Mini recently confirmed that it intended to maximize the Mini Cooper with a crossover variant, seemingly with the name Crossman. Such a vehicle has long been rumored but had been referred to as the Colorado.
Based on our recently snapped spy shots of a running prototype, we can surmise that the Crossman is basically going to be a jacked-up version of the new Cooper-based Mini Clubman. Sort of like a Volvo XC70 in a snack-size package.
2011 Mini Crossman
Although the styling is certain to change from the Clubman, the Crossman will undoubtedly share platform and powertrain characteristics with the spunky wagonette. A bit more ground clearance and big wheels pushed way out compared with those of land-bound Minis will also afford it a bit more cross-cred.
The view from beneath the rear bumper gives away various interesting tidbits. This car has all-wheel drive, and in spite of the big hood scoop and the “S” badges on the sides, the single exhaust system shows that this particular car is not a turbocharged S-model. But we fully expect a Cooper S Crossman when the vehicle finally comes to market, likely in 2010 as a 2011 model, as that is when there will be available assembly capacity at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria. The extra capacity will come when BMW moves X3 production from the contract assembler to its own plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
2011 Mini Crossman
2011 Mini Crossman
We expect the Crossman to be available with at least the best two of the Mini Cooper’s miserly four-cylinder engines—the only ones we get in the States, anyway. The direct-injection 1.6-liter inline-fours produce 118 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque in the Clubman and 172 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque when turbocharged for the Cooper S version.
Europeans likely will also have a turbo-diesel D Crossman with automatic start/stop and regenerative braking—fuel-saving technology not available on Minis in the U.S.
Meanwhile, we will have to wait to find out how much the added weight of the drivetrain and rolling stock will affect the Mini Crossman’s spunky personality.
Based on our recently snapped spy shots of a running prototype, we can surmise that the Crossman is basically going to be a jacked-up version of the new Cooper-based Mini Clubman. Sort of like a Volvo XC70 in a snack-size package.
2011 Mini Crossman
Although the styling is certain to change from the Clubman, the Crossman will undoubtedly share platform and powertrain characteristics with the spunky wagonette. A bit more ground clearance and big wheels pushed way out compared with those of land-bound Minis will also afford it a bit more cross-cred.
The view from beneath the rear bumper gives away various interesting tidbits. This car has all-wheel drive, and in spite of the big hood scoop and the “S” badges on the sides, the single exhaust system shows that this particular car is not a turbocharged S-model. But we fully expect a Cooper S Crossman when the vehicle finally comes to market, likely in 2010 as a 2011 model, as that is when there will be available assembly capacity at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria. The extra capacity will come when BMW moves X3 production from the contract assembler to its own plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
We expect the Crossman to be available with at least the best two of the Mini Cooper’s miserly four-cylinder engines—the only ones we get in the States, anyway. The direct-injection 1.6-liter inline-fours produce 118 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque in the Clubman and 172 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque when turbocharged for the Cooper S version.
Europeans likely will also have a turbo-diesel D Crossman with automatic start/stop and regenerative braking—fuel-saving technology not available on Minis in the U.S.
Meanwhile, we will have to wait to find out how much the added weight of the drivetrain and rolling stock will affect the Mini Crossman’s spunky personality.
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