Mini Confirms Future SUV

In a very dry press release announcing a partnership for future production, Mini casually confirmed it would indeed build an SUV. Called a sport activity vehicle, the new SUV will be outsourced — built in Austria by the same company that built the BMW X3. This allows Mini to maintain its current level of production on the Mini Cooper, Cooper convertible and Cooper Clubman to continue meeting demand while also bringing a new model to market quickly. There’s no official word on how big the new vehicle will be, nor are there many other details. The code name for the project is Colorado, but we doubt the final product will be named that. The SUV should also come with all-wheel drive, a first for Mini. We’d expect the new Mini SUV to go on sale sometime in 2009, possibly hitting the car show circuit late next year.

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Comments

[coches usados]

En mi opinión, no es apropiado el segmento del mini para crear un SUV. En Valaldolid (España), tenemos la experiencia del fracaso del Renault Modus que ha creao importantes problemas de puestos de trabajo.

[Toyotatakingovergm]

this is america speak english!!! a mini suv...i wonder what these automakers are smoking to make them build bring new SUVs to the market when gas price keeps rising. besides a mini SUV doesnt make any sense to beginning with

[Sanchez]

You are right coches usados, the Mini is going to lose its charm and position as a fashion car if they build an SUV. The failure of the Renault Modus should be considered, as the failure of the Honda pick up.

[Zak]

I'm not sure that the Mini will lose it's charm. We consumers are suckers for good marketing pitches and I'm sure BMW will know how to position this vehicle so that the Mini SUV becomes the must-have vehicle du jour.
That being said, I don't think we need another SUV. What I'd like to see are more vehicles that combine space efficiency, mileage efficiency, and style. I hope an A4 TDI wagon comes stateside...

[alex]

i wanted to respond to toyota boy.. mini will always make sure that their supply is low, so markups and high resale value will remain. In terms of your comment that the honda pickup has been a failure, on what basis?. Yes, its not selling huge, but its the highest rated truck according to consumer reports, its very innovative, and does with honda WANTS IT TO DO, which is to keep accord and civic owners in the honda family who would otherwise buy trucks but love honda so the ridgeline suits them fine. the ridgeline is not going to get ford, gm, or chevy truck owners, unless they care about quality, resale value, good reliability, and overall value. Most big 3 truck buyers dont worry about that, they like their truck, and nothing will change them

[LM]

to: this is america speak english!!!

Maybe he isn't in America. Maybe he is in Spain. Ya know, the internet does reach people beyond US borders. Dumbass.

On the Mini - I do think they are shooting themselves in the foot here. I understand them not wanting to make the Saturn mistake, but it's a cult brand and should remain so. What's next? A sedan?

[J]

Mini branded SUV, huh?

Makes much more sense than full-size minivans.

Damn, maybe Harley should make SUV too.

[Scott]

i think this is a great idea to have the best of both worlds, a MINI and 4x4. Just hope the gas mileage is good like the MINI but this could be a hot seller. It will have to be hardy enough to actually go off road, not like a jeep but navigate poor roads, dirt roads, and snow/ice with 4x4 capabilities. I would buy one when I give my daughter my current MINI. Need some good colors for this version, not like those of the MINIs.

[Don]

I have been looking forward to an all wheel drive Mini, since it's reincarnation. As I understand from all of the press releases, it will not be a SUV, but rather a SAV (BMW speak.
In other words, it won't be designed as an off road vehicle. It should fall into the class of the Rav-4 or CR-V which are urban SUVs. I also understand that by BMW's definition, any Mini is required to be shorter in lenth then the smallest BMW. Also, the power trains are expected to be the standard Mini offerings married to a Getrag all wheel system. The gass mileage is expected to be Miniesque (probably in the range of 24/30). I personaly will be waiting in line to place an order for one.