I wanted to try to find out more about the "Crossman" and found this link.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-b...i-in-2008.html

An AWD Clubman with rear wheel bias would rule snowy conditions. The understeer tendency of FWD is not great in the snow. I'd probably prefer that car (AWD Clubman) to an oversized SAV Mini. Plus the Crossman won't have alot more clearance anyways.

People don't need enormous SUVs with off-road clearance. Some dis the BMW X3 cuz it has no clearance. AWD however is really useful. I just don't like the X3 cuz its sits too high IMO (I got my wifey a 328xit).

BMW's new xdrive (for the X6) is supposed to only get 1mpg less than the regular RWD. I know the Mini has always been FWD from a design philosophy (simplicity/efficiency) but an AWD Clubman that got 22-23mpg mixed would be very cool.

 

Motoringfile has covered that story for about a year or now. The R60 codenamed "Colorado" will be introduced at the end of the 2010 model year. It is believed it will be a Clubman with 4 full doors and available AWD.

 

I understood the Crossman (or Colorado) would be significantly larger than the Clubman, stretching the car to just under 4m or 157.5". It would be a typical 5 door configuration with similar lines as the Hardtop Coupe. I imagined the AWD system would be front biased but IMO the rear bias is much better handling.

 

The Motoringfile article seems to indicate that the Mini SAV will be the R60. Could they be saving the R58 & R59 monikers for the AWD Coupe and Clubman? Doesn't seem to fit the BMW naming system.

I don't see how you could slap 4-doors on a clubman. There's no room for b-pillars let alone b-pillars, rear doors, and a gas tank. The idea of double clubdoors is a non-starter too. From what I understand, in addition to the gas tank position issue, double clubdoors create a side-impact structural problem. Whereas the unibody is stiff enough (with just one clubdoor) to provide adequate side impact protection.

 

My understanding is that the R60 will be heavely re-engineered. To what extent? I am not sure.

 

IF Mini does put out an AWD in the near future, I may consider it. If not, my Mini days will be over by 2010.

 

You're sick of FWD? AWD is a precondition for your loyalty? I'm sure you'll get your wish.

I read somewhere that some BMW bigwigs decided that the shortest BMW could be 167" (1-series hatch) and the longest Mini could be 157" (4m).

 

I'm not sick of FWD. But, I find AWD very useful and it would be enough to make me give Mini another try. Without that incentive, one Mini with substantially less than stellar build quality is enough.

 

I will only get an AWD if it gets better gas mileage than the Clubman, which probably isn't possible using current technology. Otherwise, I have no incentive to trade.

 

Ouch... someone's bitter.

 

I personally would be happy to take a 1-2mpg hit and get better handling in the tradeoff.

 

There are images of the "Crossman" all over the net. (See link below for one site.) The news today says US auto industry is facing the worst year in a decade. With many loving their AWD/4WD SUV's and their hard earned money not being spent at the pump, I bet this vehicle will be a huge success. I'm getting one or should I say, my wife is getting one. Her '07 RX350, being driven for the best fuel mileage, will only get 21 or 22. Our trade-in value will be carp.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enth...0.html?DID=RSS

 

Like all rumored models, I'll believe it when I see it. My inside sources say it will do 0-60 in under 3 seconds, get over 100 mpg, handle better than a Porsche, and come in around $15,000. You read it here first!

 

What a deal!