4 x 4 mini becoming a possibility???

[Tonyt3]

I understand that the underwhelming reception that the New version of the Mini has had from the world press / buying public has got BMW/Mini thinking about some more radical headline grabbing models, with the raised possibility of a 4 wheel drive variant..... anyone got any info on this?

Sales of the new car are apparantly not as good as was hoped. The lack of a serious 'headline' model will obviously need addressing soon.

Lets hope the Clubman gets a good reception, even if it is lacking in the 'doors' department.

[Paul]

There will be a AWD MINI variant, I'd bet my, err, hat on that.

[marx87]

I Heard this too.

I also heard that the raised part of the new cooper s' bonnet is to allow a bigger engine to be fitted. 2ltr turbocharged 4wd i was told.

[Paul]

Don't believe all you're told, a 2ltr turbocharged 4x4 is, so far as I am aware, stuff of fantasy.

Check the news section for some rumours on this, and in this forum too.

[NeuroBeaker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3 (original)

Lets hope the Clubman gets a good reception, even if it is lacking in the 'doord' department.

What's a "doord"? Did an online dictionary search, but couldn't figure it out.

[Tonyt3]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

There will be a AWD MINI variant, I'd bet my, err, hat on that.

So will that be a AWD performance Mini, or a Mini SUV style 4wd offerring, would you think...?

[Tonyt3]

Quote: Originally Posted by ARCrawford (original)

What's a "doord"? Did an online dictionary search, but couldn't figure it out.

'Doors'.... editted now.... tripeing error

[ButtonIt]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3 (original)

So will that be a AWD performance Mini, or a Mini SUV style 4wd offerring, would you think...?

Hopefully the former... I can't imagine what a raised up 4wd MINI with huge black rubber bumpers would look like

[NeuroBeaker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3 (original)

'Doors'.... editted now.... tripeing error

Oh! Duh, I should have figured that one out. As it was in little quotation marks, I'd assumed it was a cool new linguistic that had passed me by.

Back to the topic at hand... I think a 4X4 mini would be neat! You certainly wouldn't want it really raised, but perhaps a little more ground clearance would be nice. Maybe get rid of those plastic bits that droop down in front of the front tyres and constantly catch speed bumps and you might have the ground clearance to actually use your capabilities on moderate terrain?

[Hat]

Quote: Originally Posted by ButtonIt (original)

Hopefully the former... I can't imagine what a raised up 4wd MINI with huge black rubber bumpers would look like

like a rover streetwise or polo dune - pointless

strong rumuors suggest the new works S will be 4wd. one sure fire way of getting the mini's profile raised would be to re-enter motorsport, & specifically rally which is where the original car earned its stripes. a 4wd drive would bring this possibility closer

[ruption33]

i think he means four whell drive. Gives better handelling etc. Like the have in the subarus and Evo's. Certainly would be a more intresting car if thye did. Its difficult to put the power down now so a 300bhp+ 2.0 turbo 4 wheel drive would be awesome.

[Paul]

"MINI SUV" - Coming From Austria in 2010?

Quote:

Rumour suggests the car will be a sort of "Soft Roader" MINI, which will help further broaden the appeal of the MINI range. The styling is said to be more bullish and aggressive than the current second generation MINI.

[Rakey]

Think Rav4 MINI, not built in Oxford and you are all getting slightly warmer

Well worth reading some of the news stories on here, its been talked about previously

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

Think Rav4 MINI, not built in Oxford and you are all getting slightly warmer

Well worth reading some of the news stories on here, its been talked about previously

Like the Mini Moke soft roader?

[Goonery]

Quote: Originally Posted by ButtonIt (original)

Hopefully the former... I can't imagine what a raised up 4wd MINI with huge black rubber bumpers would look like

The Rover Streetwise