Might not be something you like, but this is the leaked official Mini Countryman photos from Worldcarfans:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11001192...-photos-leaked

 

Thought I'd share a link to the first three photos of the 2011 Mini Countryman/Crossman we posted over at Jalopnik:

http://jalopnik.com/5451853/mini-cou...r-first-photos

We're following up on this story so, hopefully, we'll have more news soon.

(I hope this is the right part of the forum to post this, let me know if it needs to be moved.)

Cheers,
Matt

 

I say it'll sell very well. It may kill the clubman though.

 

This was the first website to get it

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11001192...-photos-leaked

I would have posted it here as well!

I have to say I kind of like it, but, is 4 doors and AWD true to MINI?

 

And the teaser video released yesterday

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11001182...released-video

 

That would make my clubman worth even more. And I kind of like the design.

 

NO.

And so I hate this thing.

 

Yeah, I have to agree. I don't see why they have to use MINI as their vessel to get 4 doors and AWD. It's not true to MINI. :(

 

Why the heck would you buy this thing over a Clubman? It appears to have less storage space and will have to have compromised handling with that ride height! And it's still not tall enough to make it through the muddy field in front of my house... so why?!

 

I think it's pretty sweet. I like that they used more of a Cooper rear end without the barn doors. Also like the AWD and 4 doors. I wonder what the price range in USD will be.

 

The day I ordered my Clubman back in 2007, I told the sales manager I would die for a 4 door AWD MINI and he told me that if I would have waited a couple of more years, I would get my wish. He told me he was at BMW in Germany and he was told that it was on the drawing board. I'm not saying I "settled" for a Clubman, it was the best MINI for me at the time. I would have gladly chosen a Countryman since it fills all of my requirements: Light offroad capabilities(snow/mud/heavy rain), 4-doors, premium small vehicle size, MINI styling, and performance.

 

AWD + MINI =

 

Interesting, now if we can find a way to hunker it down a bit for highway driving, then raise it for some casual mud.

 

Why? I love my Clubman but it isn't an AWD type vehicle. It is a small sports wagon which has a road sport design. A little bit of snow and you will be dragging the undercarriage and the front air dam, while trying to plow through the snow. You can throw on some all seasons or snow tires and go play but should you even though you can? The Countryman will be a MINI...but with a taller stance, 4 doors, and AWD. Like it or not, I'm thinking this will be a huge seller if BMW/MINI also tout ruggedness and reliability.

 

The hunkered down version supposed to be coming. I've seen rendering of JCW versions already.

 

The headlights look a little funny, but at least they tried to make it look MINI. I wonder what kind of engine it has and how much power it is putting down with the AWD.

 

Yeha once you get it sitting nice and low and give it a good horsepower bump than it will be a great thing.

 

I'm totally indifferent regarding a MINI SUV, and I live in "SUV territory". But I'll hold off on final judgement until I see it in person.

 

Looks way better than the concept. Nice design, looks smaller than I thought too!

 

The problem they will have selling it is because the rear seats are bucket only with no bench option in the US. Part of the purpose of getting a Mini SUV for me would be to be able to carry bigger objects with the seats folded down. How do you fold down bucket seats, they are not going to be flat? If they were only going to put buckets in (due to new US law) they would be better off putting all wheel drive on the Clubman. At least you can fold the seats flat for carrying things in a Clubman.

 

I was at the Clubman release party back in February '08 and everyone there was amazed how small the Clubman appeared in person compared to all of the information released before on it. The picture of the female with the white Countryman show that it is up to her shoulders. This being the All4 version, I'm thinking it may be the tallest Countryman being released.

 

Can't say I like the frowning grille much. On the other hand, when I was doing more nature photography, a small off-road car that could also handle twisty roads would have been very appealing. I wonder just how well this will do on asphalt twisties, and rough dirt roads?

 

Let's hope the AWD tranny will trickle down to the MC and MCS. If the AWD MCS can get 28+ mpg on freeway, it will be a winner.

 

The more I think of it the more I like it.

 

I like the final production pictures more then the early concept photos and spy shots.