Caught earlier this year during cold-weather testing, the 2010 Mini Cooper Crossover has now hit the Nürburgring. It wears essentially the same camouflage as before, so this prototype doesn't reveal any new styling details.
Like the concept shown at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, the Mini Cooper Crossover will have four doors and a slightly larger overall size compared to the Cooper Clubman. The taller grille opening and deeper airdam are the only obvious hints at this prototype's taller stance.
Despite its larger size, the Cooper Crossover will use the same four-cylinder engines as the standard Cooper and Cooper Clubman models. The 1.6-liter isn't big, but it packs a decent punch, at least in turbocharged form. More importantly, it delivers excellent mileage so this "crossover" won't get the usual mini-SUV stigma. It will debut with front-wheel drive only, but an all-wheel-drive variant will be added later.
In standard Cooper Crossover trim, the front-wheel-drive model 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 Crossover will probably top $34,000. If you want even more power and performance, you'll have to stick with the current Cooper models, as Mini has already announced that there won't be a John Cooper Works version of the Crossover.
Look for the final production model at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show in September. U.S. sales should begin early next year.
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ggusta says:
12:30 PM, 01/21/2010
How much? Get real. More useful than the 2 door, but not at that price.