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[Spy Shots: MINI SUV/Crossover caught messing with perception]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/29/spy-shots-mini-suv-crossover-caught-messing-with-perception/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/29/spy-shots-mini-suv-crossover-caught-messing-with-perception/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/29/spy-shots-mini-suv-crossover-caught-messing-with-perception/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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[Paris unveiling rumored for MINI SUV]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/27/paris-unveiling-rumored-for-mini-suv/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/27/paris-unveiling-rumored-for-mini-suv/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/27/paris-unveiling-rumored-for-mini-suv/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crossmanminimini crossmanmini cuvmini suvMiniCrossmanMiniCuvMiniSuvparisparis motor showParisMotorShowTue, 27 May 2008 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: MINI Crossman flashes its rump]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/02/spy-shots-mini-crossman-flashes-its-rump/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/02/spy-shots-mini-crossman-flashes-its-rump/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/02/spy-shots-mini-crossman-flashes-its-rump/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crossmanminimini crossmanmini crossman cuvmini cuvmini montemini suvmini-crossmanmini-cuvmini-montemini-suvMiniCrossmanMiniCrossmanCuvMiniCuvMiniMonteMiniSuvmonteWed, 02 Apr 2008 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: MINI Crossman CUV]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/07/spy-shots-mini-crossman-cuv/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/07/spy-shots-mini-crossman-cuv/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/07/spy-shots-mini-crossman-cuv/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crossmanminimini crossmanmini cuvmini monteMiniCrossmanMiniCuvMiniMontespy photosspy shotsSpyPhotosSpyShotsMon, 07 Jan 2008 12:32:00 EST<![CDATA[MINI crossover dubbed 'Crossman' by CEO]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/mini-crossover-dubbed-crossman-by-ceo/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/mini-crossover-dubbed-crossman-by-ceo/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/mini-crossover-dubbed-crossman-by-ceo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The MINI has been on a growth spurt since the introduction of the second-generation model. With the 3&frac12;-door Clubman wagon on its way to dealerships, the new convertible set to follow, and even a sports-coupe derivative rumored to be in the works, the BMW division is focusing on the development of a crossover based on the MINI.

No big news there, we've been watching the spy shots roll in for months now. The surprise, however, is that it won't be called the Colorado as previously thought. No, that was just a working title, an internal codename. It won't be called the Monte, either, as previous reports suggested. According to a recent interview in German publication Auto Motor und Sport, MINI's CEO Kay Segler said the retro soft-roader will likely be called "Crossman".

Magna-Steyr is expected to build 80,000 Crossmans (Crossmen?) at its factory in Austria each year, starting in 2010. The name, of course, combines Crossover with Clubman, the wagon variant on which it's based. Think it'll entice more buyers than "Colorado" or "Monte"? Leave your opinion in the comments section below.

[Sources: Auto Motor und Sport via Autoblog.nl and eGMCarTech]

MINI crossover dubbed 'Crossman' by CEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clubmancrossmancrossovercuvminimontesavsuvMon, 17 Dec 2007 12:17:00 EST