Mini is yet to give the car a new name, calling it the ‘Crossover Concept’ for now, however previous reports have speculated that it will be called the ‘Crossman’ in keeping with the brand’s naming practice of starting each of its model names with the letter C. The crossover is the fourth body variant after the classic two-door, the convertible and the long-wheelbase Clubman, and measures more than four meters in length and comes with an AWD powertrain. It also measures 72in (1,830mm) across, 62.9in (1,598mm) in height, and has a wheelbase of 102.6in (2,606mm), making it the biggest Mini model so far.
The Crossover Concept also features four-doors but the openings are arranged in an asymmetric layout. On the driver's side the vehicle comes with a conventional door for the first row of seats, while the back row features a minivan-style lift-sliding door (the opposite side features a conventional pair of doors for front and back seat passengers). Each passenger also gets individual seats - a feature that makes for dramatic design, but may not survive to the production vehicle, with a rear bench being a more practical choice.
Other unique features include a missing B-pillar on the driver’s side and frameless windows. The roof, meanwhile, features a folding cover extending throughout the entire length of the roof, plus a multi-faceted rack system good for skis, bicycles, luggage and more. The rear door swivels to one side, and also features a frameless, retractable window for easy loading and many options. A low rear sill means getting cargo in and out is easier as well.
Inside, there’s a center rail that runs the length of the cabin and houses an assortment of storage bins for both front and rear seat passengers. The system can even be used to pass food and drink fore and aft. A further highlight is a new central instrument with a 3D look sitting in the center of the dash. This multi-function display controls all major entertainment, telecommunication and navigation functions, providing the speedometer function around its outer circumference.
The 'Center Globe' display screen can also be split into two separate ‘hemispheres,’ one for the driver and one for passengers, viewable only from their seating perspectives. This will allow the front passenger, for example, to surf the net while the driver maintains his view free of all displays and instruments. The Center Globe also doubles as the interface to the car's ignition system. Inserting the Keyball into the appropriate receptacle, it rolls into place on the globe, where a single press starts the car. Pressing it again shuts off the engine and releases the Keyball.
The production version of the new Mini crossover is expected to be revealed early next year, possibly at the Detroit Auto Show, but you can see several renderings of what it could look like by clicking here.
2008 Mini Crossover Concept
Reader Comments
Tue Sep 9 2008 7:03 PM
Layne says
Rear windows look like a Fiat Panda.
Tue Sep 9 2008 7:23 PM
NoNameDenton says
It is cute in some ways, but ugly in other ways, give it a diesel
Tue Sep 9 2008 7:54 PM
94 Taurus owner says
knowing Mini's rep it will get a diesel whether or not it will come to the US.
Tue Sep 9 2008 8:04 PM
NoNameDenton says
I know, but they are mulling the diesel for the US, so I want the diesel here.
Tue Sep 9 2008 8:28 PM
WVB says
When issigonis's original morris minor was delivered to the british motoring public in 1949 it went on and spawned the Morris Oxford in 1952. The 'new' mini looks to be going down the same path as this thing looks like a fat mini and for me funnily enough shows more than a passing resemblance of an oxford with the bigger chrome grille
I guess BMW will have to name it after one of their cities to keep with tradition..................
Tue Sep 9 2008 8:53 PM
NoNameDenton says
Since MINI's have names that start with C, I am gonna say it will start with a C and not be a German name, since Cooper and Clubman are not German.
Tue Sep 9 2008 9:10 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
NoName- Quit while your ahead and heres why!
Cooper comes from John Cooper and is no relation to Clubman and keeping with the letter C.
As for the car, once again BMW consulted Stevie Wonder on its design.
Wed Sep 10 2008 5:13 AM
SteveSteve says
should keep those sliding hinged doors but on both sides for production - stop kids whacking them into other peoples cars...also I can't see the 4th passenger seat
Wed Sep 10 2008 5:13 AM
SteveSteve says
"Each of the four passengers also gets their own seat"
Wed Sep 10 2008 5:50 AM
HECTOR says
Oh. My. God. It's worse than I imagined... I just vomited into my paper basket...
I don't think a Corvette station wagon or a Range Rover sports car would look more unnatural than this abortion of nature.
And the only question I have is: WHY?
Wed Sep 10 2008 9:19 AM
mlevere1992 says
I agree with you HECTOR, what the hell happened? This thing is FUGLY! I expected more out of the BMW design group. I was hoping for good things from this car but wow.
Wed Sep 10 2008 10:13 AM
Mike says
Are those mid '90s Cadillac Deville taillights?
Wed Sep 10 2008 1:39 PM
NoNameDenton says
mywheelsonwhatever, I am ahead of you and I am qouting other sources on this, while you are injecting opinion, so how about you quit while your BEHIND.
Thu Sep 11 2008 6:26 PM
Knight3058 says
I almost thought someone had dug up pictures of the old Isuzu Vehicross. I mean, honestly, they look related. http://www.jdm-cars.com/galleries/data/media/131/vihicross_1.jpg
Sat Oct 4 2008 11:06 AM
ohnonothimagain says
I happen to like the Mini Line-but once I found that the pricing after you add options; I can have a BMW Series 1 or a 135i for about the same price as a Mini with decent options. So I suspect this Mini Crossover Concept will have the same problem-Price is hard to swallow now with the dollar being weaker worldwide. And if it's an AWD design is it going to have a more powerful engine to haul it around ? It's decidedly different-I'd have to see it in person to really decide.
Sun Oct 5 2008 4:06 PM
james says
honey, i shrunk the exhibitionists!
just looks like a big mini cooper with deville rear lights. and people will buy it
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