Mini Crossman spy photos

By Alborz Fallah | April 05th, 2008

Mini enthusiasts have a whole new reason to get excited, now that the name of the company’s upcoming crossover has been released – the Mini Crossman, previously referred to internally as the “Colorado,” will bring the brand firmly into new territory.

Called the R58 within BMW from here on out, the Crossman is expected to ride higher than current Mini models and have All Wheel Drive, making it a potential choice for off-roaders. These photos are of a Crossman mule undergoing testing in Europe.

With these new capabilities, Mini plans to expand their customer base to include young men wanting something a tad more “masculine” than the current models.

However initial response to the new name has made a few us wonder if Mini has lost its creative edge? Also, a Mini off-roader? Mini runs the potential risk of alienating the fan base that has rallied around the small car brand since the release of the Cooper.

The Crossman will also be the first Mini assembled outside the U.K. with Austrian manufacturer Magna Steyr building the car.

The Mini Crossman is scheduled for release in 2010. According to Mini Boss Kay Segler, there are currently no plans for a fifth Mini model.

jbot

Off-road with ground clearance like that? Don’t think so..
Wheelnut

I Don’t like the barn door arrangement – surely the traditional up-down tailgate set up [like the territory] would be better as it then opens the way for a Mini Ute or given that BMW own Mini a M-Ute
Andrew

If I wanted to go fast around corners I’d look into a Mini. If I wanted to go off road I’d look into something else.
c1ockwork

Eeeek! I sold the Cooper S at just the right time it would seem…
COBRA

What The !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mini Suv….
Dlr1

While i can see the value in an all wheel drive version of the mini, an off road or SUV model with raised suspension would just make an ugly car uglier.
No Name

Fugly. whats the point. surely BMW will should show a concept to gauge public reaction. Its frankly pathetically pointless. My Opinion
Martin

I agree with Dlr1
RM

Looking at the responses up the top, I really hope that everybody thinks like this when it comes out so that sales are slow and it gets canned. I don’t want a mini with AWD. They should have just put all wheel drive and raised ground clearance as an option on the clubman. I am never buying one and this may stop me buying another Mini ever again. I currently own a Cooper S and a Range Rover. I sure as hell don’t want them mixed together.
Antonia

dreadful looking sculpture
Antonia

dreadful looking car.
http://www.geardiary.com Mitchell Oke

If you wnat a more manly Mini, buy a John Cooper Works model. This just looks, well, unbalanced. I certainly wouldn’t say it was more manly.
Phill

What a waste of R&D money
No Name

RM “They should have just put all wheel drive and raised ground clearance as an option on the clubman. ”

Uh! Thats pretty much what they have done.
Andrew

This sounds like a good idea, previously either you had huge-bulky-inpractical offroaders (eg. Landcruiser, Patrol), mumsy mobiles that had all the problems of a big offroader without any of the advantages (Ford Territory), now we have a small-car based car that has the ride height and AWD without being a fuel drinker (therefore more k’s to go exploring without a stop to the fuel pump), redecliously heavy, or being inpractical around town.
jbot

Andrew, you are joking right? A Falcon would be as good offroad as this thing.
Poision Ivy

Absolutly JBOT……..how ya been babe,BM here.Dont ask about the name change just a bit of fun daily at the moment!

You see that episode of drive I think it was they put a XE Falcon against some off roaders,one a Rav4 the other a cruiser………the falcon didn’t do to bad until it sunk at the river crossing and this would too……

What is it with car manufacturers these days ………they want to be every thing to every one…..I don’t have a problem with change but some manufactures are just milking their models!
Rico

The name of the car is Clubman.
Virginia

If BMW would put some comfort and luxury features like electric multi-position seats – with memory, a smoother ride, quieter engine and improve the GPS system into a mini SUV, it would be the perfect car! BMW and other luxury SUVs are way too big, which leaves the Mini as a car choice, but it is terribly loud and uncomfortable to drive!