Spy Shots: Mini Cooper Crossover spotted in California
by John Neff on Jul 9th 2009 at 7:29PM 
Mini Cooper Crossover spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery
Mini has been caught testing its upcoming Cooper Crossover in the deserts of California, and these two prototypes, despite their psychedelic paint schemes, provide the most clear view yet of the small soft roader. What's of particular note is that these two prototypes do not share the same front end, perhaps because one is the naturally aspirated model and the other turbocharged. The trailing Cooper Crossover prototype features a more typical Mini grille with horizontal slats and a fog light at each corner. The prototype leading the pack, however, features a mesh grille and lower air intake with two inlets.
Based on the Mini Crossover Concept that debuted at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the production version appears to have more in common with the standard Mini Cooper than the extra large Clubman model. While it does sport an extra pair of doors like the Clubman, these prototypes appear to feature rear lift gates that swing up rather than being split vertically down the center. And while ground clearance does appear to be up relative to a standard Mini, these long-wheelbase, four-door Coopers are far from being rock crawlers.
Check out the rest of our latest spy shots in the high-res gallery below.
Gallery: Mini Cooper Crossover - spy shots
[Photos: KGP Photography]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
VW GTi 7:35PM (7/09/2009)
At least it has 4 real doors.
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BigTeebo 7:36PM (7/09/2009)
I can see a sailboat.
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Taglane 7:36PM (7/09/2009)
So now it should be as roomy as a Yaris.
*rolls eyes hard*
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Ken Stamper 9:48PM (7/09/2009)
If you are complaining about the lack of room in a Mini, then you don't know what it's for.
Taglane 9:51PM (7/09/2009)
No I'm not complaining. But what's the use of four doors when only hobbits can fit in the back.
fixitfixitstop 7:42PM (7/09/2009)
That thing looks huge.
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Protzenegger 9:03AM (7/10/2009)
Not when compared to that Navigator in picture 6.
xtasi 7:42PM (7/09/2009)
Before reading VW GTI's comment, I thought "looks like a Clubman.
Didn't noticet the door handles before.
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Jruhi4 7:43PM (7/09/2009)
I respectfully disagree that it "appears to feature rear lift gates that swing up rather than being split vertically down the center". I see a pretty prominent center split in the sheetmetal below the window.
Could the Mini Crossman, perhaps, have a "Dutch door" arrangement (one-piece swing-up window and two-piece, side-hinged doors) much like later-model Chevy Astro midivans?
Unless, of course, it's all part of the camouflage to make it appear there's a split when there really isn't...
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VW GTi 8:18PM (7/09/2009)
If you study the handle closely you can see that it is just a printed piece of camo. The main door handles are camouflaged though. Why would Mini camouflage the door handles but not the rear hatch handle? They most likely want to fake out spy photographers and speculators.
carspy 11:13PM (7/09/2009)
The prototype has a standard hatch set-up. The cut line on the glass is a piece of tape, and the double door handles are mere graphics. Note the single wiper, which differs from the Clubman's dual wiper set-up.
cdwrx 7:43PM (7/09/2009)
It looks better than the concept. But maybe it's just the camo that improves its looks.
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paul34 8:01PM (7/09/2009)
I feel like at least 35% of the MINI crowd would really want the yellow acid trip color scheme.
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EB 8:12PM (7/09/2009)
I was thinking exactly the same thing.
XGM 1:51AM (7/10/2009)
Id prefer mine in the hi-liter pink and green acid trip colors actually.
David 8:22PM (7/09/2009)
Is MINI making a crossover like Caddy or Lincoln making a truck? Should we expect an RV next?
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alexanjm 8:29PM (7/09/2009)
I saw this test car driving around Santa Monica last Thursday or Friday, but couldn't get a good picture with my phone. It actually looks surprisingly good in person and maintains the MINI attitude.
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Art 9:07PM (7/09/2009)
ha, and people though the cayenne was off-mission for porsche. this is like lamborghini releasing a B segment car.
That isn't roided out with a V10
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bdubsee 8:51PM (7/09/2009)
Now who is ripping off whom? http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/18/lifan-320-mini-ripoff-to-debut-at-beijing/
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RT 9:11PM (7/09/2009)
I know this should offend me . . . but it doesn't. Quite the contrary, I rather like it.
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