Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Mini's future models roadmapped]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/report-minis-future-models-roadmapped/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/report-minis-future-models-roadmapped/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/report-minis-future-models-roadmapped/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


MINI Coupe Concept and Roadster Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

If you'll please forgive us our one tired cliché of the day... BMW has big plans in store for its smallest brand. In this case, quite literally as the next model that comes from Mini will reportedly be the long-expected Countryman crossover, which we can expect to hit the market in the first quarter of 2010. All-wheel drive will make an appearance on the soft-road 'ute, and we hear that a diesel engine is under consideration for the U.S. market.

On the concept car front, BimmerFile reports that Mini is working up a Moke revival that will be shown at an undetermined auto show sometime next year that's described as a small Jeep Wrangler and known internally as the SpaceBox. We're also told to expect a more mainstream concept built off the four-door R60 Countryman platform that would theoretically go up against such respected players as the Volkswagen GTI hatchback. The last concept that is rumored to be in development would share its inspiration with the BMW Vision Concept and feature technology from the automaker's eco-friendly Project i initiative.

Finally, the crystal ball tells us that the well-liked Coupe Concept and Roadster Concept seen earlier this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show have been green-lighted for a hopeful 2012 debut. One year later, the stalwart Cooper hatchback is scheduled for its second major redesign since the Mini brand was first launched back in 2001, very possibly getting a new range of powerplants that will include three-cylinders for the very first time.


Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Mini Coupe and Roadster Concepts


[Source: BimmerFile]

REPORT: Mini's future models roadmapped originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cooperminimini coopermini countrymanmini countryman conceptMINI CrossoverMINI Crossover Conceptmini mokemini spaceboxmini visionMiniCooperMiniCountrymanMiniCountrymanConceptMiniCrossoverMiniCrossoverConceptMiniMokeMiniSpaceboxMiniVisionMon, 02 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19218316/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/02/report-minis-future-models-roadmapped/19218316/article-detail.xml 19218316 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/04-mini-frankfurt-live-620op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/04-mini-frankfurt-live-620op.jpg <![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.

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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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Click above for a high-res gallery of the MINI Crossover Concept

Judging by your response to the MINI Crossover Concept in our original post, the new micro 'ute's styling leaves a bit to be desired. We're not entirely sold on the idea or its execution ourselves, but have decided to hold off final judgment until we see it in all its conceptual glory next month at the Paris Motor Show.

In the meantime, we've assembled 48 high-res images of the MINI Crossover Concept into a gallery, giving you a clear view of the jacked-up 4x4's minivanesque sliding side door, folding cloth roof and odd glass sat-nav.

Check all the pics below.

Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept

Pics aplenty: MINI Crossover Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptcrossoverminimini crossover conceptMiniCrossoverConceptparis 2008paris motor showParis2008ParisMotorShowWed, 10 Sep 2008 12:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1310226/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/09/10/pics-aplenty-mini-crossover-concept/1310226/article-detail.xml 1310226 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/aap0048298_450op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/aap0048298_450op.jpg <![CDATA[Paris Preview: 2010 MINI Crossover Concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/09/paris-preview-2010-mini-crossover-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/09/paris-preview-2010-mini-crossover-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/09/paris-preview-2010-mini-crossover-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click either image for a gallery of the MINI Crossover Concept

It's finally arrived folks... and it's not the coming apocalypse. MINI has released the first official images of the Crossover Concept, proving that BMW not only has a sense of humor, but that it's serious about bringing an all-wheel-drive MINI to market in 2010.

These initial images give us a clear indication of how future MINIs will be styled, and if BMW's reputation for making only a few revisions from concept to production hold true, this is very close to the finished product.

Measuring about six inches wider and taller than the Clubman, the Crossover Concept features a five-door body style, but that's where the similarities end. The right rear door has a conventional hinge, but the left door slides out and back, minivan-style. The rear hatch ditches the Clubman's dual doors and is instead fitted with a single panel that opens to the right. Sources suggest that the concept's door arrangement might be nixed in favor of something more traditional when it reaches production.

Power specifications and exact trim levels have yet to be revealed, but expect the Crossover to carry the same naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engines as its Cooper counterparts, BMW's Efficient Dynamics system (with start-stop tech) and naturally, all-wheel-drive.

It's likely that the Crossover won't be spending much time off road, but with a higher ride height, more space, a comfy interior and MINI's iconic styling, we're sure we'll see several on the highways and byways both here and abroad.

Read all the details in MINI's press release after the jump.

Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept

Continue reading Paris Preview: 2010 MINI Crossover Concept

Paris Preview: 2010 MINI Crossover Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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