Was made aware of this post (and your blog, and the fact you stopped commenting on MF, sad to hear it) just yesterday when I was listening to the particular episode of WRR (I have some catching up to do, almost there).

You have some fair points, and you’ve certainly made my opinion on the SAV a little milder. I think, though, Gabe on WRR put my feelings on the SAV into words rather nicely. Does it make business sense for Mini to do this? Probably. Do I personally like it? No. The concept of an SAV seems to be going completely against what I thought Mini stood for. (Will I sell my R50, or my classic Mini, or give up the ambition to once own an R53? Heck no! :))

I think the biggest thing we have to keep in mind is that what a MINI is or isn’t doesn’t really belong to us. We (at least most of us) own MINIs, but we don’t own MINI. We’re passionate about the brand, and that’s awesome, but ultimately it’s the opinions of people like Gert who get to decide what is or isn’t a MINI.

I think you’ve struck a central point there. To the US, Mini is a new brand, for most intents and purposes. Who else to decide what to do with it but the owner of the brand, right? Over here in Europe, for fourty years (or so), it has been pretty darn clear what a Mini was. (Ironically, the manufacturer didn’t really get to decide what a Mini was. They’ve tried releasing the Mini Metro, which evolved into the Rover 100. It was meant to replace the classic Mini, but the classic Mini outlasted it. Same thing for the original Clubman (square-nosed Mini); the “normal” Mini outlasted it).

Now, only quite recently, the new owner, BMW, has taken complete control over the Mini (I think it’s fair to say that BMW has only completely gotten rid of any influence from Rover with the R56, or possibly with the Clubman-concepts) and they are pushing this brand harder than it has been for decades. My gut feeling is saying to me, what gives them the right to go and redefine what a Mini is? The rational answer is: ownership. Is that enough from an emotional standpoint? Hardly :)

I also don’t feel BMW is beholding to me… let me try this… Paul McCartney is one helluva a song writer on that most of us could agree, well his earlier stuff at least. He obviously can do whatever he wishes with his talent but I can’t imagine McCartney all of sudden putting out a “RAP” album. Probably would sell but what’s the point? Others do it very well, there is more than enough of it, it’s out of character for him so why would we need a “McCartney does RAP” CD or MINI does Escalade, H3, or Cayman? What’s the point!

There was a comment here about the lineage of BMC. Hum seems the Riley and the Elf and so on were not a MINI derivative but a stand alone part of BMC or Leyland. The other MINIs mentioned were in the same size category of the original MINI, but please correct me if I’m wrong. I personally think, this SAV, SUV or whatever they are calling this thing is really a MNN (MINI Not Needed).

All wheel drive yes but this, for me, nope.

Hey, here’s a tagline for it…. “BMW’s Colorado, When a MINI just won’t do!” ;-)

Thanks for a moment of clarity. I look back on the original Mini and see BMW doing many of the same things BMC did. If anyone bothered to look at the true lineage of the Mini they would see some interesting additions to the fleet. Yes MINI should build a pickup, a van, an estate, an Elf, and a Hornet.

Let’s add AWD, a JCW kit and motor to the south of France and take the Monte back.

Happy Motoring,
Jack

This crossover will still be small. Let’s not forget that.

Yup. Pretty sure that’s what I said.

Whenever I came across your posts, I was consistently struck by two thoughts; how eloquent and informed your comments were – irrespective of subject matter, and how similar our opinions were, even taking into consideration my inevitable bias! I love the Clubman, I love the R56, and I think this Crossman will be superb.

It is evident that you are a scholar and a gentleman, and I just wish that a few more contributors to two of my favourite websites would take a cue from you, and be just a little more considered in their diatribe!