The upcoming Mini SUV, thus far dubbed Sports Activity Vehicle, or SAV, is likely to be the basis for a front-wheel drive hatchback in order to keep costs down, today’s reports say. The SAV is due to debut at the Paris motor show this October, though the brand’s biggest hatch isn’t likely to come out until 2012.
There is confusion about what the SAV’s platform will be based on, with some sources maintaining a modified Clubman chassis underpins the vehicle, while others say the existing Mini front end will be welded to a longer floorpan. What is certain is that engineering of the SAV was in part performed by Magna Steyr, with the Austrian company also responsible for producing 80,000 of the vehicle annually. The BMW X3, which is currently assembled at the factory, will make room for the newest Mini when its assembly moves to the U.S.
The new SUV will bring total Mini sales to 340,000 units per year, though analysts believe it needs to sell 500,000 before it can pay for its own R&D programs and not rely on parent BMW to bankroll them, according to Autocar reports.
07/02, 10:12 AM
posted by:
ISMINGELS
Why are they killing such a great thing, this is way too big and goofy.
07/02, 10:28 AM
posted by:
xyunya
Considering unexpected MIni’s success (even in US) and expectations of fuel prices going higher and higher this can be great thing for BMW (and Mini brand).
07/02, 10:31 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Mini’s original campaign was “SUV Backlash.” Now this kind of defeats the purpose, don’t you think?
However, it may be pretty cool. I’d like to see pictures.
07/02, 10:33 AM
posted by:
xyunya
It is more of 4 wheel drive all weather vehicle then SUV, I doubt it will be promoted to cross Sahara or rumble through jungles of Asia.
07/02, 10:49 AM
posted by:
oldraven
There are people talking about this as though Mini hasn’t had it planned since they first modernised under BMW. I think it was maybe a year after the new Mini arrived, BMW started pushing the idea of an AWD version (Moke), Convertible, Pick-up, and 5-dr Wagon (Clubman).
07/02, 11:52 AM
posted by:
jayomatic
Maybe they should focus on making a mini that lasts more than hundred thousand kms, or a transmission that doesn’t implode after 60 thousand.
07/02, 12:00 PM
posted by:
slider5634
^^^^^ Damn straight. I don’t understand it, but everyone I talk to says the clutch on the manuals go right around 60K — atleast with the standard Cooper. I wonder if the Cooper S suffers from the same problem.
07/02, 12:19 PM
posted by:
shaver
I would not touch a 1st gen mini or a convertible.
07/02, 12:56 PM
posted by:
F451
What next, the Mini limousine? They are overusing this model, and it will eventually lead to its demise.
07/02, 1:04 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
I totally agree F451… all the Minis look exactly the same. All we really need now is a MINI-van and a Mini-truck to round out the lineup… and you’ll have a whole car company with identical products. Mini needs to stick to the Cooper and the Convertible… leave this other crap alone.
07/02, 3:27 PM
posted by:
oldraven
Do you people have any clue how many different iterations of the Mini Austin made?
Read and educate your ignorant selves. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini#Variants
I don’t know why people even think of opening their mouths (keyboards) in a setting like this (full of auto enthusiasts) without at least trying to do a little fact checking first.
07/02, 4:37 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
Leave the mini alone. The mini cooper & cooper S should & should HAVE been the only two available. oh well…
& this comment… “There is confusion about what the SAV’s platform will be based on, with some sources maintaining a modified Clubman chassis underpins the vehicle, while others say the existing Mini front end will be welded to a longer floorpan”… whats the difference?!
07/02, 5:50 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
When do we get a Mini Hummer? Last time I got a mini hummer, I got XL Blue Balls.
07/02, 5:50 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
I just made myself laugh at that. It really did happen; the mini hummer.
07/02, 6:54 PM
posted by:
S1L1SC
Mini used to have pickups too.. BMW is just bringing back some of the less known variants. Nothing wrong with that.