2010 Mini Crossover Exclusive Spy Video and Photos

We've seen it in the Arctic and on the Nürburgring. Now take a look at the upcoming 2010 Mini crossover testing in the heat of Death Valley.

With less than two months to go until its official debut, the styling of this larger, more utilitarian Mini has been finalized for quite some time. Taller, longer and less, uh, mini, than any of its siblings, this crossover will get four real doors and a swing-up hatch out back.

Although BMW has been using the placeholder name of "Crossover" when referring to the upcoming model, a recent article on Mini fan site Motoringfile suggests that the name "Countryman" is the current favorite. A Countryman version of the original Mini was built throughout the '60s, so it's nothing new to Mini.

We're still expecting a standard lineup of engines for the new four-door. The 1.6-liter four-cylinder used in the current model has decent power and delivers solid fuel economy. It will debut with front-wheel drive only, but an all-wheel-drive variant will be added later.

A Countryman with front-wheel drive will start just above the base price for a current Cooper S convertible, so figure just under $30,000. A four-wheel-drive Cooper S Countryman will probably approach $35,000. At this point in time, there is no John Cooper Works version planned, and although a diesel will be offered in Europe, there are no plans for a Countryman D in the U.S.

Look for the final production model at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show in September. U.S. sales should begin early next year.