OK Mid-Ohio Pals heres is a question for you:

Next Mini addition the Crossover what are your thoughts and opinions?

I think the Clubman is a nice addition to the Mini lineup mostly because it addresses the too small aspect of a Mini. The crossover SUV Mini to me is a terrible concept. Small SUV's end up either like the Susuki Samari that rolled over if a silverback farted next to it, or like a Subaru Justy which I beleive they sold 5 or 6 in the US. Now what I would vote in favor of would be an AWD a Mini or if BMW had the gumption to make a RWD Mini with a tiny trunk and then call it a 2002. I look forward to hearing others thoughts.

 

Does it come with **** carpeting and a water bed?

 

I guess if I wanted a crossover I'd have a Forester or an Outback. Hey wait we do have a Forester.

I think BMW/MINI has jumped the shark with a MINI crossover. Terrible idea at a time when folks are thinking of downsizing BMW/MINI wants to build a bigger MINI. Just plain stupid me thinks.

 

Hey... I followed one of the 5 or 6 Justys the other day on 23 north -- still running a looking pretty good. I tried to follow the guy to talk to him but he got away! Not everyday you see a relic like that.

 

Wow a 3 cly ran away from a 6 cyl. Time for a tune up...

I always liked Justy's. Neat little cars.

 

I think jump the shark is appropriate. Even though some think the R56 and Clubman style is not pure enough , they are still MINI. This thing is just MINI in name only. And I think it starts to spoil the brand.

 

[QUOTE=Crashton;2648454]Wow a 3 cly ran away from a 6 cyl. Time for a tune up...

Nooooooo... he turned into a parking lot where I was going (great... I can stop him) and then did a U back to 23S! I could have taken him!!

 

I agree...why try to "improve" something that just cannot be beat? That "Crossover MINI" is a terrible idea, not to mention just butt ugly. Agreeing with another comment, why not just make an all wheel drive model of the MINI and let it go at that?

 

I'll reserve judgement till I see it in the flesh (metal). I didn't like the Clubman concept but do like the production version. The problem with introducing cars is that the lead time is so great. I guess they thought it was a good idea when they thought of it, but it surely isn't now.

 

Why does every car maker seem to HAVE TO drift towards coming out with an SUV version? Unless they are 4x4s, what is the purpose [why not just stick with the station wagon]? The new MINI Crossover looks like an aborted MINI that lived. The whole vehicle looks like something left over from our space programs...and people are supposed to enjoy this POS? I can just imagine people getting all revved up to go to MOTD in one of these...NOT. Or to a British Car Day? Hardly...I mean, gimmie a freaking break....

 

It was just approved this week actually

Also the drawings and auto show vehicles are not to be used as indication of the final product. Pictures of the test vehicles show a vehicle that looks very much like a long new new Mini complete with normal round headlights. It will also probably have normal hatch on the back not a double door CLubman rearend. The development drones have two doors, but only one wipper.

 

Just because some don't like it doesn't mean some folks won't love that ugo beasty. Sad that the MINI brand has lost its way.

I like the R56 & feel it is still a MINI. The R56 replacement has me more than a little worried seeing the direction BMW/MINI is headed with that cross-dresser.

 

I wonder what they ended up doing in the interior where they had that conceptual globe thingy on the dash.

 

I think they just put in a larger spedo it now has a 6 foot radius. And the volume for the radio is now in the glovebox

 

Ahh, good to know the ergonomic circus continues!

 

A little know fact about the R56 is that the speedo was made larger so it can be used as a temporary spare tire in case of a flat.

With the Crossdresser the trend continues. MINI was forced to go even larger with the speedo to compensate for the larger shoes worn by the Crossdresser.

 

If BMW thinks so highly of that God-awful speedometer for the MINI, they should seriously consider adding one to the 1 or 3 series...or maybe even to their new SUV.

 

I'm not sure that BMW isn't making their own Edsel here.
Perhaps the only real market for these will be in France:

http://www.wikio.com/article/89103651

+Vote! Mini Crossover production version coming in 2011

trymi | yesterday
The reception of the MINI Crossover Concept at the Paris Motor Show was so encouraging that, just after four weeks after it debuted, BMW approved the venture for production in 2011. The factory variant of the MINI CUV is set to be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show this coming September, which is within the timeframe for initial forecasts.

I would have been okay with the Moke version :

 

What's the last part of the license plate....VOM for Vommit

 

I may be in the minority (seems like this happens often) but the idea of an awd mini has appeal to me. We have an X3 now along with our MC and would be nice to replace the X with a smaller, more fuel efficient Cooper. Even a slightly raised Clubman AWD would be ok. Our MC is surprisingly good in snow the few times we have had it out but sits so low it will bog down quickly if the snow is deep. I know there are CRV's, Subbies, and the like, but an MC in this class would be ideal for us.

 

An AWD MINI would be great, but NOT as proposed by that, ummmm, Crossover THING, disguised as a MINI.

 

Maybe this is the reason why Chris Bangle stepped down from BMW's head of design today.

 

If that was Bangleized it would have all sorts of odd lines running through it. In fact it might have actually looked better. This one is a real toad.

 

i want a mini crossover!!!!!

 

Oddly enough, America has a short memory. With gas prices low, evidently the SUV and truck sales have gone up the last few months. Go fig.