MINI to Grow the Countryman with Four Variants
UK Automotive tabloid Autoexpress has long held a tradition for being the most sensationalist automotive weekly in the English language so it’s with that knowledge that we share the following information. The British weekly magazine is reporting that MINI intends to create a seven seat version of the Countryman. Their rational seems to be nothing more than a off-handed comment made by MINI Head Dr. Wolfgang Armbrecht at the recent Countryman launch. However the comment and the figure thrown out by the good Dr. doesn’t seem to add up to seven seats. Here’s the quote from AE:
>According to Dr Wolfgang Armbrecht, global head of MINI brand management, the Countryman could definitely be made even bigger. “We could take the wheelbase from 2.60m to around 2.70m,†he said.
Yes 10 cm is just under four inches. And with that amount of additional wheel base Autoexpress believes MINI can stretch the already small Countryman enough to accommodate another row of seats. The only way we could see this possible would be to add a row facing rear-ward. Of course BMW has always shied away from doing this in their wagons due to safety issues. But nevermind those little details.
Instead we believe Dr. Armbrecht’s comments were a sly mention of the concept that has become known on MF as the SpaceBox. While that name has long since been shelved internally the idea of a BMW 5 Series GT type of vehicle (with maximum space in tall wagon shape) has gained momentum now that the Countryman is through development.
With the Countryman being a unique (and expensive) platform MINI intends to leverage it every way it can. That means we could see up to four variants in total:
– R60 Countryman
– R65 SpaceBox
– RXX Moke (Based on the Beachcomber)
– RXX Next Generation Clubman
The Moke (name not finalized) will essentially be a Beachcomber concept with doors and a very large sunroof. The next Clubman will continue to be the “other” MINI but will grow in size and offer more room and comfort. The SpaceBox (again name yet to be finalized) will be the ultimate people mover MINI. Originally conceived along the lines of an old VW van, the SpaceBox will take the big on the inside approach to the extreme.
<p>Not surprised by this move and makes sense by broadening the total vehicles that can use shared components.</p>
<p>A 3k Moke, please no. Name it anything else MINI. The Moke was more than an open Mini it was a extremely minimalistic vehicle that too the basic Mini and stripped it to its most basic form. Every new car just by the evolution of cars in general make this car un-buildable in this day and age.</p>
<p>Open the tailgate and let the kids hang their legs out the back….BAM! 7-seater ;)</p>
<p>And what’s the word on a JCW version of the R60?</p>
<p>Have to agree with JonPD…this move makes sense…and a LOT more sense than AE’s idiotic analysis. Assuming MINI steps up the game in terms of differentiating models (making the next Clubman more than just a lowered Countryman, etc), I’m all for this.</p>
<p>Also have to agree that I hope they don’t use the Moke name. Partly out of heritage, and partly because it’s always struck me as a silly name, and one that will mean pretty much nothing to most of the market. I actually find myself preferring Beachcomber.</p>
<p>Can’t wait to see how MINI executes the production Beachcomber/Moke. If they do it right, I think they’ve got a chance of succeeding where Jeep failed with the Compass – building an aggressive little AWD rally bomber.</p>
<p>VW, despite finding resources for seemingly endless variants of their few platforms, completely dropped the ball on resurrecting their Minibus… despite an incredibly attractive and well-rendered concept car (Microbus) that still looks fresh today. MINI can show them how to actually productionalize a similar concept (but with more emphasis on driving dynamics) with the Spacebox. It should be a huge seller and “steal” a lot of the positive association the VW minibus/microbus had. Great name too… hope MINI uses “Spacebox” for the production model!</p>
<p>I think it would be wicked cool to see the new “Beachcomber” with detachable doors w/o the B pillar (maybe even running a suicide set of rear doors, to that you could make it look more like the concept. It would take a bit more engineering, but I think it would significantly up the cool factor in my opinion. Maybe even exterior door hinges similar to the Pre-’69 Mini’s or what Jeeps run…</p>
<blockquote>MINI can show them how to actually productionalize a similar concept (but with more emphasis on driving dynamics) with the Spacebox. It should be a huge seller and “steal†a lot of the positive association the VW minibus/microbus had. Great name too… hope MINI uses “Spacebox†for the production model!</blockquote>
<p>I think the idea of a MINI minivan is a fantastic one. Since VW dropped the ball so bad (Routan over Minibus, really?), and since everyone else is making overwrought, oversized minivans, MINI has one hell of an opening to make something distinct and maybe, just maybe, make the minivan somewhat cool again (as well as popularize the whole compact people mover concept stateside).</p>
<p>I just hope they call it the MINI Van and leave it at that…</p>
<p>What and no pickup model?</p>
<p>Yeah – VW have already released a pickup model to their range….</p>
<p>Funny that Fast Lane Daily noted the expansion of the R60 and increase in size that MINI is now known as LARGE (roll on drums).</p>
<p>Pretty sure there will be much lampooning of a X1 size MINI in the automotive press. Then again BMW has huge issues of making their cars bigger and bigger. I think in Bavaria that something that is bigger must be better. Sounds like the American automotive lexicon has found a home.</p>
<p>I pride myself in speaking and writing in standard english;however,when I saw the above photo,the first statement that came out of my mouth was the following:</p>
<p>“Ooooooh Laaaawwwwddddy and good googley-moogley! That Countryman,right there,is on fire,Son! On FI-ER!!!”</p>
<p>Translation: “Oh my GOD! Wow! The above photo,of the MINI Countryman,is beautiful,my friend! Beautiful!!!”</p>
<p>Who can photoshop a truck from this photo?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jweishaar/4827160055/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.flickr.com/photos/jweishaar/4827160055/</a></p>
<p>as a truck, can we post pics in replies?</p>
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