#NAIAS Mini attempted to bring the beach to the Detroit auto show today. It had guys on surfboards, Dick Dale music and even a land shark. Oh, there was a car there, too.
It was called the Beachcomber concept and it was dressed up to look like some kind of surf Jeep with no roof or doors. It showed its mettle by cruising in and mounting the nearly 3-foot berm constructed on the show floor. Can't do that in a Clubman. A Corolla, maybe.
All theatrics aside, the Beachcomber is the latest concept version of the Mini Crossover, a production vehicle that will go on sale in Europe later this year and in the U.S. early next year. It will have all-wheel drive, a slightly higher ride height and seating for four. It won't be a true off-roader, just a slightly more rugged and versatile daily driver. Expect to see all the same hardware as the current Mini models, and maybe a diesel version down the road if we're lucky.
firstclass says:
01:57 PM, 01/11/10
I hope no one parks it on the beach because people may mistake it for a new age portable toilet. Perhaps I’m being unfair... for a mini it does look beefy. Unfortunately I don’t see the same brawn in the spy shots of the 2010 Mini crossover.
I live in California and see a lot of Mini’s everyday... I hate to stereotype but Mini’s here are starting to become the quintessential yuppie (short for "young urban professional) brand car. That would be a complement but I think cars that only appeal to one demographic will fail in the long run. That said I hope that mini can apply some of the Beachcomber into the new crossover.
firstwagon says:
03:17 PM, 01/11/10
I find normal Minis appeal to a very wide demographic. Drivers seem to be split evenly between men and women, young and old. (not speaking for California though)
Yes they do appeal to the better paid professional types but that's because they aren't exactly cheap and generally you'll find better educated people are more likely to appreciate the premium quality of the car over larger cruder cars for the same price.
As for the Beachcomber edition, the only interesting thing to me is the open sides and I would be very surprised if that made it into the production model.
brn says:
03:27 PM, 01/11/10
firstwagon: "generally you'll find better educated people are more likely to appreciate the premium quality of the car over larger cruder cars for the same price."
Oh please. Let me rephrase that for you, "people with more money than brains have no problem spending extra for a status symbol"
firstwagon says:
03:39 PM, 01/11/10
I'm not sure I would call a Mini a status symbol.
My point is for the price of a Mini you could buy a base Camary (for example) but you just have to drive the two to see that the Mini is something special and the Camry isn't. Maybe it's a sterotype but I find less educated people have the most trouble seeing past the outdated idea of cars being priced by size.
brn says:
04:36 PM, 01/11/10
The comment comes off snobbish. Only smart people can appreciate a Mini? The Camry provides a lot more for your dollar. Seems like the "smarter" choice to me.
billt9 says:
04:51 PM, 01/11/10
why is it so low to the ground?
firstwagon says:
06:05 PM, 01/11/10
"The comment comes off snobbish"
It does sound that way but it's not meant to be.
(A city bus provides more for money too, doesn't make it better)
cr_driver says:
06:43 PM, 01/11/10
Its a matter of tastes only, no big deal if someone chooses a Mini vrs other options for the price. Thats what the variety is for, and now is becoming better than ever.
jackson611 says:
10:17 PM, 01/11/10
i don't see this car as a car that i would want to drive everyday. however, this would be one hell of a lake toy to cruise around in and to take a quick trip to the city for meals, but only if there is no roof and no doors. it has the same appeal as a jeep, just with better styling and not everybody would have one.
felonious says:
09:26 AM, 01/12/10
So many good caption contests choices this week!
jchjchha says:
12:41 AM, 05/10/10
when i was young I'd like wear the air jordan