Mini Green Lights Crossover, But Would YOU Want One?

Mini Green Lights Crossover, But Would YOU Want One?
The Mini lineup will grow by one with the addition of the Crossover, Mini's largest family member yet. The production model will be similar to the concept that was successfully received at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, a company spokesman tells Inside Line.

"After going over the large amount of feedback from experts and the public, we approved the Crossover for production just four weeks after it debuted at the Paris show," says head of Mini brand management Wolfgang Armbrecht.

Armbrecht and Mini Development Chief Friedrich Nitschke spoke with IL at a recent event in Austria to shed light on plans for the Crossover.

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IcebreakerIcebreaker - 1/29/2009 1:53:50 PM
+1 Boost
I actually like the idea of "premium small cars". Too many brands have lost their roots and soul. Mini and Porsche are two that haven't (save judgment on the Panamera). BMW is back on track with the 1 series. Ford is finally going to give us the Euro Focus. Not everybody wants a small car; but those that do, haven't had a lot of premium choices. The Crossover(man) might fit a niche of people that want to drive small SUVs... but don't want to join the CRV or Rave4 parade. Not my kind of dream vehicle, but I can see where it will do well.


rigidrigid - 1/29/2009 1:56:22 PM
+2 Boost
I own a R53 Mini and the monent I saw the concept I thought this is the begining of the end. Why BMW thinks that making a bigger small car is a good idea is a mystery to me. Now if they want to give the regular R56 Mini all wheel drive I am all for that, but a streech and a lift is a terrible idea.


KthornKthorn - 1/29/2009 2:09:09 PM
-1 Boost
It carries the Mini brand image and has a unique look, depending on pricing, yeah I'd buy one of these. With four doors it appeals to small families who want something other than the status quo for the second car. Besides, if Mini doesn't innovate and expand thier product line the "been there/done that" buyers will have moved on to other brands.


Bmw8terBmw8ter - 1/29/2009 3:35:39 PM
-3 Boost
If this makes it to production, I can see the title of the monthly sales figure update: "Bmw down 28%; Mini rips the atmosphere a new a**hole with a 500% increase", as if Mini had been doing that all along.


WhelanWhelan - 1/29/2009 4:00:04 PM
0 Boost
Um this looks like somebody put a Mini in a blender with the last generation Infiniti FX


KthornKthorn - 1/29/2009 5:07:28 PM
-2 Boost
Add a Toyota FJ and a Isuzu VehiCross to that blender.


downtoearthdowntoearth - 1/29/2009 4:08:53 PM
0 Boost
Top Gear said Mini Cooper was brilliant while the Clubman was poo. They won't dig this one either.


vaziliovazilio - 1/29/2009 6:08:05 PM
+6 Boost
i think it will do well


91z4me91z4me - 1/29/2009 8:02:21 PM
+5 Boost
I would consider it. Look the Cooper is cool and all but it is a 2 door small car. Good luck getting a car seat into the back of one. The Clubman almost makes it possible but still only on one side of the car and generally a hassle. If this thing is nothing more than a little taller and has 4 doors it may in fact be very livable for a small family and provide Mini with access to a much larger portion of the market.


thstonethstone - 1/29/2009 8:15:54 PM
+1 Boost
Its silly looking. Pricing will be way too high. And does the world need an upscale RAV4?


CarCrazedinCaliCarCrazedinCali - 1/29/2009 9:38:38 PM
+4 Boost
First of all, check out this link:

http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Mini/Spy/SUV/01/MINI-SUV.jpg

This is what the new MINI SAV should look like, not the one above.

The Crossman will absolutely be a success, and anyone who thinks that it is hurting the brand needs to just look at the Porsche Cayenne/Panamera. Change is just about always good, and don't accuse MINI of not sticking to its heritage- they are simply expanding as any successful business should.


downtoearthdowntoearth - 1/29/2009 10:12:04 PM
-1 Boost
Good link you provided. The Mini above looks much gayer.


t_bonet_bone - 1/29/2009 10:31:59 PM
+1 Boost
A new record-setting 0-Jump-the-Shark in 8 years for the BMW/MINI brand.


Type707Type707 - 1/29/2009 11:43:34 PM
-3 Boost
Looks R-TARDED. completly bad design.


shabarushabaru - 1/29/2009 11:48:27 PM
-3 Boost
No... I wouldnt want one yet ;]... its the thing about bmw products that I dont trust on their first generation when its either filled with glitches or uneeded garbage... so why not wait for about 2 to 3 years until all the techno garbage are corrected. I feel the exact same way about the 7-series...


TheDepressingTruthTheDepressingTruth - 1/30/2009 12:20:45 AM
-3 Boost
A Mini Crossover? There's two words that just DON'T belong in the same sentence...like Military Intelligence.


cantaffordonecantaffordone - 1/30/2009 8:59:42 AM
+3 Boost
Surly the Mini-Maxi is not for everyone - But Mini, like Scion - have a niche markets that have great brand loyalty. Anything that will boost sales in a tough economy is a good thing. Will there be an "S" and "JCW" edition?


tarponsprings1tarponsprings1 - 1/30/2009 9:35:04 AM
-4 Boost
No way, MINI's are Junk.


CarCrazedinCaliCarCrazedinCali - 1/31/2009 12:26:34 PM
+2 Boost
you truly must be retarded, read a MINI review and then spit out your nonsense


mini22mini22 - 1/30/2009 12:41:44 PM
+2 Boost
The concept is fine. I have an R53. With some mods the engine will overpower the wheels. AWD would make since. What doesn't make sense is the price BMW is asking for it. BMW is making a mistake in my opinion by pricing this car at 29 grand for the FWD version and 34 grand for the AWD version. I think BMW should have held prices at 30 grand for the AWD.
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