MINI Beachcomber Concept Close To Production Green Light: Report

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May 27, 2010
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REVEALED AT last year's Detroit Auto Show, new reports out of Europe this week suggest that production of the MINI Beachcomber Concept is close to gaining approval.

According to Britain's AutoExpress, ongoing positive feedback for the BeachComber concept has moved MINI to tag the high-riding compact SUV for possible production.

 

“We will come back to this to see if there is a business basis, as we were overwhelmed by the reaction," MINI's brand boss Dr Wolfgang Ambrecht told AutoExpress.

"MINI will never show a concept that won’t make production.”

 

Built as a preview for the MINI Countryman (due in Australia early next year), the Beachcomber features the ALL4 all-wheel-drive system used in the Countryman, along with a number of its styling elements.

Utilising the same platform and basic mechanical setup as the Countryman, putting the BeachComber into production wouldn't require a massive investment.

Featuring an open-body style reminiscent of the iconic Mini Moke, the Beachcomber Concept was designed to be as much at home on mountain trails and the beach as MINI's Cooper range is on the road.

 

“It’s an exciting look at what the future could hold for MINI," MINI Australia's Justin Hocevar said at the BeachComber's launch last year.

"If the MINI Beachcomber Concept did eventuate I think it would be very well suited to the Australian landscape and way of life, especially given our propensity for coastal living and appetite for adventure, leisure and fun.”

 

Measuring four metres long, MINI says the Beachcomber offers an ideal pairing of unique style and practicality for the brand's "modern, lifestyle-oriented" buyers.

The Beachcomber features reinforced A- and D-pillars and MINI's ALL4 all-wheel-drive system, all of which are expected to appear in the upcoming crossover.

While the Beachcomber is built on a robust modern chassis, the Mini Moke it draws its inspiration from was little more than a floorpan with wide sills, an engine and a windscreen.

A true 60s creation popular in Australia, production of the Mini Moke continued until 1968 and reached a production volume of more than 14,500 units.


GALLERY: 2010 MINI Beachcomber Concept

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Comments

  • auto [reply]
    8 months ago 0 points
    looks ok.
  • Shifter [reply]
    8 months ago 0 points
    Should be a fun little car. Would be interesting to see how much they would ask for it if it went into production.
  • daviepops [reply]
    8 months ago 0 points
    I love it ... this is way better than the weird style of contrived coupe concept ... if it goes into production it well be a big hit in Australia.
  • Luke Skywalker [reply]
    8 months ago 0 points
    Gnnaarrrrr. Help! How do I get vomit out from between the keys on my keyboard - I've just puked all over it!

    Ok, I'm exaggerting a tiny bit, but still :) Thankfully only a concept. Note any real version would require a door..or two....or even three given the 'clubman'!
  • Guts [reply]
    8 months ago 0 points
    they are milking the current mini platform dry with all these lame concepts.

    big question, where to from here with regards to design direction

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