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 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[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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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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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 AWD system adapted especially for the MINI's configuration.

[Source: Motoring File]

MINI Crossman CUV to use 1-Series parts originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMW X1BmwX1MINI Crossman CUVMINI SUVMiniCrossmanCuvMiniSuvThu, 20 Dec 2007 15:25:00 EST