Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rumormill: Mini delaying U.S. launch of Countryman crossover]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/report-mini-delaying-u-s-launch-of-countryman-crossover/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/report-mini-delaying-u-s-launch-of-countryman-crossover/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/report-mini-delaying-u-s-launch-of-countryman-crossover/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mini Countryman concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

A couple weeks back, we told you that the unveiling of the production Mini Countryman may be delayed from the Detroit Auto Show in January to the Geneva Motor Show in March. The reasoning behind the move was reportedly due to the fact that Countryman production couldn't begin at Magna International's Austrian assembly plant until assembly of the BMW X3 was moved from the Magna plant to Bimmer's facility in South Carolina.

Now, the well-connected Mini fanatics over at MotoringFile are reporting that Mini's first-ever crossover could be delayed by up to a year here in the States, with first deliveries pushed to early 2011. The reported reasoning for the delay is that such an important launch could see minimal success in a down economic climate, While we could definitely see how the woeful (yet perhaps slowly improving) auto industry might hinder the initial success of the Countryman launch, we're thinking Mini's expanding U.S. dealer base would be more than thrilled to have some additional help on the showroom floor - especially as Mini sees the Countryman as the larger, more spacious alternative for customers who have outgrown their Mini Cooper.

We're thinking the Mini Countryman sounds pretty interesting to us, with the expected availability of an "All4" all-wheel drive system, two JCW versions and multiple efficient engine choices. Add seating for four full-sized human beings and some additional cargo space and Mini could be looking at a winner - provided that bigger and taller doesn't kill the nimble handling that makes Mini so much fun.


Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept


[Source: MotoringFile]

Rumormill: Mini delaying U.S. launch of Countryman crossover originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMWCountrymancrossmanminimini 4x4mini coopermini countrymanmini countryman 2011mini countryman delayMini CrossmanMini4x4MiniCooperMiniCountrymanMiniCountryman2011MiniCountrymanDelayMiniCrossmanWed, 11 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: MINI GTI-fighter based on Crossover?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/06/rumormill-mini-gti-fighter-based-on-crossover/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/06/rumormill-mini-gti-fighter-based-on-crossover/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/06/rumormill-mini-gti-fighter-based-on-crossover/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


MINI Crossover Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

With the release of the Clubman, bigger MINIs have arrived and the MINI Crossover concept signals more are on the way. Lest you think that BMW's little guys have gone truckin' crazy, there's supposedly a sporty variant of the five-door MINI 'ute in the works. The butch wagon will have 180 hp on tap to fend off Volkswagen GTIs (Autocar's confusing assessment, not ours), and if that's not enough, a Works version will deliver around 220 hp. You can't have a high-performance version without high-zoot duds, and there's bound to be a distinctive body-kit to go along with the engine's fortitude. Interior upgrades will be aimed at keeping the driver planted and looking fancier, too. Expect the first Crossover to bow sometime next year, with the slightly hotter version coming towards the end of 2010, followed by the JCW variant in 2011.


Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept


[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: MINI GTI-fighter based on Crossover? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 May 2009 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mini clubmanmini coopermini crossmanmini crossman cuvmini crossovermini crossover conceptmini gtmini gtimini gti fighterMiniClubmanMiniCooperMiniCrossmanMiniCrossmanCuvMiniCrossoverMiniCrossoverConceptMiniGtMiniGtiMiniGtiFighterWed, 06 May 2009 19:02:00 EST<![CDATA[2011 MINI Crossover coming to Frankfurt in production form]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/28/2011-mini-crossover-coming-to-frankfurt-in-production-form/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/28/2011-mini-crossover-coming-to-frankfurt-in-production-form/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/28/2011-mini-crossover-coming-to-frankfurt-in-production-form/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a gallery of the MINI Crossover Concept

According to BMW, the reception to its MINI Crossover Concept from the Paris Motor Show was so positive that the automaker approved the project for production in 2011 just four weeks after it debuted. The production version of the jacked-up MINI CUV is slated to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, which is right on schedule with earlier projections. Don't expect to see the concept's trick rear doors or the side-hinged driver's side portal on the production model, which will instead rely on four normal front-hinged openings and a standard tailgate. Also on the menu is an optional four-wheel drive system complete with low range when drivers want to tackle the Rubicon, which is, of course, never.

According to sources at MINI, the car will retain the brand's trademark kart-like handling, in spite of the ample ground clearance and meaty rolling stock that will be required on a vehicle with off-road intensions. In any case, the biggest MINI won't come cheap. Expect the 2011 MINI Crossover to pick up where the current range lets off, with a base price of around $29K. MINI also promises a full range of available options, so consider that figure nothing more than a vague starting point for the customizers among us.

Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept


[Source: Inside Line]

2011 MINI Crossover coming to Frankfurt in production form originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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 standard MINI to be offered, along with all-wheel-drive, when the MINI Crossover hits the market late next year.

Gallery: Spy Shots: MINI SUV


Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept

Spy Shots: MINI SUV/Crossover caught messing with perception originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crossmancrossovermaximinimini crossmanmini crossovermini maxiMiniCrossmanMiniCrossoverMiniMaxispy photosspy shotsSpyPhotosSpyShotsWed, 29 Oct 2008 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Production MINI Crossover spotted!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/17/spy-shots-production-mini-crossover-spotted/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/17/spy-shots-production-mini-crossover-spotted/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/17/spy-shots-production-mini-crossover-spotted/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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.com]

Spy Shots: Production MINI Crossover spotted! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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 that for the factory studio shots, and let us know what you think of the two-faced concept car in our comments section.

Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept LIVE


Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept

Paris 2008: MINI Crossover Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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]

Paris unveiling rumored for MINI SUV originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 May 2008 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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 something to be said for that.

[Source: Autoweek]

Spy Shots: MINI Crossman flashes its rump originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Could it be true? Could there be an as-yet-unheard-of MINI variant added to the pile? Spy pics of some yellow beastly thing wearing a MINI front and rear have a few folks wondering if MINI might make a Moke. The original MINI Moke from the sixties was an offroad vehicle that Alec Issigonis was trying to sell to the military. We doubt BMW would have any such aims for a Moke revival, but at the very least it could be a much more capable four-wheeler than the Crossman/Monte looks like it's going to be. A "possible retractable hard-top convertible, or a stripped down, open-air speedster variant," and even the possibility of a small truck bed have been thrown into the guessing game basket. Or, as ever, it could just be a test mule and mean nothing at all. But knowing MINI, we doubt it. Oh, and BMW might also want to change the car's name: moke means a dull or boring person, a donkey, or an old, broken-down horse.

[Source: Winding Road]

Spy Shots: Mystery MINI mule a MINI Moke? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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 -- LR2? Nevertheless, when the Crossman goes on sale, and, we predict, sells well, it will move for about £20,000 in the UK.

[Source: Auto Express]

Spy Shots: MINI Crossman CUV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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