October30
It’s no secret MINI is working on an off-road-capable version of its popular Cooper — parent company BMW officially confirmed this over a month ago. What’s more, recent spy photos serve as proof development has begun. Now, an artist’s illustration gives us a good idea of what to expect.
Our artist’s computer rendering is based on what we’ve already learned from spy photos and the rumor mill. Prototypes were last spotted in mule form in Germany last week.
Although the mule photographed was wearing the body of the Clubman S, it looks to have a slightly higher ride height than a standard Clubman. There also appears to be two strips of material attached to the mule’s roof, possibly to simulate the inherent added weight of an SUV.
The car’s exhaust also indicates that this isn’t a standard issue Clumbman S. A typical Clubman S has dual exhaust, something this mule lacks. Instead, the mule has a single exhaust outlet protruding from the left slide.
While the styling of the new SUV is expected to be unmistakably MINI, it remains unclear just how rugged the final product will be.
Illustration
Spy Photos
The Mini brand extension is a mistake.
Why isn’t the anti-Hummer crowd throwing an international protest over this?
Maybe they should change the name of their company from Mini to Gigantic
I love the Mini I think it’s one of the most stylish fun to drive little cars to come out and they can be pretty quick with some work, but an SUV even a small one like like a crossover is just a mistake. BMW has SUVs and while they don’t have anything inside the price point that this will likely be in, I think it is a mistake to expand a small branch like mini into a company that provides multiple classes of vehicles. BTW is there anything “mini” about an SUV?
Does a station wagon that sits an inch or two higher than the “car” version constitute an SUV? It sounds like a jacked up station wagon to me. I remember when SUVs were off-road machines. It infuriates me that people are so dumb to think that a jacked up minivan that rides like a Cadillac is an SUV. Take that pile out to a sand pit or down a river and tell me how much sport it has. I’d bet my 1998 Ford Econoline would do as well off roading as any new “SUV.” I vote we change it to SMV. Soccer Mom Vehicle. There’s nothing Sport or Utility about SUVs anymore.
If they want to extend the line how about a fast back coupe with a nicer dash layout.
It only makes sense to produce an offering for the fastest growing segment. It would take a moron to think a company should only produce one vehicle for one niche market and succeed. Cross overs exist because people are sick of driving boxes, and need more room than a typical car can provide. Any car smaller than a midsize now a days has a problem even fitting a stroller in the trunk.
XJ: If you can call a Subaru Forrester and SUV, you can call this an SUV
R-Head: You may recall some time ago, i reported seeing a Hummer with dirt on it. Now, wonder of wonders, i’ve seen a Hummer being used for TOWING!
What next?
scott: good idea
j-cat: all the mini drivers I know fit into two catergories.
1) attractive young childless women
2) old bald white guys with adult children.
No strollers needed
waste of time. i already hate the mini cluman and im sure i’ll hate this too
something coming
I believe that I saw this mule the other day leading a funeral procession. The coffin was sticking out of open back doors a bit, but all-in-all it made a good hearse.
Looks to be running on 1 series running gear (Note: 5 stud wheels, more slender rear suspension lower arms, 1 series rim design etc). It will sell well, no doubt, but the challenge for MINI will be making it drive as well as the hatchback and the Clubman. Should be interesting to see how it turns out. Hope they use the Moke name (Clubman Moke S anyone?!?). It will undoubtedly be rubbish off road , but really, will anyone take one off road - highly unlikely. Rather than an SUV (which itself is a mis-nomer - Sport Utility Vehicle, think about that, makes no sense (what happened to calling them 4×4’s??)) will probably be toted by BMW as another member of there SAV line-up.
Something Suzuki has done with the SX4. In Mini’s case, the added weight is going to prove fatal to the brand! It is everything that the original Mini is not.
Oh I mis-spoke, the SX4 is not an SUV, more like tall wagon, which I think is what this Mini truly is. Otherwise, added weight + high center of gravity = stiff ride or body roll galore!
And if you think run flat tires are expensive, wait till you try to buy some in SUV/truck size.
God no.
“Mini” and “SUV” do not belong in the same sentence, let alone next to each other. The word “Mini” is a complete contraction to SUVs.
No no no no no xxxx that
id want to see a Mini Suv…gigantically mini..
I don’t call a Forester an SUV. I call it a station wagon. I call a 1991 Suburban an SUV. I’d pit my neighbor’s 1991 Burb against any current SUV in real SUV tasks like mudding, pulling huge trailers, pulling stuck vehicles out of the mud, pretty much anything that doesn’t involve asphalt or cement. Heck. I’d pit my XJ-S against a Mini SUV at real SUV tasks.
BTW, XJ is not XJ-S. There’s a 6 cylinder difference in the two. My car is a V-12 not a straight 6.
The Mini Cooper IS Mini. There’s no reason for a brand extension, it’s a niche brand for a niche car that people like because it is what it is. Changing it to spawn new models will only destroy what people like about it.
that looks like the product of a drunken one night stand between a ford kuga and a regular mini.
Well it is made in Britain on German coin, so let it be SUV. Although I think it is just a 4 wheel drive small car. Since they drop diesel into it, extra weight of all wheel drive has little or no burden on the motor. I guess the same holds true for the turbocharged engine. The plain vanilla 118 hp motor probably will struggle. There is an inch visible difference in height compare to clubman.
the illustration picture makes the mini look like a shocked frog naaaaassssstttyyyyy!!!!!!!
The Mini SUV will look exceedingly turdly as do all the new Minis.
If it does look like the rendering, those are some massive headlights! (ugly also)
What SUV? What the **** are these idiots talking about? Does this look like an SUV to anyone?
I don’t see any harm in Mini trying to grow the brand. This vehicle will appeal to those who like the styling of the Mini brand, but find the size of its cars impractical for their needs. As long as Mini expands its lineup within the perimeters of its brand heritage, then I don’t see any reason not to offer more variants for the market. I think this is a smart addition to their lineup.
Just in time for Halloween, it’s the Mini Cooper Frankenstein SUV edition.
Good Lord…
It looks like a Mini with a thyroid problem. I’m sure Sir Alec Issigonis is spinning in his grave…
I’ll admit I imagined it a lot worse, but I still think its a mistake for Mini to have an SUV. Don’t give them one BMW. What’s next? You are going to give Rolls Royce a Phantom SUV too?
This is NOT an SUV. It will never go mud slinging or mountain climbing. It’s a crossover. It will be little more than a four door Mini that sits a little higher and will be slightly taller, wider, and longer. The way some people act you would think this thing is going to dwarf a blasted Suburban. I see it falling somewhere between the current Scion xB and first generation Toyota RAV4 in size. It’s a way for Mini to increase sales by offering a product in what is currently the hottest vehicle segment. There are people who would like to own a Mini because of its looks but can’t because of its diminutive size. This vehicle will reconcile that issue for potential customers and increase sales for the Mini brand.
Sure the small SUV or cross-over market is hot, but the Ugliness of the illustration will not reconcile with any customers, unless you are drunk. It looks like a bloated frog ready to puke.
I sure would like to know what’s so poisonous about the term “station wagon,” since that’s what this is — and the Forester, and the Taurus X, etc… they’re not “crossovers” and they’re sure as hell not SUVs.
The MINI is a great little car but everyone knows it’s not built very well. Any off-road action will destroy a MINI. So the “MINI SUV” is a false promise, which is fatal for a brand built on authenticity.
Stupid idea.
It would be a damn shame if Mini did an SUV, but it sounds like they will. It flies in the face of everything the original Mini stood for… a small, space efficient, economical, original CAR. It’s a stupid, stupid idea. Chaulk another one up to simple “me too” corporate greed.
It just can’t look like that. Please to God it won’t. A 4×4 Mini will kill the spirit of Mini for evermore. I once had a 1960’s Mini. Don’t kill it with this.
Commodore: At one time, the guy in charge at Caddy said they’d never make an SUV.
Rolls SUV would be just Escalade to a high degree. A Polo mom’s car
TomF:people don’t want to call their station wagons “station wagons” because they don’t think that term is cool enough. Forerster and taurus X are station wagons.
Clumbman?