MINI Expands Choices with Larger Crossover, Teases with Concept Coupe

The MINI has been a resounding success for BMW, so it’s not surprising that BMW continues to add models to capitalize on the brand’s popularity. The original MINI sedan has already been joined by the MINI Convertible and MINI Clubman. A small number of electric-powered MINI-E is already on the road. BMW has shown two more models, the MINI Crossover that’s now scheduled as a 2010 model and the MINI Coupe Concept.

Breaking new ground, the MINI Crossover is the largest MINI and the first one with all-wheel drive. It measures in at over four meters ( a bit under 13 feet) in length, about a foot longer than the Clubman. It also has a 102.6-inch wheelbase compared to the 97 inch wheelbase of the basic MINI and is a foot wider at 72 inches. All this adds up to a much larger interior. A higher ride is also offered should you want to go off-road.

The Crossover Concept has an interesting five-door arrangement. The front and right passenger doors open conventionally while the left door slides out and back like a minivan, and there is no B pillar on this side. Rather than the Clubman's two rear doors, it has a single door opening to the right. All four individual seats are adjustable fore and aft. Whether these features will be retained in the production versions is uncertain.

Powering the Crossover will likely be the naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engines as available in the other MINI Coopers. BMW's EfficientDynamics system with start-stop capability will probably be part of the package.

Announced on the Mini’s 50th birthday, the MINI Coupe Concept is strictly a two-passenger coupe with the rear area holding 8.8 cubic feet of luggage. The large and wide-opening tailgate is hinged so the entire tailgate and rear window swing up. The Coupe Concept’s sheetmetal below the beltline comes from the MINI Convertible with the addition of some unique styling, like a wider front air dam and a revised rear air dam that includes a two-section diffuser to smooth out airflow beneath the car.

The most unique part of the design is the ‘love-it-or-hate-it’ styling of the top. The Concept features a more raked windshield with the greenhouse a couple of inches lower than on the MINI Cooper sedan. Its aluminum roof reduces weight and helps lower the car’s center of gravity. The rear spoiler features a wing profile at the same level as the C-pillar, which effectively guides air along the rear end in a way that increases aerodynamic down force on the rear axle.

All this would make it easy to put the coupe model into production, and in fact some of the styling cues could be used as facelifts across the entire MINI lineup. The Coupe could be easily transformed into the often rumored MINI Speedster. Like the two-seat MINI-E, perhaps there could be an electric Coupe as well.