv, just without doors. look past the concept part and get an eyeful of the production model underneath. not nearly as bad as i feared…</p>
<p>You get a very good idea of the proportion of this car next to Gert and I’m still surprised at how small this thing really is. I truly believe all the doom and gloomers out there will be pleasantly surprised when they see the final Countryman in the tin.</p>
<p>I do wonder how much of a difference this would be compare to the Freelander 1st gen size…</p>
<p>I will be the first person in NJ with an R60 mark my words</p>
<p>Autoweek quotes the Beachcomber concept at 160″ long, on a 102″ wheelbase. The specs for the 1st gen (US spec) Freelander 4 door are 185″ long, on a 100″ wheelbase.</p>
<p>Looking at the Beachcomber concept, which I realize is supposed to be an off-road vehicle, it strikes me that the design makes it look like it’s up on stilts, or kind of tippy-toeing around. The stance looks odd to me.</p>
<p>Can anyone explain the concept of a cantilevered handbrake, please? Uncertain as to what that means.</p>
<p>Once again all I can say is label it a BMW X.5 and be done with it. It surely can hold a kidney grill and would be a good fit in the bottom of the BMW brand.</p>
<p>I’d buy it.</p>
<p>This makes me wanna see the Countryman even more!!!</p>
<p>The more I visualize it; the more intrigued I am to test drive one. As one can clearly observe in my Facebook pic I’m holding my Leonburger puppy Patton 4 months later he is a mere 85 lbs & still growing!!!! I would love to load him and my other doggy Kujo JRT in the Beachcomber and cruise around southern Va beach and the outer banks maybe even Hatteras…. Wow what a motoring experience that would be YES Bring IT over Here BMW AG MINI USA !!!!</p>
<p>yeah, this video may have changed my opinion about the r60, of course we’ll have to see how does the thing handle</p>
<p>Ugly and pointless. 1/10 MINI… Brand dilution. At least we still have the hatch backs… Hopefully they won’t be tampered with too much more.</p>
<p>The only thing I really don’t like about this is the front… it really looks like the MINI ate the Moke and is trying to peak out of its mouth…</p>
<p>This vehicle reminds of the KIA 4 dr Mini SUV in the begining their launch here in Puerto Rico and USA. Damn I forgot the name there still a bunch of them running down here. Now I remember the KIA SPORTAGE same base line I presume</p>
<p>Ludicrous. MINI is veering WAY too far off course with their crossover, and silly, bloated concepts. Work on improving build quality on the R56; mine rattles and squeaks when hitting the slightest of bumps (18,000 miles on the odo, but it started around 8,000), and the interior materials could use a slight improvement in quality too. Not quite the car that justifies it’s price. Don’t get lazy, BMW…</p>
<p>Still great to see Gert talking about the car, although I have strong disagreements with the development of the R60 I do enjoy the passion he has for Mini brand.</p>
<p>I do occasionally wonder if Mini notes the contentious nature of the Mini community on this,and thus has any concern or if the increase in sales to potential new customers outweighs the concern of some of the current customers.</p>
<p>This is the “Production prototype”, therefore I would believe this has a high chance of seeing production. Also he mentiones the four rule: four wheel drive, four seats, four meters long, and “Fourth Mini”
If fourth Mini means that the hatch, clubman and convertible are 1, 2, and 3, then the “fourth Mini” would mean this is produced before the coupe/roadster concepts, and alongside the R60 (as it is a variant).</p>
<p>My only concern is the rear helmet/shoe/swimming trunks holder. He had some trouble closing it if anyone noticed. He pops it shut a third time during his demonstration of where the soft doors/roof would go.</p>
<p>go in about 7:30 into the film, watch the rear compartment.</p>
<p>I honestly believe Chris Gert was mostly speaking about the base R60 under the Beachcomber cladding more than this vehicle. I would be amazed to see a derivative of the R60 before the R60 itself. The Twins are going to be on the market before the R60 by a measure by everything I have heard from friends at MINI and have read here. I am sure the reason why it didn’t rank on Gert’s list was that its a sub-production of the R56.</p>
<p>I like the concept but turn it into a truck/ute. Does anyone know if a truck concept is in the works?</p>