Mini Crossover Concept: Crossman Breaks Cover

Motoring Channel Staff - 8/October/2008

Paris, France — It's finally happening. Mini is creating an SUV.

Called the Mini Crossover Concept, the vehicle is our first official glimpse of Mini's upcoming crossover SUV which is expected to hit the road in 2011.

Shown at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the odd little crossover vehicle has a distinct Mini flavour, while pushing the design direction of the brand a little to the left.

The new all-wheel drive Mini crossover being developed by parent company BMW has been met with widespread ridicule.

But would the creator of the original 1960s Mini, Sir Alec Issigonis, really be upset with the Mini's current evolutionary path?

It's been called a toad, a turtle and other animal names, but if it's marketed cleverly (and it probably will be) and it comes equipped with a few innovative or quirky features, it'll sell in big numbers.

This concept car is fairly close to how the production model Mini SUV will look. It will be an all-wheel drive vehicle powered by small 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, likely to be the same units found in the current Mini cars.

Some of the new Mini SUV's mechanicals will be shared with BMW's upcoming X1 compact AWD, including much of chassis. 

Lined up next to the Mini Cooper hatchback, the Mini Crossover Concept has a much higher ride height and is also longer than the Cooper and the Clubman. It will be Mini's largest vehicle.

The concept car on show in Paris has a rear sliding door on the drivers side and an innovate tailgate system, but like the upcoming BMW X1 the Mini Crossover is expected to be a regular 5-door model.

As for the name, rumour has it Mini Crossman has been shortlisted by BMW.

Mini's Crossover Concept shown in Paris features the usual show car gimmickry, such as an overblown audio-visual unit, colour-coded alloy wheels, a sliding cloth roof and a conceptual interior design.

Some of these features may make the journey from show car fantasy to production car reality, some may not, but it's clear that BMW is on a sure thing with the Mini brand.

Since it launched in 2001, the new Mini has been an unprecedented sales success in almost all major markets, and with the launch of the Mini Clubman the range has doubled by adding another body style.

A compact AWD with Mini badges, influences and styling would be expected to increase Mini sales even further, by up to 30% according to some predictions, which would give BMW market leadership in the compact luxury segment.

Many other brands have followed suit with trendy micro cars, including Fiat with its retro 500 and Audi is readying the A1 Sportback, yet another rival for the Mini.

Related Links:
- Mini John Cooper Works (2008)
- Mini Clubman (2008)
- New Mini (2007)
- Mini Concept Tokyo (concept)
- Mini Concept Frankfurt (concept)
- Mini Cooper Cabrio (2005)