New Mini SUV

The 4x4 Fiat Panda has been a great success, why not a Mini?
 
I have had rashes better looking than that and whats the betting that the higher ride height will destroy the handling,in addition rather than being a fashion accessory what part of the market is it aimed at
 
my missus' mini one is good in the snow
4WD just gives the engine more traction to play with.
sounds good to me
small 4x4's are few and far between. unless you go performance...like an audi quattro.
the smallest 4x4's normally are the family aimed subarus.
 
yeah...just I love the current Mini - it is very similar to the original...would be a shame to change that, as it looks a little...ungainly to me.
 
CaptainPenguin said:
I have had rashes better looking than that
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:lol: :thumbs:

Scene: The design studio at MINI Oxford...

Designer 1: "I say chaps, what are we going to do with all those old Austin Maxi doors we have lying around?"

Designer 2: " I'm not sure, let's go to the pub for a few hours and have a think about it....."
 
Oh dear, looks like it was designed by the same bloke who did the Clubman/estate version.
 
-Rob- said:
It looks ugly. I like Mini's but this is just trying to make a car that doesn't need to be made. If you wanted an SUV then you should get a proper one, not a mini one.
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I second that. I also think BMW have lost what the mini brand stood for. I know purist would state its not a mini but the original ones did have a little of the soul for today's modern needs. They have started to loose the brands soul for some ££

thank god VW never did a 4x4 mini SUV beetle!
 
Looks like the love child of a regular mini and a Chrysler 300C estate... I bet it'll sell well though.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
:lol: :thumbs:

Scene: The design studio at MINI Oxford...

Designer 1: "I say chaps, what are we going to do with all those old Austin Maxi doors we have lying around?"

Designer 2: " I'm not sure, let's go to the pub for a few hours and have a think about it....."
Click to expand...

Now dont you start slagging off the Maxi I loved my subtle bright Orange Maxi
 
Mattwood said:
They have started to loose the brands soul for some ££
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Some would argue they started to lose the soul of the brand when they went from Gen1 to Gen2.

The Gen1 Mini did have some of the original Mini in it, the Gen2 didn't. This one, well... it's different! :lol:
 
wibbly said:
Some would argue they started to lose the soul of the brand when they went from Gen1 to Gen2.

The Gen1 Mini did have some of the original Mini in it, the Gen2 didn't. This one, well... it's different! :lol:
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That's because BL (in the guise of Rover) had some input in it's design. It's also why the gearboxes disintegrate on the early cars -it's an old Rover one :shake:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
That's because BL (in the guise of Rover) had some input in it's design. It's also why the gearboxes disintegrate on the early cars -it's an old Rover one :shake:
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Mmm, yes I know, albeit they can disintegrate on One's and Coopers, not Cooper S's (different gearbox on the S) and they can at any age, not just early ones ;)

Rover actually designed most of the car, it just would never had got built had it not been for BMW who owned them by then! :D

<---- Dons flame proof suit! :lol:
 
wibbly said:
Mmm, yes I know, albeit they can disintegrate on One's and Coopers, not Cooper S's (different gearbox on the S) and they can at any age, not just early ones ;)

Rover actually designed most of the car, it just would never had got built had it not been for BMW who owned them by then! :D

<---- Dons flame proof suit! :lol:
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The facelift Gen 1s had (in common with the S models) a Getrag box. Rover's involvement is why the MINI has an "R" model code and not an "E" one like other BMW products.

Gawd, I'm an anorak :shake: :lol:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
The facelift Gen 1s had (in common with the S models) a Getrag box. Rover's involvement is why the MINI has an "R" model code and not an "E" one like other BMW products.

Gawd, I'm an anorak :shake: :lol:
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Yes, you are

Kinda like they wanted to distance themselves just a little from the initial mini - considering the E stands for development and the didn;t do a great lot of that on it!.

would you like to borrow my anorak?
 
I thought it looked ok in white from the side, then i looked at the other colours and angles, Its hideous!

Will keep saving for a standard cooper instead.
 
Wow, I am surprised at the reaction here....Unfortunately other brands are catching MINI and BMW have to keep the car fresh....I still don't like the R56, but I see why it is what it is and if that keeps bringing people into the MINI fold, then great, it is still a MINI........MINI has always been more than the car, it is a community and that includes classics whether they like it or not.

The countryman, speedster, clubman even are about bringing people to MINI. I used to get the impression that when you bought a MINI, BMW were always trying to get you to "upgrade" to a BMW....well I don't think that worked as people who bought MINI weren't necessarily BMW people and we don't just buy MINI because we can't afford BMW right now.

BMW have finally cottened on to the fact that MINI people want MINI, and usually only leave the brand because their lives have changed. Family, work, outside interestes etc....

I have 2 MINI's and love the brand, and they are good for right now in my life, we are DINKY's, we don't have time to go out camping and kayaking and mountain biking as much as we would like, so the hardtop and cabrio suit, but do we want a larger car at some point yes, would I like some off road capability at some point yes....

So I know the brand, I understand the culture, why wouldn't I want to stay with the MINI if I could? It is the same with every other make of car? Why not MINI? It is the same with the Speedster but in reverse. Why can we agree with the speedster but not the countryman? Which in essance is a clubman on steriods?

I may not like the look of the countryman, but I didn't like the clubman at first either, but I don't think it is about MINI loosing it soul.

At the end of the day MINI is a business and it ahs to make money.

I like the all culture, all ages, all inclusive nature of the MINI....which is greater than one car type.

Long May that Live as that is the true "Soul" of MINI.....

Roo
 
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DizMatt said:
the smallest 4x4's normally are the family aimed subarus.
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There are (or have been) 4x4 Golfs.

My VW T25 syncro is 4wd (it's a van) and has basically the same transaxle as the traditional Beetle but with an extra drive output on the front to go to the front axle. So an enterprising person might perhaps construct a 4wd Beetle, although it would require a lot of bespoke engineering at the front end for the driveshafts, front diff, CV joints etc.
 
RichardtheSane said:
Yes, you are

Kinda like they wanted to distance themselves just a little from the initial mini - considering the E stands for development and the didn;t do a great lot of that on it!.

would you like to borrow my anorak?
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As long as it doesn't say BMW on it....:naughty:
 
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