It's the pictures that MINI wasn't ready to release... An anoymous source has leaked three official photos of the all-new 4x4 MINI Crossman onto the internet, ahead of it's public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
The leak comes just a day after the firm revealed an official teaser video for the car which you can see here.
Shown sporting a Pepper white paint scheme, with black alloys and a black roof, the Cooper S variant shown in the pictures has a sportier look than expected. It also wears an 'All4' badge on its flanks - a new logo devised especially for MINI's first 4x4.
SEE THE OFFICIAL PICTURES HERE
It's not just the all-wheel drive transmission that makes the Crossman different from any other MINI either. It will be the first non-UK-built model. Instead of Oxford it will be assembled at the the Magna Steyr plant in Gratz, Austria.
Similarities with the MINI Beachcomber concept shown in Detroit are evident, especially at the front end where the oversize headlights and low-set fog lights remain. The bumpers, front and rear, have been restyled though, giving the car a similar look to the hatchback from behind.
The cabin is almost identical to the current crop of MINIs, with its oversize speedo and quirky toggles, making it immediately recognisable to MINI owners.
With prices starting from around £17,000, the Crossman (although it's name is yet to be confirmed) will go on sale this September. More information and a more extensive picture gallery will be made available closer to the car's official unveil in Geneva.
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Perhaps it may grow on me but initial impressions are that it looks like a car Mr Blobby would buy. Doesn't really look like a 4*4 more an MPV, when Kia is bringing out lovely looking cars like the Venga and Opel with the new Corsa based MPV which is very fresh why would any buy one of these except for the Mini brand.
That is an ugly little car. The front looks sad and fussy with that strange bumper rail, the clumsy rear part of the roof needs redesigning - and of course it has that teenagers' interior....
And whatever those flaps are ahead of the front wheels, they won't last five minutes off-road. What specific 'off-road' features does it have - low range, differential locks?
If the 'leak' was to secure opinion, it has worked. This is an ugly little pig which needs comprehensive restyling.
Oh dear, Oh dear, Oh dear...
As a massive MINI fan this has got to be a joke! Has the Botox gone wrong? I agree totally with Nick's comments above, the bumper rail is unnecessary and the rear just hideous. MINI must have a radical re-think - it would be far better off taking a look back at the past again and producing a pick-up and van variant - ideal for small businesses everywhere! Do NOT put this thing into production!
how can that be a mini it's to big
Chris Bangle has now gone.
BMW must have found another imbicile to replace him.
A real TONKA ! Surely B M W have to have a drastic re-think on this design study by an 11 year old !
This is simply gross! The Mini is a fine car, up to and including the Cooper S. But the Clubman is poor. the Moke worse and now this hideous monster. The Chris Bangle remark is bang on!
Who was that designed for?
I didn't realise F**tons had a remote countryside branch.
Lets face it; those 'spikey haired', 'spotty little irks' with there fat ties is who we all associate with Minis.
Who was that designed for?
I didn't realise F**tons had a remote countryside branch.
Lets face it; those 'spikey haired', 'spotty little irks' with there fat ties is who we all associate with Minis.
Probably mechanically good - Steyr used to make a remarkable Fiat 500 with a flat twin BMW engine in the back - the styling is awful; front intakes too large & unmatched, unnecessary creases & lumps, the white body with black arch extensions makes the wheels seem tiny & the body 'jacked up' but without the usual 'tough' look - the juke box interior is just sad...back to the drawing board?
Keith M
That looks hideous and should not be allowed on the roads - anyone who buys one needs their head looking at!
Firstly Minis should not have 4 doors.
2ndly why not make it a useful 4wd with small wheels and big tyres? There is nothing unique about its shape now. A Clubman with 205R16 tyres would be about right.
It looks bloody terribly ugly and even more like it was designed by a pork butcher!
And then built in Graz by the job tin bashers Magna as bonus? The BMW Board must be either very brave or ignorant on design and I believe it is the latter!
They look as though there is a touch of Korean Jeep combined with GAZ II Jeep and then given flamboyant colours to try and flog them to the"in" people? There are certainly better buys in this area that look great - these do not but will be very amusing on the Promenade d Anglais - or Sloan Square but for the viewers only!
I remember the cute beautiful woody Austin Mini Countryman and smart Morris Mini Traveller and now this? And BMW expect these objects to be bought for premium money? No way! Get a smart Skoda Yeti or the coming new Korean Mini Offroaders - better blooking, better built and better value!
Firstly I have to agree with JoeCrennan, since when did a Mini have 4, or in this case 5 doors? The whole concept of having a Mini derived car with 5 doors is itself totally bonkers. The front screen looks like a 1950's Ford Anglia, (yes, I AM showing my age lol). The side profile reminds me of a Renault 4 somewhat, (nothing wrong with a Renault 4 if it's a Renault, but NOT a Mini). I said in another article on this car in AE, that the jury was still considering its verdict on this car, but the more I look at it, the more I think that BMW/MINI have goofed with this one. I suppose there will be the usual trendsetters who will pay £17000 plus extras for this car, but I won't be one of them, even if I had that kind of money which I don't.
Oh yes and Vandenplas, I remember the original Morris Traveller and Mini Countryman too, and they were TRUE Mini estates along with their wood trim. There will never ever be another of these, ever again.
The more they mess around with the classic design.The uglier it gets.
I'm wondering if Chris Bangle has not left BMW at all , but has been given the Mini portfollio.
Yuck !
What next from MINI
a modern Moke only twice the size of a X5?
Sometimes less it more BMW obviously believe more is more.
Sales flop quite probable.