Spy Shots: MINI SUV/Crossover caught messing with perception

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Mini

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.

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Paris Preview: MINI SAV 5-door coming, FWD variant planned

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Mini

After nearly three years of rumors and speculation, the new jacked-up MINI SAV will finally make its debut, according to Autocar. The Brit pub is reporting that the MINI 'ute is bound for Paris, with an on-sale date sometime in 2010 and sporting a five-door design.

Questions still remain about what platform the new all-wheel-drive model will be based on, with sources suggesting it will either be based around the Clubman's architecture, making use of a new upper-body structure, or the current Cooper's chassis, using the front end and employing a new floorpan to accommodate the AWD system and new seating positions. Regardless of what's underpinning the SAV, MINI has to justify the R&D, so if the biggie-sized MINI proves successful, there's a possibility that a front-wheel-drive variant will be offered on the same chassis, oxymoronically dubbed the MINI "Maxi."

Production is expected to begin late next year at Magna's factory in Graz, which currently produces the X3. And with BMW shifting production of its entry-level SUV to the U.S. sometime next year, MINI will have the manufacturing capacity to bring its sales over the 340,000 mark.

[Source: Autocar]

Paris Preview: MINI SAV 5-door coming, FWD variant planned originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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