Saw this: http://www.leftlanenews.com/mini-suv...html#more-7941. And this: http://www.motoringfile.com/

 

Wow, while the Clubman may be fun and quirky, I think I would've opted for this had they been offered side by side given the needs of our growing family. But I'm more than happy MINI chose to launch the Clubman and look forward to taking delivery in the Fall.

 

very interesting, I guess theres room in my garge for two mini's.

 

Mini SUV = Blech! Get it muddy and you have to trade it in.

 

This may well be my wife's next car. She wants 4 doors. I hope it keeps what's great about Minis; the unequaled combo of fuel economy and fun-to-drive. And I hope the roof is the same as the clubman -- I'd like to racks to fit!

Some reports say it's a 2010 launch. Some say 2012. If it's 2010, it may be the right car and the right time.

 

Though I can't claim to be a purist, having owned an R56 as well as the clubman, I do think a SAV might take something away. But then again, we did trade in my wife's Ford Exploder for one of our MINI's so my opinion may be a bit slighted.

 

Good point, although I think the "pure" mini experience was gone in 2002 when the first BMW Minis came off the production line. This SAV will open up a whole new market for Mini, and that's the name of the game. You can count on one hand how many car companies are truly in it for the purity (whatever that means) of their brand. Mini and BMW are not.

I was trying to talk my friend into a Clubman last week. He's 6'6'' and has twin daughters. We went to sit in it, and it fit him just fine, but nobody would be able to sit behind him. His comment, "Are they going to make an SUV Mini?"

mb

 

Here's what Modern MINI had to say about the MINI MOKE SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle). This is the first I've heard of this, although it's been rumored for years! So forgive me if this has been discussed to death. I'm just playing catch up here.





I'm interested in seeing this in person, but I'm not sure what to make of it. I get the same feeling looking at this as I do when I look at a Porsche Cayenne. I feel like both betray their roots. Harsh, I know, but it's just the feeling I get. It seems uncharacteristic. What are your thoughts?

 

Porsche Cayenne is the car the nobody likes but yet still somehow managed to turn Porsche into a very profitable company that gives us cars that people do like. If the MINI SAV does the same then I don't see too much of a problem.

BTW the camo'ed car in that magazine scan is a Kia Soul and not any MINI.

 

I would only consider it if it got better mileage than the Clubman... which so far seems impossible with today's technology.

 

I actually like the Cayenne, even though it reminds me of someone putting a Chevelle on a 4x4 platform. I just dont' think of SUVs when I think of Porsche. I know, I know, it all comes down to making money. I'm aware of a company's need to remain competitive and not keep all their eggs in one basket. I just found it hard to accept at first, as I was so accustomed to seeing sleek and slippery coupes and 'verts coming from them.

I know the minivan saved Chrysler at one point, and Cadillac found a new market segment when they launched their Escalade, I'm just a hard sell on vehicles that bear no resemblance to the nameplate's "original" form and function.

Just so that I'm not a complete hypocrite, I would entertain thoughts of getting an "SAV" down the road if my needs warranted it. The concept, while derivative of the current SUV platform, is unique enough to deserve my consideration.

 

My thoughts? By 2012, I'ma want one! :D I mean, a truly nimble SUV, who wouldn't want that!?!

 

I'm seriously entertaining the idea of having a Mini SAV.

 

Question: Why wouldn't they call it a "MAXI?" Shouldn't they? I mean really, what's a "MOKE?"

Strike that last last question. Now I know...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_Moke

 

There's your beloved heritage, right there!

 

Yes but the Cayenne has done wonders for SUVs. The damn thing is faster than most cars! Who would have ever thought you could carry four adults comfortably with luggage and achieve 5 sec ballpark 0-60 AND go off road?

Why? Because we can. We invented a car to take to the moon with us just so we could look around.