By Edward Niedermeyer
May 30, 2008
MINI's forthcoming Crossman cute ute is set to debut later this year at the Paris Auto Show. Spy images and details are already making the rounds on the autoblogosphere. Channel Four tells us that the Crossman is based on the next-generation generation of MINI platforms, which will accommodate larger variants like the Crossman. As a result, the MINI Ute is larger, rides about 80mm higher than a standard MINI and stretches over 12 feet long. The Crossman will offer BMW X-Drive AWD, although front wheel drive will most likely be the base configuration. An optional Efficient Dynamics start-stop system should help keep fuel efficiency reasonable. The Crossman will be closely related to BMW's forthcoming X1 baby ute (cannibalism much?). Both vehicles will be built in Austria by Magna Steyr. With a planned annual production of 80k units, there should be plenty of Crossmen available for those urban sophisticates who are willing to pay considerably more for a MINI that looks like it could handle a forest service road. The Crossman will be available stateside some time in… 2010.
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May 30th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Seriously, what’s wrong with small, focused lineups. It’s not like these are all separate companies; they’re all huge, multi-headed entities with several brands and more than full product line offerings. Why the urge to compete with yourself?
I really get the impression Mini’s marketing people are getting cocky in their success and are thinking that everything they touch, by virtue of their sheer genius, must be a success.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
It’s an abomination. What’s next – a Mini truck (the Truckman) or Mini-van (the Familyman)?
I even dislike the name – ‘Crossman’ sounds like someone is angry.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Has anybody heard if the gender-neutral crowd is getting any feathers ruffled over Mini’s gender-specific nomenclature?
May 30th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I seem to remember that from the begining they wanted a full range line-up of Mini products. Is it possible they are worried about becoming a one-trick poney and are trying to cover ALL the bases? I love the Mini, I really like the Clubman, but I think this is gettin a bit out of hand.
May 30th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Is Mini a brand which is starting to lose their way?
If they are, then it’s pretty spectactular, when you consider than their brand has a clue as to what type of cars, they should be making……
May 30th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
It’s an abomination. What’s next – a Mini truck (the Truckman) or Mini-van (the Familyman)?
They were both made 40+ years ago. But it was a Mini Van and a Mini Pick Up
May 30th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
A Minimino would be the perfect addition to the brand.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
The ‘original’ Mini had both delivery van and pickup variants produced from about 1960 up until the early 1980s (My folks had a Mini Van when they were married).
There was also an ‘off road’ Mini Moke variant, albeit briefly in the UK at least, production continued overseas well into the 1990s though.
May 31st, 2008 at 6:17 am
Not to mention the ‘Ant’ 4×4. The direction that Mini are taking now is exactly that which should have been taken 40 years ago.
May 31st, 2008 at 8:40 am
Maxi?
May 31st, 2008 at 8:44 am
Looks cool!
I reckon that having three vehicles in a lineup is better than having one vehicle in a lineup. I hope it doesn’t get out of hand, though. You can’t get too many other variants without losing the Mini part.
May 31st, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I don’t about this cute ute, but an update of the moke would be a better world car than the nano. By world car, I mean one that is cheap in most the world, but less cheap in the US and similar countries due to being upgraded to meet regs. Not exactly the same car everywhere, but recognizable as the same car (unlike any of Ford’s world cars that aren’t at all recognizably the same car.
The keys are simple, easy to repair, functional, dirt roadable, and rugged. Folks in african villages can’t afford all the pollution gear, but they can reduce emissions by simply burning small amounts of fuel in tiny engines and not going so fast.
June 1st, 2008 at 1:09 am
For all those wondering / complaining about the expansion of the Mini lineup… I’d say Mini knows what they’re doing: look at the VW New Beetle where it (hasn’t) been.
June 1st, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I’m always in support of small pickups, no matter the manufacturer… The perfect size pickup truck – Nissan Hardbody. Small, cheap, bulletproof, efficient. New “Midsize” is last years “fullsize,” and “small” has all but vanished…
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:01 am
this is a great idea… i dislike the way bmw badged cars are getting so snooty – i wont buy one, but i am anxious to buy a mini – mine will be a base convertable, they can expand all they want, i like these cars.