I love this concept. I'd buy one in a heartbeat. I'd keep my current MINI as well, but one of these would be very useful to me and still fun to drive.

 

I can't believe that this is a new/recent discussion. I thought someone must have resurrected an old thread to point out something, well, NEW!

 

Words i also should have included in my original post... Nothing like chatting about concepts that were out, and now long gone almost a year or more now ... I should have known better to get involed - been there, done that.

 

Are the red cases on the quarter windows tool kits?? I's sure that would not see production as it would just be a huge blind spot- then again I'll bet many were surprised when the production Toyota included the huge C piller(and bling spot) on the concept.

 

Clubman configuration aside...what I find interesting is that these were out awhile back...so how/why were so many folks put off by many of the R56 design changes? Besides the way-out stuff, clues to what was to come were clearly seen way ahead of time. It certainly seemed to make many of the changes seem less foreign when they did arrive.

 

I like the red one.

 

On this go-around I noticed something I hadn't picked up in the past.

Anybody know the significance of the one red spoke on the left rear wheel and the red right mirror on the Geneva concept? Any historical context associated with the Monte Carlo Rally? (obscure trivia buff here) Or, is it just a nifty design accent?

 

hmmm. i dunno.. but they will be a lovely add to the MINI family still prefer the R53/56 though

 

my wife would buy one in two shakes of a lamb's tail

 

Great idea. MIni should build it. I espescially like the spare tire on the roof. It gives it that rugged safari look. An air of distinction from the other cars out there.

 

I like the concept a lot more than the clubman that will go into production. I like the indepentent rear windows that roll down and the way the rear opens. The spare tire on the roof makes sense and adds an absolutelyunique styling element to the design as well as eliminating run flats entirely.

 

Rare indeed is the occasion when a production vehicle is nearly as fascinating as a concept. Such is life. After numerous disappointments over the years, I have reached the point where it is almost a game with me to try and determine which features from a concept will see production, if any. A very interesting case right now is with the Chevy Volt. Whether you like the vehicle or not, it will be interesting to see just how much of the concept can make it into production, if any.

While it might look cool, a spare tire on the roof certainly requires more than a styling argument. From a pragmatic perspective:

• How many people do you know that can or want to lift 50-80 pounds over their head when they actually need to use said tire? (...especially when wearing something reasonably nice like your business-casual work attire.)
• I imagine the chances of scratching, denting, or otherwise damaging some portion of the car would be pretty darn high.
• Additional weight reduces fuel economy.
• The high location of the weight is horrible for handling considerations.
• I'm no engineer, but I can't imagine this would help with the aerodynamics, thereby also reducing fuel efficiency.
• Would reduce or eliminate much of the current panoramic sunroof option, i.e., they would likely be incompatible offerings.

These are just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are plenty of others. And we haven't even broached the cost factor of the equation. Now, on a vehicle with a different general purpose (other than a sporting commuter get-about and grocery-getter), as in off-road capable, there would be different considerations.

 

was the difference in concept between the Clubman and the Traveller?

 

I don't care for it myself, but here is an article that says one has been spotted in Germany.

Its got a totally funky rear quarter: