MINI SUV Spy Photos
Based on MINI Clubman wagon
BMW is about to release this year the wagon version of the new MINI named, Clubman. Rumors say that parent company BMW has already given the approval to produce yet another derivative to be added to the MINI model range. It will be a compact SUV reminiscent of the very first MINI off-roaders, Austin Ant and MINI Moke. BMW marketers would most likely re-use the iconic name of the latter which saw 50,000 units built back in the Sixties.
Since an SUV will be of particular interest for the U.S. market, BMW’s California based Designworks Studios have already given the variant some thought. Exploiting the flexible production line capabilities of BMW's U.S. Spartanburg plant, the MINI Moke could possibly be built alongside the BMW X5 and Z4 Roadster. However, the Moke's release is not expected until the end of the decade.
The photos are showing:
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1 computer image giving an artist’s impression of how a Mini SUV could look like
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2 photos of the upcoming Mini Clubman during final testing in France.
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Distinctly visible the new door system of the car.
The computer rendering looks very nice, and the market could use a non-bloated compact SUV. I would like to see this retain the four real doors and roof rack, plus be available with a clean diesel and panoramic sunroof. Rear door should probably be a hatch though the barn doors of the clubman might work. It does not need four wheel (or even all wheel) drive but the extra ground clearance shown in the rendering would be good though they probably don't want it too tall to retain good handling. Hopefully a decent equipped version starts in the mid-20's.