MINI Countryman; Paceman in 2012, WRC Edition

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joey D
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I was watching a tv show on the discovery channel the other day, it was called daily planet and they had a segment on BMW testing an AWD Mini Cooper in the Canadian winter I believe. So I guess it could be a drivetrain mule of this upcoming Mini SUV, but the idea of a normal AWD Mini cooper sure looks like fun.
 
There has been talk of making an AWD Cooper S which would be pretty cool, although I don't know about the weight.
 
Joey D
There has been talk of making an AWD Cooper S which would be pretty cool, although I don't know about the weight.
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Something like that with around 250hp would be pretty awesome. I don't think AWD would be justified (apart from bad weather) with 170hp or however much the Cooper S makes now.
 
The S makes 172hp now and I think the JCW kit bumps it to 198hp or something. But I don't know how much power you would want to squeeze out of the 1.6L, I'm sure reliability becomes and issue. Maybe a 2.0L, 280hp, AWD version would be good...it would be up there with the Evo and STI although probably not as fast.
 
Personally speaking, I think it makes a lot of sense. Living in Michigan, I'd love to have a quasi-off-road car that can do its duty in the snow and still have a decent amount of "fun" the rest of the year. Its hard to come by, and honestly, if it can look as good and be built as well as a MINI, then I'm all for it...
 
Mini-Crossover.jpg


The MINI Crossover is coming...

I like the grille... We'll see when more details emerge...
 
The design is certainly pleasing, I really like it. Simple, but the graphics around the schnoz could be more interesting. The grille itself is too thick, steamline-moderne and is kindof pastiche or simulacrum as I don't really see any of that in British car design...

Channeling that expensive design education!!!
 
I really like it actually, make the grill slightly less tall, and put some rims similar to the Cooper S ones in black on it!
 
That grille wouldn't work with the Cooper's, it would be to big for the vehicle.
 
Not keen. But then it is a concept. A toned-down production version might look a little less weird.

I wouldn't want a MINI crossover/4x4 to be all spangly anyway, covered in trinkets and chrome. I'd rather it was more rugged, de-chromed, with fatter tyres and a spare wheel mounted on the tailgate. Or even better, the roof, like the Cooper S rally cars of days gone.
 
I was hoping for a rally-esque vehicle as well. Sort of a Cooper that sits up a couple inches higher. I doubt the standard model will have a ton of chrome though, MINI makes you pay for it....but then again there isn't much that company doesn't make you pay for on it's cars :lol:.
 
:lol: True. Though do you guys get the servicing option we got in the UK (don't know if we still get it though). Basically, if you paid £100 up front, it paid for your servicing for the next five years of ownership. Which was a stunning deal.

Back on topic though, yeah I'd have preferred something a bit less bling. Like a cross between a normal MINI and a Land Rover Defender. Matt plastic cladding coming to half way up the doors, a genuine metal scratch plate along the leading edge of the bumper, suspension raised by a couple of inches...sort of like the VW CrossFox (or even better, like the Dakar Panda) but an actual 4x4 and more fit for actual off-road use.
Volkswagen_CrossFox.jpg


In fact, given half an hour and some photo editing...

In the words of Peter Griffin:

"Wimpy wimpy wim-py!"
Mini-Crossover.jpg


"HEFTY HEFTY HEF-TY!"
minisav1.jpg
 
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NICE! Now if they would have done something like that, I'd be all over it!

That isn't to say that I don't like the idea, however. I'm still under the impression that the small 4X4 market is being completely ignored here in the US, particularly in states like mine where snow can become a nasty problem for nearly half the year. Equip it with a Haldex system, and kick it out the door. As long as it stays fairly fuel efficent and fun to drive, I'd consider getting one.

...Well, after a Fiesta...
 
95GTIVR6
They would have to change the brand to BIGI rather than MINI.
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I said that when they first brought out the modern Mini. It is not mini in any way shape of form, I've never liked it, what particularly looked odd about it was how seemingly wide it is.

Anyway, this looks even worse...
 
I really like the door innovation that's on it with the one sliding and the other opening more traditionally. I figure this is just a testing thing though to see which one works better, but who knows. I am curious what engine will go into it, I assume the turbocharged 1.6L from the Cooper S and the 1.6L DV6 diesel engine from the Cooper D. Although I would be willing to bet the US get's shafted on the diesel engine again.
 
The US should get the Diesel Mini.. err MINI. They are good cars, and from the review from the Top Gear Magazine from January they said it was better in every possible way then a Prius so yeah. GIMMIE THE MINI D!
 
Gets better mileage than the Prius as well as far as I know, at least that's what people have reported to me. I guess people are never going to be accept of diesels in the US which is a shame, I would live a Cooper D, it would be fun and fuel efficient.
 
I think people would accept diesels (I belong to a Jeep forum and people there seem to be begging for a diesel Wrangler), it's just that the gov'ment thinks that they aren't clean enough.
 
I don't, people have this concept that they are slow, noisy, and dirty. I guess they think of semi trucks or something. I only see a few people with VW TDI's, although there are many HD pickups with diesels in them, but they clearly aren't daily drivers and more of a work truck.
 

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