Filed under: Concept Cars, Paris Motor Show, Crossovers/CUVs, MINI
Pics aplenty: MINI Crossover Concept
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.
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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TJ 12:37PM (9/10/2008)
Pathetic.
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No Welfare for GM 12:55PM (9/10/2008)
The Whole Concept is Pathethic, a Mini CUV--please. But that Sliding door looks cool, and it makes perfect sense too.
I hope Mazda RX-8 will get that door as well. I can't believe i am saying this but a sliding door makes sense on sport cars.
zamafir 12:38PM (9/10/2008)
wow, this is a 'new' concept? what does mini just refresh the same conept every year and swap the tea maker out? color me unimpressed.
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Gregg 12:40PM (9/10/2008)
Doesn't matter what we think. This thing will sell like hotcakes. It has more 'Mini-ness" about it than the rather awkward Clubman. Mini and BMW will have no sleepless nights over naysayers here.
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TJ 12:44PM (9/10/2008)
sell like hotcakes? What are you smoking! This will tank faster than the merc R class!
Gregg 12:49PM (9/10/2008)
No, what are you smoking, TJ? You really think a terminally cute ute made by Mini is not going to sell? Especially now? You may not get the appeal, but that doesn't matter. It will sell.
chop 12:42PM (9/10/2008)
hmm literally seems when mini wants to release a new car, they take their "original" mini, and stretch the dimensions to resemble a new car. in this case a crossover. they needa fire their designers!
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Rocketboy 1:27PM (9/10/2008)
Well, maybe not fire all of them, but they need to rehire Frank Stepheson to get them back on course.
Jason 2:01PM (9/10/2008)
It's built by a German automaker, would you expect anything less? Just look at BMWs, VWs, Audis... they all look exactly the same within their respective brands, you simply get your choice of small, medium, or large.
And how else would you design it such that it still was instantly recognizable as a Mini? The Mini's design/style/look is iconic, and defined the marque as much as anything else, so anything bearing the Mini logo has to look the part, regardless of how many doors it has.
homunculus 12:43PM (9/10/2008)
i think it looks pretty nice, kind of a mini qx35, obviously.
wouldn't be caught dead driving it though.
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TJ 12:46PM (9/10/2008)
Yeah, kind of like one of those, minus curves, originality, aesthetics, grace, appeal, power, and luxury appointments. If you mean it is also a two box design... yeah.
Isuzu32 12:44PM (9/10/2008)
Needs 35's and Detroit Lockers.
just kidding
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Adam Marcello 12:56PM (9/10/2008)
This is what the clubman should have been. The back end looks proper with the styling and it looks like its quite functional in comparison to the clubman.
Im going to have to go against the crowd and say I like this concept.
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EXP Jawa 12:57PM (9/10/2008)
I don't know what this thing is, but a Mini it is not... Perhaps they should dig out the name "Minor" for the Mini's larger cousin...
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Rich 4:20PM (9/10/2008)
...or, given that it's an ugly pig version of the original, call this a Riley Elf.
mkM3 12:58PM (9/10/2008)
Seems like they are experminenting with the asymmetric door layour. I expect the traditional doors like on the right side will make production, even though the left side setup is pretty neat and it would be cool to see it. I also kinda doubt that the rear will keep the single swinging door. It'll probably get double doors like the Clubman or just get a liftgate instead.
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Dave 1:05PM (9/10/2008)
Alec must be turning in his grave.
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Rocketboy 1:29PM (9/10/2008)
Yes, Alec had the original idea, but don't forget, he was dead-set against factory sponsored racing. So Huzza for the idea, but after that he was just a grumpy man with no passion for automotive fun.
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mkM3 1:55PM (9/10/2008)
BTW, am I the only left confused by the crazy crystal-ball/snow-globe like thing on the center of the dash? It can show a globe or a third person view of the car or something. I guess this is just a mockup of some crazy idea that is really feasible or even practical?
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EXP Jawa 1:09PM (9/10/2008)
It's not just you. I don't get it either. Showing the globe is a neat thing for a nav system to do, I suppose. But can't we assume that the driver will at least know what continent they're on?