The MINI is toughening up – with this new 4x4 model, on sale next year.Sitting above the Clubman estate variant, it will further develop the MINI line-up, and compete with other lifestyle SUVs such as the Ford Kuga. The model will also rival forthcoming prestige brand 4x4s like the BMW X1, with which it shares underpinnings. Bosses haven’t decided on a name yet, but Auto Express has learned that Crossman is leading the charge as the favoured badge at this stage. As you can see from our pictures – produced using inside information – the MINI SUV takes the look that was debuted by the Club-man and adds a bit more muscle. It features extra body cladding and a raised ride height to provide a more beefy stance and a chunky shape. Details such as the roof rails and side rubbing strips complete the look.Yet with its bold circular headlights, oversized grille and trademark clamshell bonnet, the newcomer still has the cheeky appearance of the hatch. And that’s vital – owner BMW didn’t want too aggressive a design that would tread on the toes of the X1, or alienate the legions of buy-ers who are loyal to the MINI brand. While the styling is clearly inspired by the Clubman, the 4x4 has a more conventional layout – there are two proper rear passenger doors, instead of the single ‘Clubdoor’ that features on the estate. These combine with the distinctive twin van-style openings on the tailgate – also seen on the Club-man – to ensure the off-road MINI is the most practical car in the range.As it sits on a stretched version of the standard load-lugger’s platform, the SUV will offer more space inside. That means there will be adequate room in the back for two adults – although thanks to those rear doors, access should be much better. The dashboard and all other interior detailing will be carried over from the Clubman. But the question on the lips of all MINI fans is: will the latest MINI be a proper off-roader, like the Land Rover Freelander? Not really. The SUV will be biased towards on-road use, and won’t sacrifice the agile, driver-pleasing hand-ling for which MINI has become famous. Nevertheless, there will be a full-time four-wheel-drive system, said to have been developed by transmission expert Getrag. Add in the raised ride height, and the car will be reasonably capable over rough terrain – easily rugged enough for most buyers. Top brass are conscious they are introducing an SUV at a time of feverish environmental awareness, so they will make the model the cleanest and most frugal fuel-wise in its class. As a result, every variant will benefit from the Efficient Dynamics tweaks seen elsewhere in the range, with a stop-start system cutting the engine when the car comes to a standstill and a clever alternator control which only charges the battery when needed. The engine line-up will be carried over from the Clubman, although an entry-level One model isn’t likely to be offered. That means buyers will be able to choose from the 118bhp 1.6-litre Cooper, the 109bhp 1.6-litre diesel Cooper D and the flagship 173bhp 1.6-litre Cooper S. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, with an automatic box on the options list.Testing of the SUV is well underway – as revealed by our spy shots (see panel, right). But fans will have to be patient, as it will be some time before the final showroom model is ready. As it did with the Clubman, MINI will preview the car with a series of concepts, and the first is expected to be displayed at a major motor show later this year. Production will start shortly afterwards – the off-roader is being assembled at the Magna Steyr plant in Austria because MINI’s factory in Oxford is already at peak capacity – and the car will arrive in dealers here towards the end of 2009. There’s no official word on prices yet, but with the Clubman starting at £14,235, entry-level models are likely to kick off at around £15,500.
