Comments on: The R60, aka MINI SUV

By: Texasspotter

Texasspotter — Mon, 02 May 2011 04:20:13 +0000

Hi Guys: What do you mean that you haven’t seen a Mini SUV.. I have. About 6 weeks ago in central Florida. At first I thought I was confused… then caught up with it on the I-state and examined it close up. It was a BIG and Tall Mini with 4 doors – clearly 4 doors unlike the Countryman etc. I am familiar with Minis (had an original) I saw it on the road between in the area of ORLANDO.

By: gavin

gavin — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:38:29 +0000

Boo Hoo Hoo – all a bunch babies

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:03:35 +0000

I love our MINI and are looking forward to the SUV version! Actually, I understand the roots of the Clubman, but knowing that the SUV was coming out, I am surprised they even released the Clubman. For my personal tastes, the Clubman looks long and awkward. The SUV concept drawings I’ve seen look far more complimentary to the MINI line and, alone, would not dilute the brand too much. Having the Clubman, though, makes too much of a good thing. For me, I would have only the MINI and the MINI SUV. That’s it. But until I actually see and drive the SUV, I won’t bag on it (and my compliments go only so far as the sketches, but based on the sketches, I like it a lot!)

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:22:21 +0000

THANK YOU! I am so pleased that i am not the only one who feels that this might be a great addition to the MINI line… Pheew! thanks!

By: db

db — Tue, 20 May 2008 23:24:25 +0000

put a 2 liter stroker motor in one o them babies, and look out loose pavement!

Sometimes you guys scare me ;)

By: pbraun

pbraun — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:28:09 +0000

ya, mon,........put a 2 liter stroker motor in one o them babies, and look out loose pavement! Here come de judge! WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Just imageine, if you can, that experience!

By: Drill

Drill — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:59:08 +0000

But hasn't MINI been slowly drifting from Sir Alec's vision since this new generation began? You could argue that the R50/53 was a modern incarnation, but the R56/55/57? Each new model that BMW/MINI bring out seems to be a step away from what Mini was. Is that BMW/MINI's fault? After all, the brand would have died out if someone somewhere hadn't thought that they could make some $$$. As for your first question, to be honest I think MINI is REALLY pushing the "Mini" thing with the R60 so I don't see them considering anything larger however I DO see them eventually suffering from the 3er Syndrome, i.e. each new generation (Cooper(S), Clubman, Crossman) will be just a bit bigger than the previous one until we wind up with a Clubman-sized Cooper (shakes head)

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 19 May 2008 08:57:00 +0000

I understand you point Drill, my question is just this.

So lets say that a owner moves from the coupe to the Clubman, and then to the R60. Doesn't this mean heck if this Mini person has four kids that Mini should then build a 3 row capable suv etc etc. I just happen to believe that being something to everyone isn't really something I would like to see Mini go.

It will bring more people to the brand, however I believe this development is a stake in the heart of more than a few in the community. I personally will never accept a suv as being part of the Mini community as I feel that this is a insult to everything that Sir Alec Issigonis believed in.

Another huge issue is going to be the price point, as the r60 is sharing many components with the upcoming x1 we once again are going to have the same issue that BMW/Mini has right now with the R56/1 series. How many people formerly looking at a JCW Cooper or performance Mini have jumped the boat for the 135i? My prediction is that the r60 is likely to be the most expensive Mini and will slot in right below the X1, which is going to diminish the impact of this car.

By: Drill

Drill — Mon, 19 May 2008 08:05:18 +0000

Jon, I think you have a valid point in that the Crossman will do some damage to brand image in the purist's eyes however I think they (BMW/MINI) feel that the opportunity to bring new customers into the brand outweighs that. As I mentioned above, it also allows some of us who are outgrowing (in a good way) our Coopers another option within the brand. I don't (yet) see this as MINI retreating from it's philosophical opposition to "Bigger is better". If MINI builds an SUV-type vehicle that is half as fun to drive as the Cooper (and still gets decent gas mileage) then I think they've hit the mark. If they instead simply build a bigger car that is as exciting to drive as an Escape... then your point becomes more than valid ;-)

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 19 May 2008 04:23:36 +0000

I do hear what your saying DB. The issue is there will always be people in the Mini community that need a auto outside of Mini's scope, how far do we want Mini to go on producing cars with that mentality?

For the last many years Mini has created a stir by presenting something in direct opposition to the bigger is better philosophy that dominated the auto industry. As a direct effect of of small cars making a comeback more than one manufacture has produced a small SUV. For me personally I feel that a good measure of the buzz Mini has created is going to be muted by Mini developing the exact same solution as every other manufacture has, a suv.

I am not sure about the idea of making the Mini brand something to everyone. To me this is taking what is so very special about the Mini brand ethic and taking up the ethic of GM.

This car will sell a ton in our size obsessed nation no doubt, but at what damage to the brand image, and to the community.