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Filed under: Spy Photos , Crossovers/CUVs , MINI Click above for a high-res gallery of the MINI Crossover The crew from KGP have finally caught the MINI Crossover/Crossman/Maxi undergoing testing and its acid-inspired duds aren't the only things BMW is employing to confuse our shooters. The cloaked headlamps hide a new set of eyes inspired by the Crossover concept that bowed in Paris , while the funky side door arrangement has been dropped in favor of a more traditional set of hinged openings. On first glance, the rear appears to mimic the barn door arrangement fitted to the Clubman, but closer inspection reveals that the hatch is only bisected by some well-placed vinyl, giving the illusion of two doors. Looking at the tail lamps and crease ahead of the spoiler, it appears that the MINI CUV will be using a traditional top-hinged hatch - a welcome addition considering the compromised rear view of the Clubman. Expect naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.6-liter engines pulled from the...
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Filed under: Spy Photos , Crossovers/CUVs , MINI Beneath all that ridiculous (though pretty darn effective) yellow and black paisley camouflage sits the new MINI Crossover. First shown in concept form at the Paris Motor Show , at 162-inches long, the new MINI CUV is quite a bit larger than its other older stablemates. At what point is a MINI not so mini any more? This could be it, as the spy photographers point out that it appears larger than the BMW 1-Series that shares a number of parts with. Lost in the translation from show car to test mule are the unique doors , which appear to have been replaced with a standard, run-of-the-mill four door body style. The rear hatch also opens from the top instead of sideways like on the concept, though it's been taped-up to appear like the barn-door style portals from the Clubman . The whole shebang's been lifted a bit and all four wheels are driven. Expect both gasoline and diesel four-bangers under the pointy-snouted hood. [Source: NextAutos...
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Filed under: Crossovers/CUVs , BMW Click either image for a high-res gallery For better or worse, the BMW X1 "concept" and MINI Crossover are destined for production. BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer maintains that both models will do well in these economic and fuel-conscious times, but the X7 - originally slated for production in 2013 - has been killed due to the CUV's inability to "generate sufficient growth," according to Automotive News . The MINI is expected to hit the market in 2010, while the X1 will arrive in the U.S. later that year or in early 2011. While Reithofer admits that the X6 is a niche vehicle, he contends that the X1 has the ability to be a more mainstream player in the market. To which we ask: how? While a biggie MINI may be a contradiction in terms and execution, the crossover at least has some nostalgia and style on its side. On the other hand, the X1 doesn't seem to bring much to the table and risks cannibalizing sales of its slightly large sibling...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Paris Motor Show , Crossovers/CUVs , MINI Click above for a hi-res gallery of the MINI Crossover Concept Some concepts are purely design exercises, while others serve as previews of upcoming production models. It's rare for one show car to serve as both, but then MINI is unique in the business. The Crossover concept that the BMW subsidiary unveiled here at the Paris Motor Show has a bit of a Dark Knight villain thing going for it. On one side it's got an unusual door configuration, big show-car wheels and a decidedly conceptual turquoise-highlighted paint scheme. On the other it's more staid, with conventional doors, a more conventional color palette and an altogether more production-feasible appearance. Up top and inside everything's all fantasy, however, with the cloth roof and trick glass infotainment system we reported on earlier. Click the thumbnails below to see the MINI Crossover Concept live from the Paris show floor, and the gallery below...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Paris Motor Show , Crossovers/CUVs , MINI Click above for a high-res gallery of the MINI Crossover Concept Judging by your response to the MINI Crossover Concept in our original post , the new micro 'ute's styling leaves a bit to be desired. We're not entirely sold on the idea or its execution ourselves, but have decided to hold off final judgment until we see it in all its conceptual glory next month at the Paris Motor Show . In the meantime, we've assembled 48 high-res images of the MINI Crossover Concept into a gallery, giving you a clear view of the jacked-up 4x4's minivanesque sliding side door, folding cloth roof and odd glass sat-nav. Check all the pics below. Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Paris Motor Show , Crossovers/CUVs , MINI Click above for a gallery of the MINI Crossover Concept It's finally arrived folks... and it's not the coming apocalypse. MINI has released the first official images of the Crossover Concept, proving that BMW not only has a sense of humor, but that it's serious about bringing an all-wheel-drive MINI to market in 2010. These initial images give us a clear indication of how future MINIs will be styled, and if BMW's reputation for making only a few revisions from concept to production hold true, this is very close to the finished product. Measuring about six inches wider and taller than the Clubman, the Crossover Concept features a five-door body style, but that's where the similarities end. The right rear door has a conventional hinge, but the left door slides out and back, minivan-style. The rear hatch ditches the Clubman's dual doors and is instead fitted with a single panel that opens to the right...
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Filed under: Crossovers/CUVs , Hatchbacks , BMW , MINI , Alfa Romeo , FIAT BMW and Fiat have already announced their intentions to collaborate on a new small car platform that will underpin the next MINI, due in 2012 or 2013, along with the successor to the Fiat Grande Punto and Alfa Romeo MiTo. However, a new platform developed by Fiat and dubbed the C-Evo will be used as the basis for a larger MINI, due out in 2015. It's unclear whether the C-Evo architecture will underpin the MINI AWD compact utility vehicle, but according to Automotive News , the platform will be capable of housing both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive powertrains, and will serve as the platform for the new Alfa Romeo 147, which will be released sometime next year. Fiat and BMW are also in talks to co-develop a new range of new gasoline and diesel engines, including a 1.6-liter four-pot and 1.2-liter, three-cylinder that will be used on FWD vehicles. The decision to share platforms and engines has reportedly been...
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Filed under: SUVs , Paris Motor Show , Crossovers/CUVs , MINI After nearly three years of rumors and speculation, the new jacked-up MINI SAV will finally make its debut, according to Autocar . The Brit pub is reporting that the MINI 'ute is bound for Paris, with an on-sale date sometime in 2010 and sporting a five-door design. Questions still remain about what platform the new all-wheel-drive model will be based on, with sources suggesting it will either be based around the Clubman's architecture, making use of a new upper-body structure, or the current Cooper's chassis, using the front end and employing a new floorpan to accommodate the AWD system and new seating positions. Regardless of what's underpinning the SAV, MINI has to justify the R&D, so if the biggie-sized MINI proves successful, there's a possibility that a front-wheel-drive variant will be offered on the same chassis, oxymoronically dubbed the MINI "Maxi." Production is expected to begin late...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Paris Motor Show , Crossovers/CUVs , BMW , MINI With last week's news that BMW will begin producing the new X1 at its Leipzig facility , it was just a matter of time before the Bavarian boys gave us an indication as to when its compact CUV would be unveiled. As suspected, the wraps will be pulled off an X1 concept at the Paris Motor Show this September, but as is often the case with BMW, the "concept" is almost exactly what we'll see when it goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2009. The new model will be built off the 1-series platform (a shortened 3-series) and according to an unnamed source quoted by Automotive News , "will use the two highest spec gasoline and the two highest spec diesel engines from the 1-series." The source also confirmed earlier reports that the MINI SUV/CUV will debut in Paris with power provided by the Cooper S' turbocharged 1.4-liter or the Cooper D's oilburner. Sales of the MINI 'ute will begin...
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Filed under: Paris Motor Show , Crossovers/CUVs , MINI , Rumormill Common sense says that MINI is gearing up to unveil its convertible Cooper before the end of the year, but according to AutoTelegraaf, the purveyors of everyone's favorite retromobile is planning to debut its new SUV in Paris. The Dutch site claims that the cabrio version of the Cooper and Cooper S won't make an appearance until the Spring of 2009, but the jacked-up Crossman CUV could launch around the same time. The "Crossman" is slated to be produced by Magna Steyr , riding 80 mm higher than standard MINIs and will be powered by the same 1.6-liter naturally aspirated and turbocharged mills found in the Cooper and Clubman, and their S-badged counterparts. Magna says that it will be producing 80,000 Crossmans (Crossmen?) each year on an entirely new platform that allows the use of both AWD and FWD drivetrains. [Source: AutoTelegraaf via Motor Authority ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Spy Photos , Crossovers/CUVs , Hatchbacks , MINI Seemingly a rolling contradiction in terms, the upcoming MINI SUV model, previously (but probably not officially ) known as the Crossman, has been seen out in the wild again. Like before , the little SUV wears very little clothing, leaving almost all of its altered-bits out in the open. After looking at the previous set of spy shots and the newest one here , we just can't see the not-a-Crossman doing any off-roading. Soft-roading... maybe, but we honestly think this is a vehicle that will never see anything worse than bad weather. Naming and classification reservations aside, MINI may not have much trouble moving curb-busting Coopers off of dealers' lots, as many enthusiasts will likely be drawn to the availability of all-wheel drive on a MINI for the first time. Not only that, this vehicle could be one of the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive vehicles on the market in the U.S., save for hte Suzuki SX-5, and there's...
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Filed under: SUVs , Crossovers/CUVs , MINI Sure, the title is oxymoronic, but it's just a matter of time before MINI unveils its beefed-up 'ute. CAR put its crack team of 3D modeling wizards on the job to show what a mud-plugging MINI could look like, and surprising, it's not all that bad. While the design stays true to MINI's traditional cues, the larger front fascia, ribbed roofline and increased ride height gives the 4x4 a more rugged appearance. It all seems plausible, but the extra set of doors remain complete theoretical since MINI still hasn't released any specifics. Power is supposedly provided by the Cooper S' 175 hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four cylinder, but if the SUV/CUV packs on the pounds, the forced induction mill might not be able to provide the necessary get-up-and-go. A diesel is likely to be available and it's rumored that Getrag has been tapped to provide the transmission and all-wheel-drive system. The 'ute is expected to be unveiled sometime...
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Filed under: Spy Photos , Crossovers/CUVs , MINI Spy photographers have caught the MINI Crossman practically naked. Unless BMW is keeping the car's final ride height a secret, this looks to be a branding exercise extraordinaire: the car is but a few millimeters higher than the Clubman. Its "rough-road" credentials are supposedly validated by the larger wheels, slightly longer wheelbase than the Clubman and a rear differential for AWD. Auto Express claims the Crossman is meant to steal sales from the Land Rover Freelander, or the LR2 in America. Not that it won't -- after all, it is a MINI and they seem to be able to do as they please. But the Freelander is larger in every dimension and a genuine Land Rover off-roader. While we know the LR2 doesn't see much duty in the wild, we bet it can handle rough urban trials (like New England winters, say) far better than a MINI on tiptoes. Have MINI buyers really been asking for a much smaller and far less capable -- but cuter...
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Filed under: Crossovers/CUVs , BMW , MINI Motoring File is reporting that the upcoming MINI CUV dubbed Crossman will share elements with the BMW X1 SUV that itself is based on the 1-Series. You heard that right: the MINI Crossman will have parts from the 1-Series, although we don't know which ones will be crossing over just yet. The cross-use of components will save time to market and production costs for both brands. Hopefully the strategy will also keep both new utility vehicles around the same price as their competitors, unlike the BMW 1-series . Recent spy shots show the Crossman to have the appearance of a raised Clubman, but while the test vehicle only contains two doors, the production version is actually expected to sport four. It will also be larger in every dimension over a standard Clubman, so the pics we keep seeing of a raised Clubman like the one above don't really tell the whole story. Also, don't worry, as the component sharing does entail the inclusion of an...
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Filed under: Crossovers/CUVs , Hatchbacks , MINI The MINI has been on a growth spurt since the introduction of the second-generation model. With the 3½-door Clubman wagon on its way to dealerships, the new convertible set to follow, and even a sports-coupe derivative rumored to be in the works, the BMW division is focusing on the development of a crossover based on the MINI. No big news there, we've been watching the spy shots roll in for months now. The surprise, however, is that it won't be called the Colorado as previously thought. No, that was just a working title, an internal codename. It won't be called the Monte, either, as previous reports suggested. According to a recent interview in German publication Auto Motor und Sport , MINI's CEO Kay Segler said the retro soft-roader will likely be called "Crossman". Magna-Steyr is expected to build 80,000 Crossmans (Crossmen?) at its factory in Austria each year, starting in 2010. The name, of course...
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