i am not a fan of this concept... MYABE production loosk better

 

OH MY STARS!!! Based on this article, this crossover will have one feature that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A minivan style sliding rear door!!!!

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/...x.html?cnn=yes

While I hate the look of the Mazda5, I love the concept of these types of doors on cars other than minivans. As a father of two little guys, I think this is a great idea!!! Given this "development," I may be trying to get my wife to agree that we should sell our 3 series wagon and have two MINI's in the garage.

 

The main reason I have read why MINIs got larger is due to the European pedestrian crash standards which pretty much have dictated the newer MINI design after '07. Since the bonnet had to be higher, the entire vehicle had to increase in size as well. I hope it never increases after that, not even an inch.
I would like to see the SAV proportioned so that there are two regular rear doors instead of any "suicide" type door(s) as on the Clubman or the sliding rear door as on the official concept. Adding a hair more backseat and rear storage area room will complete the vehicle.
I envision it to have snow driving capabilities of a Suburu but still handle like a MINI/Audi Quattro. We will see.

 

I wonder if the one green mirror and one white is an option?

+1 on more dealerships!

 

Here are a TON of additional pics

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mini-...ncept/1029028/

I'm especially LOVING the sliding door AND the rear door!!!!!!

The side profile looks a little disjointed though and the front would be better if it kept more in line with the current MINI front.

 

If it gets 40 MPG, I'll buy it in a heart beat!

 

I'm totally with you on the sliding door. Very convenient and no dinging of the car parked in space next to you. I also like the 2 separate rear seats - sometimes the kiddos need a little space between the two of them (plus it also looks cool).

Remember the early 60s cars that had a console that ran all the way through back seat (like T birds)? That was a design element that should be resurrected.

 

well said.

 

Still a four seater though.

 

Oh.... the more I look at the pics the more I like it. Come to the Crossover side luke...

 

That makes one of us!

I can't get past the psycho clown...

 

I'd prefer not to have a larger MINI. If they want to make the Clubman (or even the coupe) 4WD, fine, but "MINI" and "larger" don't mix well, imo. That said, I think the front face of this concept car is very "Mini," and it does have some clever features.

 

Yep..they indeed Hyundai'd the MINI.

 

If it looks more like this first rendering, I'm down with it:

 

EXACTLY...but I still want my sliding doors!

 

Wow, Lady G I never saw that pic but it had some interesting features. I like the lights on the roof. Kinda cool. But the lower grill which had a Bond - Jaws look to it, was too industrial for me.

 

I do like the idea. I've always love the look of MINI, but would not get it because it was too small. When Clubman came along, I knew that I would get one. Now that I've been driving my Clubman for a few months, I realize that I would like to have real passenger doors. Clubman's size is perfect for me and I love my car. But I am excited about the new "Crossover". My next car will probably be that, but I will wait to get it until its 2nd or 3rd year of production - that way, I can get the reviews before I jump in.

 

Good one Lady G!

I can't remember which European mag showed this, but this is what I always kind of had in mind...



Looking at the shape of the grill and the cant of the lights, it's not far off from the concept vehicle.

 

bentyyc, that looks pretty good from the side. I'd have to see what the straight on front view is before I make my decision, though.

That other concept one makes me skeered.

 

I'd like to see a rear view as well (just like a first date, you need to see the goods from all angles).

 

You've got every conceivable angle here: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mini-...ncept/1029028/

 

I'm absolutely smitten by the sliding side and rear door...

 

i would not hold my breath on those ... from what I remember the Concept Clubmans had similar type of scissor hinges as well for the rear doors.

 

still not sure if I really like the latest reveal from yesterday, but the earlier version above is TOO close to the Coupe and Clubman ... I kind of like the fact that they are trying to set it apart now from its smaller siblings ... for better or worse.

don't want people asking me in the future if I lowered my MINI SUV

 

I find it interesting that Mini is embracing asymmetry. The club door on the Clubbie was the first step, but I thought this was due to mechanical constraints. With the SUV, they have gone all out with this idea - from doors, to seats, to mirror colors(?!). I'm not sure whether I like it or not, but I can't deny it is a bold design move.

What I'll be curious to see is how much of this actually makes it into a production vehicle. I think the overall look will persevere, but I doubt the wild swinging rear door and other cool ideas will lose out to practicality, price, and broader appeal.

No matter what, this will be one expensive toy - which is probably why Mini is doing this. Manufacturers have always made a killing on SUVs, because the profit margins are so significantly higher and people are willing to pay so much more for a "jack of all trades" (even if they are a master of none).