Paris concept: chunky MINI Crossover

MINI buyers looking for an off-road adventure will like the Crossover Concept unveiled in Paris this week. A rugged new interpretation of the Clubman estate, the Crossover Concept gets four-wheel drive and even more versatility.

What's all the fuss about?

MINI can do no wrong, its plucky small cars a huge hit all over the world. With the new Crossover Concept MINI is opening up a whole new world of off-road possibilities to buyers. The Crossover follows the usual formula for an off-road enabled vehicle, MINI adding a four-wheel drive transmission shared with the forthcoming BMW X1, raised ground clearance and tougher looking additions to the bodywork. The result is a more rugged looking MINI, that's at home in the wilds of the country as it is in the city.

Any new technology?

Aside from the four-wheel drive system and off-road enabled suspension, the Crossover adds some versatility to the MINI line up. The biggest MINI ever - at four metres in length - the Crossover Concept adds much needed interior space, MINI also offering a novel approach to entering the interior. Being the first four-door MINI, the Crossover's passenger side has two conventional doors. The driver's door is also as you'd expect, but the rear door behind it is on a slider, giving a huge access area to the passenger compartment. Around the back the boot door features a frameless, retractable window and the door itself is hinged on the side to help load longer items. If all that additional space isn't enough MINI offers a transport case that can be fitted to the rear of the car.

Will it ever see the light of day?

Rumours of a four-wheel drive MINI have been around since the new MINI was first introduced and this concept is the biggest hint yet that it might happen. Some of the concept's more wacky details like the centre console rail that allows fastening of accessories such as cupholders, storage units and entertainment consoles are unlikely to reach production, while the two single rear seats would more than likely be replaced by a conventional bench design. If you like the idea of an off-road enabled MINI, then register your interest with MINI and it might just build it.

Kyle Fortune