Posted on Wednesday 2 July 2008
Updated with new rendering.
Not much has been heard or seen of Mini’s upcoming SUV model since independent vehicle manufacturer Magna Steyr confirmed back in October that it would build the new car. According to latest reports a concept version of the new SUV will be shown at the Paris Motor Show this October and will preview the future production model due at the end of next year.
These latest renderings show that the car will likely be just a Mini Cooper with raised suspension and body-protective molding. In keeping with its naming practice of labeling all its cars with names that start with the letter C, Mini will be calling its latest model the ‘Crossman.’
According to AutoTelgraaf, the Crossman will sit some 8cm higher than the regular Cooper model and stretch more than four meters long.
Magna will build up to 80,000 units per year, which will include both FWD and AWD variants. Despite looking like a regular Mini, the Crossman will be built off a completely new platform to accommodate the AWD transmission and raised suspension. However, the engine line-up will remain the same as the regular hatch model.
Mini Crossman SUV renderings July 2008
Mini Crossman SUV renderings May 2008
Looks like a Mini that’s about to hurl chunks…
It looks ok, I guess, but I wouldn’t call it an SUV, but I guess everything is an SUV these days.
There’s a word that many car manufacturers (certainly BMW is one of them) should learn and remember:
ENOUGH.
why ENOUGH when they know they will turn a profit…i dont approve of market saturation but they are coverign every signle niche now..german global domination on an automotive scale !
It Is good!
Isnt this defeating the purpose?!
Doh! I thought it was a hot rod or a tuners car of the new mini.
Shouldn’t we just change the mini name to BIGGY. Oh wait should there be a mini brand instead.
Bad timing anywhere in the world, tell me when I’m wrong after the car is release.
It can’t compete.
The body is the same size as the regular Mini. This is just like one of those Volvo or Subaru specials where they jack up the suspension (and the price) to give the driver an improved view of the road. Perhaps this will be the successful introduction of the Little Utility Vehicle (LUV) to the US… although I wouldn’t buy one!
Looks good but I wouldn’t call it an SUV. Its a station wagon.