The Moke is back! MINI bosses have given Auto Express strong hints that the buggy-inspired Beachcomber concept will be sent down the production line.
Designed to show off the new Countryman crossover, the stripped-down Beachcomber proved a massive hit when it was revealed at the Detroit Motor Show in January.
So much so that MINI is close to giving it the green light. Head of brand management Dr Wolfgang Armbrecht said: “We will come back to this to see if there is a business basis, as we were overwhelmed by the reaction. MINI will never show a concept that won’t make production.”
The Beachcomber was built around the road-ready version of the Countryman, but lost the doors and roof panels in homage to the Moke – the legendary Mini-based take on the classic beach buggy. Its four individual seats are wrapped in wetsuit material for all-weather durability, and the rear-mounted spare wheel holder is actually a lockable storage box. If the weather takes a turn for the worse, a fabric tonneau can be attached to the car, while more long-term rain protection is provided by lightweight, removable plastic door and roof panels.
As with the Moke – made from 1964 to 1993 – the Beachcomber has a metal, body-coloured grille, only this time the designers have inserted driving lights. Off-road ability is enhanced by higher ground clearance than the Countryman, as well as chunky tyres. Plus, the new ALL4 four-wheel-drive system is likely to be included as standard.
If it is built, the Beachcomber would have few natural rivals – perhaps only the permanently open-topped Smart Crossblade.
And the name? Bank on Moke, if Dr Armbrecht’s comments are anything to go by. “MINIs need authentic names,” he said.
The Countryman goes on sale in the UK in September, with prices starting at £16,000 for the 1.6-litre One model.
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I hope its not a Brit Team!
Just when one thinks it cannot get worse along comes BMW with a new monstrosity!
This thing looks like an economy version of a North Korean Army Gaz Jeep or similar!
The name Beachcomber is very apt - it looks just like a piece of Flotsam.
This Armbrecht guy seems to have a lot of optimism - just like the BMW Formula I team?
Poor Mini!
I hope its not a Brit Team!
Just when one thinks it cannot get worse along comes BMW with a new monstrosity!
This thing looks like an economy version of a North Korean Army Gaz Jeep or similar!
The name Beachcomber is very apt - it looks just like a piece of Flotsam.
This Armbrecht guy seems to have a lot of optimism - just like the BMW Formula I team?
Poor Mini!
OH NO BMW...DO NOT DO IT....
Don't you have any Class any longer...
This Thing is an abomination...
Who really would buy it and CAN it Pass World Wide design and safety Regulations??
I'm no fan of the MINI brand, but I could see this being very popular. Here in the hot bit of the world, this kind of vehicle, with its mild off-road ability has a considerable attraction. Surfer dudes and the get-away-from-it-all types would love this, and as a holiday rental it'd be snapped up -if the price were right, which is BMW's Achilles heel. Not every car has to be sold in Surbiton.
I really hope this goes into production, I think it looks well cool.
If I lived in a hot country i would seriously consider it!
Agree with Pedro, think it would be a superb rental car.
Class? REGULATIONS?? Sod that: this car looks like FUN, and God knows we could all do with a little more of that these days!
I like it!
Yes, sod the regulations.
And while we're at it lets get out of the EU before these pathetic day running lights come in.
I really don't like the regular mini. The things just look too "cute". This one is alright though.
No, Car designers don't think about safety regulations. They just make 10,000 of them and then cross their fingers. Idiot.
Your ability to ask the real hard hitting questions no one else dare ask should have at least earned you a place on loose women by now.
And as for the design, well guess what, the original moke had the same utilitarian character and also resembled a jeep, because that's what it was, a mini converted into a jeep.
This treatment has been given to all sorts of 4x4's and uprated versions of street cars throughout history. and they always look bulky, utilitarian and rugged because that's what they are. If you don't understand why it is the way it is then maybe go learn something rather than bawking at it because it doesn't look like you want it to.
It looks like FUN, a concept clearly beyond either of you.
And for the record I worked at The Austin Motor Company Ltd in 1959 at the time of the introduction of the ADO15 Family starting from the plain Austin Mini Seven and Morris Mini Minor right through to the Coopers and up to twin engined Mokes etc!
Amongst others the flashy Nash Metropoltan was being built there at the same time with aound 90% going to the States then.
I understand FUN cars very well - I spent some time later at The MG Car Company in Abingdon starting with MGAs B Series and Twin Cam, MGBs, Spridgets and Austin Healey 3000s etc and learnt the hard ways selling cars all over the world!
To sell cars on a world wide basis and make decent profit they have not only to be right, they have to look right and this Thing does not! It will probably be made by MAGNA in Graz if BMW decide to risk it!
If it comes in at 12/13k it might stand a chance, but will it ........NO.......... they will price it out of reach from thousands.
By shere chance if it does come in at 12k ish my order will go in.
Bob
I can't believe I'm defending BMW/MINI but I think this car looks dead right. It'd look better in some more lively colours, perhaps. I'd like to see one in the flesh to get a proper impression.
I just rode through las Dunas where all the surfers -kite, wind, longboard and wannabes park up, alongside all the other holiday makers, and believe me, this car would go down a storm -***at the right price***. Heck, I might even like to try one myself (as a Mehariite, that's akin to heresy). It may not suit you -and I don't like the MINI on principle myself- but I can see that BMW are on to a Good Thing with the brand and they're generally very good cars.
Take your point but still think that BMW are overdoing the Mini Thing and certainly not giving value for money like the original ADO 15s did!
And put it the otherway round there are better alternatives for the hard earned money of customers!
I am just disappointed no one comes along and makes, even with fibreglass body parts something like to original Willy Ford Jeep but in modern terms.
In view of BMWs increasing use of MAGNA down in Graz Steyr I have a sneaking feeling this is the beginning maybe of transferring more production down there and even dropping Oxford!
When shareholder value is under pressure......!
So what? that was 50 years ago. I know a lot of engineers who trash every new car because it's not like it was in the good old days. It's always the same...they got the styling wrong, and they got the name wrong, blah blah blah, it's just boring.
The same stuff was said about the first new mini and look at it now. This might sell, it might not but it's 2010 and they're having a go with something different, which i applaud them for.
Banging on about austin or mg way back when is redundant, boring and an invalid comparison. I think the old Moke looks awful, it looks like a scrapheap challenge reject. but it also looks like fun.
And that is the key point you're missing, it doesn't have to be a pretty little roadster to be fun. The cars you so proudly reference are fine for their time, but their modern equivalents are widely regarded as hairdressers cars.
This car looks like a laugh, and it would appear that a lot of other younger people feel the same. So congratulations for working for austin 50 years ago but it's not relevant and not going to change anyone's opinion.