Hey, if you have about $20K to burn......you can get one of these "beauties" custom made!
(Don't shoot the messenger! I'm just passing on the info :-)

See more pics here:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/preview...ni_tender.html

Castagna MINI Tender

It is no 'Moke'! But that has not stopped Italian coachbuilder Castagna tapping into the heritage of one of the most famous Minis ever built to make the most of the summer sun.

Christened the Tender, the car was seen at this year's Geneva Motor Show alongside the new Crossup all-roader, and Auto Express is the first magazine in the world to take the wheel of both.

Based on the MINI Cooper S chassis, the models are powered by the engine from the 90bhp 1.6-litre One. The duo are aiming to follow in the wheeltracks of Castagna's previous MINI special, the Traveller-inspired SUWagon.

Incredibly, more than 30 SUWagons have been sold - a feat the Tender and Crossup are charged with repeating. However, there is no doubt that both cars are a lot more ambitious. Clever detailing gives the Tender's all-weather, all-terrain character an air of real luxury. Sleek, water-sealed teakwood lines the boot space, while 700mm has been added to the depth of the cargo area. There is a second storage bin for wet gear under the floor, and the interior fabric is mostly water-sealed and water- resistant neoprene as well.

The adventurous Crossup is a MINI interpretation of a Hummer H2T, and is meant for the mountain bike rider who does not want to leave a huge tread print across the interior when they head for the hills. Clever additions include an impeccably detailed exotic hide interior and pick-up bed at the back. Then there is the centre armrest that acts as a small refrigerator, plus the optional four-wheel-drive system to which you can add a hydraulic lift function for extra ground clearance. Oh, and there is a John Cooper Works exhaust, too.

Castagna already has several orders for fleets of Tenders from exclusive Côte d'Azur resorts. Further possible variations include a six-seater based on the MINI Convertible, along with an eight-passenger set-up that sees the wheelbase lengthened by 500mm. Another option is four load hooks at the corners of the top deck, making it possible to hoist the Tender onboard your yacht in Monte Carlo harbour.

Driving the Crossup is great fun, but with its roof and stiff suspension, it is little different from the standard MINI experience. The Tender, however, is in a league of its own. Make sure the weather is forecast to be rain-free, though, as putting up the cloth roof defeats the purpose of the car. Sky views and open sides make the cabin breezy but hugely airy. From the wheel, you almost feel part of the landscape. The seats are comfortable, although the vehicle's extra length does take some getting used to, particularly in town. But while the driving experience is priceless, the cost is anything but. Starting with a base MINI One Convertible - although, of course, you could choose a Cooper or Cooper S - at £13,330, the price for this Tender treatment begins at around £13,500 and continues to climb depending on exactly what a client wants. Castagna can easily handle right-hand-drive cars. Either send your own to Milan, or ask the firm to buy you a fresh UK-ready model and complete the project from scratch. Couldn't be simpler...
Matt Davies

Comments: 0Article from: Auto Express

 

wouldnt be bad........if it wasnt heideous



wtf are those italians thinking???

 

it has a tumor growing out of its a$$

 

"its not a toomah"


sorry, i had to

 

Appropriate for a hearse...DOA!
It would have to be PW

 

I don't know what they're thinking!!! Let's just hope BMW/Mini leadership laughs as much as we do.

Did you see the Crossup also?

(The black one in the background.)

A MINI WITH SIDESTEPS AND COW-BARS! YIKES!

 

We need a smiley for barfing! I'd rather be seen driving an old Pacer than that monstrosity! I can't believe they did that to the beautiful lines of the MINI!

 

Who'd a'thunk it... An automobile design from Milan that looks hideous compared to the British/German design!?!

 

That brown interior is probably the worst color and texture scheme I've ever seen. It look like a cow exploded in there.


Now, the exhaust on the black one is nice-

Does anyone buy a MINI to haul stuff? You can already fit what you need in there, and you'll never have to help your friends move! We have enough room for some travel gear, a few bags of potting soil, golf clubs, skis and snowboards... (not all at the same time!)

Let's think practical!

 

I just threw up my Blimpeeeee Best Sandwich that I ate for lunch.

:e ek2::eek 2:

 

WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY!!!!

 

Well, instead of calling it a SUT, since it's a MINI it would be lightweight (at least compared to an Escalade or Hummer "Sport Utility Truck") so maybe it should be called a Sport Lightweight Utility Truck.

That way when you see one on the road, you can say, "Man, lookit that ugly **** over there!!"

 

I wanna drive a ****, too! I'll never wash it so she'll be dirty!

 

I just warshed my ugly ****, now I'm gone drive her!