source : autowereld.com

 

Very ummm interesting Not a big fan of this extended version

 

me neither.

 

Doing a bit too much. Whats next a four door Beetle.

 

If this is too much, how about that mini limo with a pickup bed that's posted here ?

 

ummm, just give methe coupe please...

 

They need to stop. Horrible.

Isnt this kinda contradicting?? A Stretch Mini??

 

The MINI Cooper is able to remain agile and tossable as a FWD car only because it has a short wheelbase. Once stretched, I suspect that all that advantage will be gone.

In that case, I'll take a RWD 130i before a stretched MINI.

 

so it's no longer a MINI....

 

Worse than the 4 door Smart car.

 

 

when they do a thing like this, starts to make it look like a pt cruiser. bad news in my book.

 

Date Posted 09-09-2005

FRANKFURT, Germany — Frankfurt show goers will get a Mini surprise. BMW's British division will give the first glimpse of the second-generation Mini with a new concept car called Countryman.

The car is a preview of the wagon version of the next-generation Mini, due in 2007. At least six body styles and two wheelbases are expected. The Countryman will be the first example of the longer wheelbase.

The five-door concept is a retro-styled "woody" based on the 1960s Mini Countryman — itself a miniaturized version of the kind of U.S. wagon beloved by surfer dudes. The new concept revives the wooden frame, as well as a pair of vertically split rear doors instead of a tailgate, and rear-hinged rear doors similar to the Mazda RX-8's.

Although this concept will be called Countryman, the final-production model might take either the Clubman or Traveller name. Traveller is more likely; Clubman could end up being a three-door wagon version. Other versions of the new Mini will include straight replacements for the current hatchback and cabrio, plus a pickup and a two-seat roadster.

What this means to you: There's a Mini for everybody in the next-generation range, especially for surfer dudes.

source : Edmunds Insideline

 

[

by Hans G. Lehmann
Copyright by Lehmann Photo-Syndication
05-25-2006


MINI – first time undisguised:
In September of this year BMW will launch the second generation Mini. The new model is expected to become only slightly bigger, and the styling carefully adapts the traditional features of the current successful car. However, it can be easily recognized by its different front – and rear end with larger round headlights and bigger taillights. Reason for the newly designed higher front end is not only the use of the new larger high-tech 1.6 litre fuel engine developed by BMW but also that it includes a pedestrian protection in case of an accident.

MINI Traveller
Exactly one year later BMW will add for the first time a wagon version to the model range which will be called Traveller. It is 20 cm longer in overall length than the new sedan and has a split rear door hinged at the sides. In addition, the prototypes are revealing second side-rear doors, which are narrower than the front doors – similar to the style of Mazda’s RX 8. On the pictures these doors are still under some taped disguise. All in all the Mini Traveller is more of a low and long car rather than a high and mighty-one like a Fiat Punto or the new Opel Corsa.

The photos are showing:
The undisguised new Mini Cooper without any disguise. Very minor tape disguise was taken off the front end by computer. Three photos are showing a dark Mini sedan prototype. Three more photos showing prototypes of the new Traveller station wagon.

source HERE

 

So, the Traveller is pretty much the same MINI but with an 8-inch-long butt and suicide doors for the rear passengers? When I travel, the last car I think I would use is the MINI. Keep the MINI as a quircky everyday commuter car...