2010 Mini Crossman
BMW's Mini brand unveiled a new crossover wagon that might be called Crossman when it goes on sale in early 2010 (concept pictured). See pictures of the Mini Cooper. ­

Consumer Guide's Impressions of the 2010 Mini Crossman

Update: Mini is calling this vehicle the Countryman. Please click here for more information on the 2011 Mini Countryman.

Take one Mini Clubman, lift the suspension, add all-wheel drive, and season with SUV styling flavor. That's BMW's recipe for a cute new crossover wagon.

What We Know About the 2010 Mini Crossman

It's no secret that BMW is planning to expand its Mini brand into a multi-model line. The mainstay two-door hatchback "hardtop," redesigned for '08, is being joined by the extended-body Clubman, which BMW hopes you won't regard as an uncool station wagon (even if it does resemble one). Next on the list is an updated Mini convertible based on the redesigned hatchback and again offering Cooper and supercharged Cooper S versions for the U.S. market. It's expected late in calendar 2009. Old-style ragtops have recently ended production, but BMW isn't worried. In fact, demand for all Minis is stronger than ever, thanks to an appealing combination of cuddly retro styling, sporty driving manners, and budget-saving fuel economy to combat soaring gas prices.

What's next? Try a Clubman in a crossover-SUV costume with standard all-wheel drive. This, too, is no secret. BMW freely admits it's on the agenda, and spy photos of high-riding Clubman-based prototypes are all over the place. Only the name is in doubt, thanks to conflicting statements from BMW and Mini officials. For now, however, it appears that the cutest SUV this side of Japan will be badged Crossman--as in CROSSover ClubMAN. (The project was code-named "Colorado," by the way.)

Updated by Don Sikora II 09.12.2008


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