German Car Zone

Spy photographers have spotted what appears to be a mule for the recently confirmed Mini SUV testing in Germany. Although the mule wears the body of the Clubman S, it looks to have a slightly higher ride height than a standard Clubman S. There also appears to be two strips of material attached to the mule's roof, possibly to simulate the inherent added weight of an SUV.

The car's exhaust also indicates that this isn't a standard issue Clubman S. A typical Clubman S has dual exhaust, something this mule lacks. Instead, the mule has a single exhaust outlet protruding from the left slide. This details also rules out a standard Clubman as its exhaust exits from the right side. The change is exhaust seems to indicate some kind of undercarriage work, possibly to accommodate for all-wheel drive.
While the styling of the new SUV is expected to be unmistakably Mini, it remains unclear just how rugged the final product will be.

More pics here:

*http://www.left lane news.com/mini-suv-future.html*

* copy/paste the link within the stars in the address bar & delete the spaces between "left", "lane" & "news"

BMW is whoring the MINI style...don't like!

Yeah, they are really milking the cow with this SUV, but the idea sounds very cool. A nice little light blue SUV with white roof and side mirrors. As long as it isn't a carbon copy of the Clubman with increased ground clearance I will be happy.

Yeah, I'm with you on that. I'm not the least bit surprised on the whoring though; was a given when they first introduced the vehicle.

BMW are just reviving (some) original Mini models (note: some cars were sold under Austin, Morris, Wolseley or Riley badges) ...

MINI = original Mini Cooper



MINI Cabrio = original Mini Cabriolet



MINI Clubman = original Morris Mini Traveller / Austin Mini Countryman



MINI all-road SAV = original Mini Moke



possible MINI sedan / coupe = original Riley Elf / Wolseley Hornet



also existed in the past: original Mini Pick-up .... and ....



original Mini (cargo) Van:




So, people who bitch about BMW "whoring" MINI brand obviously have no clue about Mini's past models.

^U are right i had no clue that those models existed but to me all those pointless models contradits with the MINI idea and style

those models ARE the mini idea and style

Ohh. So is that post to be taken seriously? Is that an insult? Can't really tell as it has smilies at the end.

Anyways, I think we all have the right to voice our opinion on whether BMW is whoring the Mini or not, and it has nothing to do with having knowledge of the Mini's history. From a marketing point of view, these vast iterations of the Mini is undoubtedly smart, but that doesn't mean I haven't the right to feel the Mini brand is starting to become a whore's paradise.

My claim was very serious!

Whoring ... What is brand whoring anyway?

Do you expect Mini to be one-model brand? Another too romantic expectation.

General public still do not know how the MINI SAV will look like. It will be one funky small crossover / "off-roader", just like Moke was in the past. In typical MINI style & with notorious MINI driving characteristics. Targeting European market mainly - just like Clubman.

General idea of sub-compact "SAV / AWD crossover" similar to Fiat Sedici / Suzuki SX4 (but with all typical MINI features):





Yet I guess many here would be satisfied only in the case MINI would introduce a supercar.

Btw, I really do not care about your feelings, but I would be honored to hear some rational arguments substantiating your opinion why MINI brand is becoming a whore's paradise). Waiting ...

Expanding the Mini brand too quickly with too many cars will IMO dilute the little icon. I seriously hope that the Mini, Cabrio, Clubman and SUV will be the end. Because I don't want to see a sedan/coupe, pickup, van or some other crazy version of the car.