MINI 4x4’s Paris debut

Fans of the new MINI Cross-man SUV are getting ready to make a French connection! The eagerly awaited off-roader’s public debut will be at the Paris Motor Show in October.

The rugged model will sit above the Clubman estate in the expanding line-up, and take the fight to stylish compact SUVs such as the Ford Kuga, as well as the forthcoming X1 from MINI parent company BMW.

Although the Crossman will get a strong family look, it also features a raised ride height and longer wheelbase. These changes have been necessary to accommodate not only the new four-wheel-drive running gear, but also the car’s five-door layout – because instead of the controversial Clubdoor from the estate model, the SUV will be fitted with two conventional rear passenger doors.

As a result of the stretched chassis, the Crossman will provide more room for all the occupants, particularly those in the back seats. The rest of the interior layout – including the distinctive dashboard – will be carried over virtually unchanged from the hatchback model.

Also donated from the three-door is the engine line-up, with the exception of the 1.4-litre petrol unit from the entry-level One. This will leave buyers with a choice of the 1.6-litre in 118bhp or turbocharged 173bhp guises for the Cooper and Cooper S models respectively.

Diesel fans can specify the frugal 1.6-litre Cooper D, while there’s the option of six-speed manual or auto gearboxes on all variants.

Even though it has an all-wheel-drive chassis, the Crossman will only be capable of light off-roading. Engineers are focusing instead on giving the car the same famous agility on tarmac as the hatch and estate models.

Following the French expo, the first showroom-ready cars should appear early in 2009. And the Crossman won’t be the only big news in Paris, as VW plans to pull the wraps off the revised version of its Golf Plus. The compact MPV benefits from a facelifted front end, which draws its inspiration from the brand’s Eos, Passat and Touran.