Top secret MINI 4x4 in the works: The Colorado
Early last year, while sitting in the passenger seat of cab on the Las Vegas strip, I caught a brief glimpse of a mutant MINI in the adjacent lane. The 'lil hatch had undergone serious suspension surgery, having been jacked up a few inches and then outfitted with a set of aftermarket wheels, wrapped in knobby rubber. While enduring both the cab ride over and a performance of "O", daydreams of the owner relentlessly flogging the MINI, far away from the neon halo of Sin City, bounced around in my mind.
The idea of an off-roading MINI was a novelty then, but back in November, AutoExpress caught wind of a rumor that BMW was currently developing some manner of all-wheel-drive system to fit within the tight confines of their retro-hatch.
Now, Gabe over at MotoringFile has revealed that such a beast is under development and is being referred to internally as the Colorado.
This next spin-off of the brand will likely be based off an SUV version of the 1-series and may be manufactured at BMW's highly flexible Spartanburg, SC plant or Magna Steyr, since BMW's other production centers are at capacity.
Although the MINI faithful will surely view this as a dilution of the marque, if the Colorado can combine some light off-road capabilities, while still maintaining the MINI's iconic chuckability, we're all for it.
[Source: Motoring File]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mkbruin 10:37AM (1/19/2007)
I think GM has the rights to the name 'Colorado' in that is, um, is currently in use in the Colroado/Canyon/I350.
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Chris 11:20AM (1/19/2007)
And how does the rights to the name Colorado stop BMW from referring to it as that internally? If you name your kid Colorado, will GM sue you?
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Tim UF 11:37AM (1/19/2007)
This is what the original RAV4 was... somehow that got americanized and bloated (CR-V too), despite being incredibly popular in their original size.
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XGC75 3:18PM (1/19/2007)
Mini will never use Colorado as the car's designation. Colorado is the inside name (think Manhattan Project).
I would personally love to see Mini unveil a tiny SUV in their marquee... perhaps as a concept but the idea of an off-road capable SUV built off this very small platform sounds like LOADS of fun :).
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matt 12:53PM (1/19/2007)
How can GM 'own' the name Colorado? I think the people from the state of Colorado would have something to say about it.
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Peter 12:05PM (1/19/2007)
#2
No, but your kid will.
The project name for what turned out to be the Cayenne/Touareg was Colorado as well, BTW.
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landoncube 12:17PM (1/19/2007)
I kinda like 'Col-road-o.'
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Captain Obvious 12:53PM (1/19/2007)
Can you register a trademark/tradename or otherwise copy just the name of a state? I would think not. Anyone want to look into that?
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Howard Kerr 2:00PM (1/19/2007)
What next? A convertible version...combining features from ALL the different types of vehicles on the road today?
Didn't Suzuki market something like this once? Shades of the old Samurai?
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Peter 1:24PM (1/19/2007)
#6. Sure. A search at the USPTO for trademarks containing "Colorado" gives over 900 hits...
#7
When it comes to cars (and only then), they do:
Typed Drawing
Word Mark COLORADO
Goods and Services IC 012. US 019 021 023 031 035 044. G & S: Motor land vehicles, namely, automobiles, trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans, engines therefor and structural parts thereof. FIRST USE: 20031113. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20031113
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Design Search Code
Serial Number 75915373
Filing Date February 2, 2000
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition July 25, 2000
Registration Number 2813324
Registration Date February 10, 2004
Owner (REGISTRANT) General Motors Corporation CORPORATION DELAWARE 300 Renaissance Center P.O. Box 300 Detroit MICHIGAN 482653000
Attorney of Record Timothy G. Gorbatoff
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
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klon 2:24PM (1/19/2007)
I fail to see the point.
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MikeW 3:10PM (1/19/2007)
Haldex Mini.
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Taylor Alexander 3:54PM (1/19/2007)
Damn... and here i expected the article to say that they were gonna make an even more amazingly handling AWD mini sports car, THAT would be awesome.... But an SUV...? WTF?
-Taylor
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British_Rover 4:19PM (1/19/2007)
UGhhhhhh god why. You can't have a MINI SUV. You can have a MINI wagon, and a converitable and even a tiny little MINI truck but not a SUV.
Build an AWD 250 hp MINI Supercar but not a SUV>
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shadowhawk 4:58PM (1/19/2007)
#14- right on. Whilst i'd love to see how they develop an AWD Mini Moke, I'd love to see a rallye-spec'd MINI option. It still makes me wonder that even with the JCW GP version, a good Scubie (and driver) can still outperform it.
I guess I still am upset about not getting my WRC fix from the Speed Channel any longer...
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Peter Jubb 7:26PM (1/19/2007)
Another example of how MINI and BMW are copying the Suzuki Alto Works. First they copy the name, Mini Cooper S "Works"; then they copy the actual concept of Compact AWD. I'll take my 1990 Alto Works RS-R 4WD over this overpriced BMW poopypants anyday.
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Thomas Queen 7:27PM (1/19/2007)
It's probably for rally purposes...the original Mini was well suited for it, and it makes sence for MINI to make an updated model...
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