Remember the Mini Crossover concept shown at the 2008 Paris Auto Show? Well, here it is as a full blown production prototype. Caught during cold weather testing in Scandinavia, this test mule gives a pretty clear look at the final design.
A slightly larger, more utilitarian Mini, the Crossover will offer the same lineup of engines as the current Cooper. It will debut with front wheel drive only, but an all-wheel drive will be added later.
According to Wolfgang Armbrecht, head of Mini brand management, the Crossover in Cooper trim with front-wheel drive will start just above the base price for a Cooper S convertible: around $29,000. A Cooper S four-wheel-drive Crossover should be priced at or above $34,000. Since style and functionality are more the point than sportiness, there will be no John Cooper Works edition of the Crossover.
A final production model will be shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show in September, so expect U.S. sales early next year.
Video of this prototype in action after the jump.
sideswiper says:
11:53 PM, 02/ 9/09
34k. for a big(ger) MINI.
I'm trying to think of how many ways to say THIRTY FOUR FRIKIN THOUSAND DOLLARS and make it sound ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS but I can't. There are just too many to choose from.
sideswiper says:
12:24 AM, 02/10/09
34k. for a big(ger) MINI.
I'm trying to think of how many ways to say THIRTY FOUR FRIKIN THOUSAND DOLLARS and make it sound ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS but I can't. There are just too many to choose from.
sabastian says:
05:45 AM, 02/10/09
I'm a Mini fan which is why it pains me to see them sellout like this. It's the Porsche Cayenne all over again.
dougtheeng says:
07:03 AM, 02/10/09
Is that a fake barn door sticker on the back? I ask, because it looks like a single wiper blade a la MINI Cooper. The side doors also look like traditional doors, not the slider type seen on the concept? Thats a shame.
I'm glad to see it has a tow hitch though.
02dude says:
08:23 AM, 02/10/09
And which manufacturer do you all design for.........
oberg says:
08:32 AM, 02/10/09
This is just a way to attract more people to the Mini brand who do not understand the brand. Before long, Mini will be like Scion, with people buying them because they are "cute" or fuel efficient. I already scarcely get a wave from other Mini drivers.
RIP Mini.
02dude says:
08:44 AM, 02/10/09
If their is a market, the market can be filled. If enough interest is shown.Society needs to be responsible and also enjoy what life has to offer, within limits of course.
There will still be true Mini fanatics.
All makes have posers.
collas says:
06:54 AM, 02/14/09
$
$34,000,THEY MUST BE KIDDING ???,FOR A MINI ???? WAY OVERPRICED .
chisss says:
07:50 AM, 02/14/09
Couple of things...
1.- $34K??? well there is the BMW pricing... it's nuts
2.- They are using the same engine to haul (estimate) 3300lbs? that engine is gonna be overworked in no time, it is not going to last too long, especialy when it has to work for both front and rear wheels...
I love the MINI but really they should just leave it alone... What's next? a sedan version of the SMART?
yelreda says:
06:41 PM, 02/14/09
The Mini was supposed to be a resurrection of the original mini, which was correctly done by offering only two models, the base mini, and the s mini.
Then they started offering the (what I consider)ugly one with the clubman.
Now a fwd suv? with minis 4cyl?
tsk, tsk tsk. Not good.
BMW could've developed a different brand for FWD purposes, if they wanted to get more of the market!
tcd223 says:
01:09 PM, 02/24/09
While most of these comments make sense(34k for a Mini is ridiculous), the one disparaging the Porsche Cayenne does not. Name a legitimate reason that the development of the Cayenne has been bad for Porsche. Do 911 enthusiasts love their cars any less as a result of seeing Cayennes all over the road? No, because as its been stated many times from various sources, the success of the Cayenne has allowed Porsche to build things like the 997 GT3.
darex says:
04:41 PM, 04/28/09
Is there any difference between this and the BMW X1?
I thought not (at least, not in the 4WD configuration).
So, the MINI will be $34,000, and the BMW $39,000 ;-)
jscion says:
10:39 AM, 05/10/09
Not sure who would buy a $34K front-wheel drive 4-cylinder crossover. That price cuts right into BMW territory where you can get a 6-cylinder engine in a 1-Series or a 3-Series.
beemerhead says:
09:43 PM, 05/10/09
These comments are probably not from people who live in Colorado or similar states. I think there is a large demand, not just from Mini fanatics. AWD/4WD is huge. I do think the pricing will be an issue, though. Part of that might be due to the weakening dollar. Get used to all imports being under pressure for the same reason.
The Clubman has sold pretty well and when gas spiked my local dealership had sold every single car except the demo models. Not one on the lot. There are a lot of variables, but I think this is a great idea.
As someone mentioned, though. It does raise the question of where the impending X1 will fit. There's not much room between an X-Mini and an X-3 for size and capacity differences.