MINI SAV: Spy Pics & Info

[SCOTT27]

If you look at the pictures closely you can see the typical MINI Wheelarch and skirt moulding are not evident. This when completed gives the crossover a solid chunky appearance utilising the characteristics of a MINI in both design and character.

Wait till next week.

 

[martinbo]

yeah but at the same time martin loves subarus so

Hey, let's not be personal about it
I like the way they are to own and drive; not the way they look. But enough of that here.

I like your X ray vision, tough.

Here's my opinion based on this spy shot and the impressions available from it.

It looks dumpy and fat. Like a London cab. The wheels are too small for the amount of bodywork. No amount of camoflage can hide that fact.

This is one of the greatest driver's cars on the planet at any pricem, much of it is down to fantastic looks and proportions:

^^^ This is a MINI ^^^
v v v And this, this is called milking a good thing to the point that it goes off v v v

But anyhow, klier, no matter. Simply put my name down against this one too in your "known haters" book.

 

[Human]

If you look at the pictures closely you can see the typical MINI Wheelarch and skirt moulding are not evident. This when completed gives the crossover a solid chunky appearance utilising the characteristics of a MINI in both design and character.

Wait till next week.

Hahaaaa! I thought so!

As you said Sott...wait and see!

 

[Giannis]

And this, this is called milking a good thing to the point that it goes off

No one could have said it better!

 

[EnI]

^^^ This is a MINI ^^^

And Fiat should forever stay a 500, VW a Beetle, BMW a 1600, Citroen 2CV, etc?

Geez, even a Porsche makes an SUV today. A Porsche! And even Maserati, Lamborghini, Maybach, Bentley are thinking about offering an SUV / crossover.



It's such a time people like such types of vehicles. Just like in the past fastbacks, wagons etc were VERY popular, and then went out of fashion: being replaced by sedans & hatchbacks. And later with SUVs / crossovers / semi-MPVs etc.

Sometimes I get a feeling we don't know & understand the history of mobility / automobile enough. The trends, the developments, the reasons.



Not to mention the economic aspect of automotive business.

A brand MUST go on, and follow the trends - within the core values frame. Otherwise it can die off. Only very exotic expensive brands within big automotive groups can afford to sty boutique & specialized. All the others have to cater to many diverse tastes.

MINI has to reach volumes to become profitable to the desired extent. And volumes can be reached with new models. Or by overproducing a certain model - causing inflation (over supply) causing drop in price, and overflooding the market. Saturating it way too early.

 

[Giannis]

And Fiat should forever stay a 500, VW a Beetle, BMW a 1600, Citroen 2CV, etc?

Geez, even a Porsche makes an SUV today. A Porsche! And even Maserati, Lamborghini, Maybach, Bentley are thinking about offering an SUV / crossover.

There is one difference though. Fiat, VW, BMW and Citroen didn't stretch those iconic and "money-making" designs to the end. The current VW line-up doesn't resemble the original Beetle, nor every Citroen looks like the 2CV. They did not over-exploit those designs.

Porsche is no saint either. They managed to transform the 911 into an SUV. Sure it sells, but noone finds it beautiful to look at. The only good looking this on the Cayenne is the Porsche badge.

Mini must make the jump forward. Mini started from an iconic design and now must separate from it and move forward. Just like the above brands did.

 

[EnI]

MINI will go 911 way. VERY evolutionary approach. Sure some modern features will be used (eg LEDs), and shapes will slightly change shape (eg. lights becoming more oval etc - no more perfect circular shape), some sharper line here and there etc.

But the general shape / design will stay the same. Yet in the future different models will differ one from another a bit more than in this generation. But still looking like a true MINI. Especially the hatch - which is the most iconic model in the MINI line-up. The most true to the original MINI. All the others will be given a bit more styling freedom. A bit.

Since MINI can't change much.

Ask yourself how new generation of F500 will look like. I guess not much changed from the current one.

And since original MINI hatch features specific design & styling all the other models (Clubman, Countryman, Cabrio, Roadster, Coupe) can't look much different but have to feature typical MINI design & styling - with only slight difference & variation.

Look at the Porsche - all the other models look like a variation on 911 theme. Including Cayenne & Panamera. Sure some evolution in slight inter-model differentiation is present but all very well under control.

MINI will go Porsche way regarding design strategy. Anything else isn't even possible.

 

[Cabasse0]

Mini Countryman

we are the 01.18.2010 and no news

 

[Mr Robert]

A brand MUST go on, and follow the trends - within the core values frame. Otherwise it can die off.

...and if there is no core value left, the brand is a zombie. I'd rather be dead than a zombie.

 

[EnI]

...and if there is no core value left, the brand is a zombie. I'd rather be dead than a zombie.

Even core values HAVE TO adopt to current times & customer preferences. At least the ones that are premium.

There is no place for one-dimensional brands anymore. Therefore Porsche & BMW are becoming more & more luxurious & comfortable with any generation. and MB sedans are becoming sportier.

People want different types of vehicles that suit their lifestyles - vehicles of certain brands that deliver certain character to the car. Therefore SUVs / crossovers in BMW, Porsche, MINI etc model lines.

If you think of a core value as of a characteristics of a certain brand cars 30, 40 or even more years ago then you're a bit too romantic.

Core value is the most evident characteristic of a certain brand & cars - regardless of shape, technology etc. These are time-specific features supporting core vale , not being the core values themselves.

Sure it's hard to run a brand succesfully - since you have to be very careful, and you have to know your brand extremely well. And UNDERSTAND the core essence & value of the brand, and then communicate it well. Via products, via PR, via promotion etc.

Today's MINI exists due to nostalgia for original MINI and the spirit of the times original MINI was popular. The spirit of freedom, openmindness, funkiness. Incl. the excellent motoring.

MINI - despite perhaps not being the best car in the segment (not even in agility) - will still be the car with most character. Audi can eg. pack tons of modern tech in A1, put a lot of make-up in the car, make it extremely sporty - but the car will still lack the character & spirit MINI has.

MINI is a way of living. It's infinitely trendy. In every shape. Even in a bus shape if ever coming. Or a tractor. It doesn't really matter. Get it? Sure it'll have to be a fun-to-drive bus or tractor - above average. Since agility (being able to move & react swiftly) is a great part of the concept called freedom.

 

[Human]

we are the 01.18.2010 and no news

Exactly!

 

[Human]

Even core values HAVE TO adopt to current times & customer preferences. At least the ones that are premium.

People want different types of vehicles that suit their lifestyles - vehicles of certain brands that deliver certain character to the car. Therefore SUVs / crossovers in BMW, Porsche, MINI etc model lines.




People like myself

 

[Mr Robert]

Core value is the most evident characteristic of a certain brand & cars - regardless of shape, technology etc. These are time-specific features supporting core vale , not being the core values themselves.

Regardless of technology, this MINI truck does not communicate anything MINI at all. MINI:s are small, light, driver oriented. Nimble, retro and communicative.

I might be wrong, but my money is on the SUV failing every point in this.

 

[EnI]

Regardless of technology, this MINI truck does not communicate anything MINI at all. MINI:s are small, light, driver oriented. Nimble, retro and communicative.

I might be wrong, but my money is on the SUV failing every point in this.

MINI cars are not that small & light today. Perhaps in original edition - but today safety, eco & convenience requirements pushed the weight way high. Countryman won't be any different.

Regarding being driver oriented (fun&engaging-to-drive), nimble, agile, communicative, sporty (at least in Cooper versions), funky and retro: this all comes with a Countryman as well. It will be a typical MINI in this class, and in this shape & size.

Sure you won't compare SAV directly with hatch or even coupe. Just like Cayenne is not comparable to 911. Or M3 to X5(M). Or A1/ R8 with Q7 (V12 TDI). Or A / SLS with GL etc. In terms of handling, size, weight, driver engagement, specific character etc. But all this cars - when compared with direct rivals in same class - have a certain character that is specific for the certain brand. And Countryman will deliver the same experience.

Sure won't be a "100% MINI" when compared to hatch Cooper S. Just like X5 is not a "100% BMW" compared to 3er or 1er. But there are some cars that are more than 100% of a certain brand (M, JCW, AMG etc). But when 3er is compared to A4 or C-class, it's still a typical BMW. And same goes in the case of X5 vs ML vs Q7. Or Cayenne vs X5 vs Q7 etc.

So, Countryman will be a 100% MINI when compared to similar cars. Eg. Suzuki SX4 / Fiat Sedici, upcoming Audi Q1, Kia Soul etc.

Do you really think it's reasonable to compare an SAV with coupe / hatch / sedan? No, it's not. Sure nobody can reproduce the IDENTICAL eg. compact coupe driving feeling in a compact SAV. But still that SAV has a lot of similarities with that coupe (of the same brand), and it differs specifically from the direct rivals in the same class - communicating typical feeling & values the brand is known for.

Countryman will follow the same formula. Sure some will be vocal, saying Countryman does not drive like a MINI 3dr hatch. Gee, oh really! Nobel prize for that "revolutionary discovery." It was the same scenario when Clubman was introduced ("Too heavy, and not as agile as 3dr hatch MINI. Ergo: it's not a true MINI."). But when comparing Clubman with other cars of that size - it's obvious the car is a typical MINI.

 

[Centurion]

Regardless of technology, this MINI truck does not communicate anything MINI at all. MINI:s are small, light, driver oriented. Nimble, retro and communicative.

I might be wrong, but my money is on the SUV failing every point in this.

Naah don't be such a purist. Like the Cayenne, this will be the Avatar of the auto industry. Sales in the first year will exceed projections. So you might as well put your hater-cap on now because this car will be everywhere.

 

[Mr Robert]

Sure won't be a "100% MINI" when compared to hatch Cooper S. Just like X5 is not a "100% BMW" compared to 3er or 1er. But there are some cars that are more than 100% of a certain brand (M, JCW, AMG etc).

I'm guessing something like 15% MINI for the SUV as it is the anti-thesis of everything MINI - only the colour schemes and wierd interior will save it

But when 3er is compared to A4 or C-class, it's still a typical BMW. And same goes in the case of X5 vs ML vs Q7. Or Cayenne vs X5 vs Q7 etc.

I think the goals are set very low if brand identity can only be perceived when put in comparison against its opposite - and this is regarded as good work

Sales in the first year will exceed projections. So you might as well put your hater-cap on now because this car will be everywhere.

View attachment 133ff0981488bf0bc4d8c5b22aa0d7ec.jpg

 

[EnI]

Mind this car will bring a lot of new customers to the MINI. It will be the most practical MINI ever, with solid room - and conventional 5 doors. AWD will be available - for the ones living in areas with harsh Winters - also a brand new feature in MINI offer.

And it will bring a bit more comfort than other MINI models.

It's much better value-for-money than the other MINIs - if you want a real car (with decent room, functionality & decent ride comfort for this class). While still getting the typical MINI motoring experience.

Sure it will be a hit. A big one. MINI fans & loves have families too, you know. It's a family MINI - while others are more for a personal use.

Btw, the car REALLY DO look like a toy IRL. Like a LEGO car or something. So cute! It's a MINI.


@Dunkel: you are way too pessimistic. According to my sources the car drives extremely well. The agility & nimbleness is still there. More so in AWD mode - due to better handling & traction.

 

[Mr Robert]

It's much better value-for-money than the other MINIs - if you want a real car (with decent room, functionality & decent ride comfort for this class). While still getting the typical MINI motoring experience.

And I say that the last part will not be even remotely true.

Sure it will be a hit. A big one. MINI fans & loves have families too, you know. It's a family MINI - while others are more for a personal use.

Btw, the car REALLY DO look like a toy IRL. Like a LEGO car or something. So cute! It's a MINI.

I have no doubt that it, regretfully, will be a hit. I was just waiting for the first "image not product" release from MINI. Will there be anything from MINI to counter this release?

 

[Human]

Sales success....it's going to be!

 

[Cabasse0]

Mini SAV

Eni > come on with official pics
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