Mini Crossman - a Mini for a proper mini adventure!

The Mini Crossman model is now undergoing road evaluation and testing. Having been displayed at a few recent motorshows the SUV version of the Mini Clubman is now entering the final stages of preproduction with its debut in dealerships due in 2010.
Offering extra ground clearance (somewhere between 6 and 8cm) the Mini Crossman will be a genuine four-weel-drive unlike many of the other small SUVs available in the current market.
It will also differentiate itself from every other mini {link} by having 4 passenger doors, an improvement on the 3 fitted to the current Clubman range, it will keep the twin opening rear doors that have proven to be so popular with Clubman buyers. In anither break from (new) Mini tradition this model range will not be produced in Oxfordshire, England rather it will have a production line at reknown off-road and four-wheel-drive builders Steyr in Austria.
There will be no new engines for the Crossman, it will use a selection of those already fitted to the current Mini range.

Mini for the future.

The Mini brand has got the SUV bug too! The Mini SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) is based on a Mini Clubman and uses BMW’s X drive four-wheel drive system to offer a compact, cheekily styled vehicle with some form of off-road capabilities. Not due for public consumption until the middle of 2010 we can still expect to see concept cars and pre-production models in 2008 and 2009.
The new Mini Cabriolet is prepared for its launch in Spring 2009 and follows its forebear closely in concept. The Mini should remain as popular and entertaining as ever although with delivery times in the region of 2 months for a Clubman some models may prove to be a little too popular in the short term.

Mini in 2008.

Mini {link} launch the Cooper Works in the middle of 2008. A few concepts on based on the Mini Clubman are a possibility late in the 2008 show season but it does really seem to be a year of consolidation for Mini.

Mini Clubman.

Another British motoring name is rescued from obscurity. BMW {link} have now launched the Mini Clubman to complement the standard Mini {link}. The original Mini Clubman was basically an normal Mini with an estate back attached, nothing has changed – at least not at first glance. The new Mini Clubman is an estate of that there can be no doubt; it is also very clearly a Mini. The new, large centre instrument is striking but annoyingly hard to read easily and this is the story in other areas too. The single suicide door allowing access to the rear passenger compartment is novel. On right hand drive models it has the immense draw back of forcing passengers to alight into to road and traffic because it is on the right hand side of the car only, fine for Europe but not so good for here! Space and luggage capacity isn’t fantastic either, the Clubman isn’t a serious load carrier, and there are far bigger estate cars available for the same or less money.
Once on the move though the gripes are nearly all forgotten, the new Mini Clubman is still a tremendously enjoyable drive. It feels a tad slower than its smaller sibling but still offers plenty of smiles per mile! The new Efficient Dynamic feature takes a little getting used to but does offer a noticeable fuel saving. When the Clubman comes to a stop and neutral is engaged the engine stops; it’s not as dramatic as it seems honestly. As soon as the clutch pedal is slightly depressed the engines springs back into life and away you motor. The system isn’t completely faultless as take off from stationary is sometimes a bit juddery. The system isn’t exactly new either; Volkswagen tried a similar system on the Golf 2.
The Clubman offers all the joys of a Mini with extra luggage capacity; it is a fun yet small estate car that will undoubtedly prove to be a success. As already mentioned there are more practical estates available but very few that prove to be as much fun to drive or as nicely styled.