A Mini crossover

91_z28_4me
09-09-2008, 10:04 PM
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/09/paris-preview-2010-mini-crossover-concept/
It's finally arrived folks... and it's not the coming apocalypse. MINI has released the first official images of the Crossover Concept, proving that BMW not only has a sense of humor, but that it's serious about bringing an all-wheel-drive MINI to market in 2010.

These initial images give us a clear indication of how future MINIs will be styled, and if BMW's reputation for making only a few revisions from concept to production hold true, this is very close to the finished product.

Measuring about six inches wider and taller than the Clubman, the Crossover Concept features a five-door body style, but that's where the similarities end. The right rear door has a conventional hinge, but the left door slides out and back, minivan-style. The rear hatch ditches the Clubman's dual doors and is instead fitted with a single panel that opens to the right. Sources suggest that the concept's door arrangement might be nixed in favor of something more traditional when it reaches production.

Power specifications and exact trim levels have yet to be revealed, but expect the Crossover to carry the same naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engines as its Cooper counterparts, BMW's Efficient Dynamics system (with start-stop tech) and naturally, all-wheel-drive.

It's likely that the Crossover won't be spending much time off road, but with a higher ride height, more space, a comfy interior and MINI's iconic styling, we're sure we'll see several on the highways and byways both here and abroad.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/01_mini_crossover_low_450op.jpg

Z28x
09-09-2008, 10:13 PM
I would think mileage will be key to the success of this, but the same types that bought because it was "in" might hop on this vehicle too.

VladimirSteel
09-09-2008, 11:03 PM
at least its better looking than the clubman... that thing is hideous...

Z28x
09-10-2008, 09:35 AM
Doors are neat

http://image.motortrend.com/f/concept-cars/mini-crossover-concept-for-paris-showcases-direction-of-future-model/10915980+cr1+re0+ar1/mini-crossover-concept.jpg

JeremyNYR
09-10-2008, 10:07 AM
the car even looks like it's frowning and hates itself

muckz
09-11-2008, 06:15 PM
It's bigger and heavier, yet still uses the same 1.6L engine... I'm wondering how much slower it will get and how much worse the fuel economy will be.

Red89GTA
09-14-2008, 05:51 PM
That'll slightly slower than..... ummm, something really slow. The regular n/a Cooper ain't exactly a screamer, and that's the lightest iteration of the MINI. You really need to wind it out to get it to move. The turbo version, well that does move :freakout:

Tokuzumi
09-15-2008, 10:40 AM
Looks like the infiniti FX. I kind of like it. But it will barely be able to get out of its own way. The mini has decent pep, but add lots of weight, and it's not going to be pretty.

threxx