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Coming soon: Mini’s ‘massive’ SUV

British carmaker Mini is preparing to build its biggest vehicle yet – a mid-size SUV with similar proportions to a BMW X3 – according to overseas reports.


The new model – speculated to revive the Traveller name – would assume flagship status for the brand, slotting in above the Countryman city SUV in both price and size, according to UK publication AutoCar.

While details of the secret new model remain scarce, Mini boss Bernd Körber has compared it to the parent company BMW’s mid-size X3 SUV, which could share its underpinnings.

Mr Körber told Autocar that although “it would be hard to imagine a Mini the size of a BMW X3 or X5”, Mini must “address the growth in SUVs and look at if we need a compact SUV”.

Despite the new model being the largest Mini will have ever produced, Körber reiterated the car will still be ‘mini’ in its segment.

“We can stretch the interpretation of Mini always being the smallest but I can’t imagine being bigger in a segment," he said. "We need to fulfil a requirement on size.”

When asked if the model would be adopted locally, Mini Australia told Drive it does not speculate on future models.

Further to Mini’s new flagship, the brand is also working on an all-electric city SUV with Chinese alliance partner Great Wall Motors. AutoCar speculates the new model could also provide the underpinnings for BMW’s next iX3 electric car.

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