BMW BLOG

The first crossover vehicle ever developed by the MINI brand has made another appearance. Developed under the internal name “Project Colorado”, the Crossover will be the first MINI developed outside the U.K and built by Magna Steyer, an Austrian company.

MINI Crossover will be available in two versions: the regular front-wheel-drive and a higher-end all-wheel drive model using the xDrive train from BMW.

It can hold up to four passengers and it will be longer than any existing MINI, 13 ft long (4 meters). The crossover also runs on higher wheelbase which should help bolster its off-road credentials.

Even though no official information were released regarding the engine, it is fair to assume that some of the engines found in the Cooper and Clubman models will make their way into the new Crossover, starting with the four-cylinder 1.6 liter gasoline engine (120horsepower) and the latest 1.6 liter turbocharged engine built by BMW.

The MINI Crossover, which is larger than the Clubman, will be first production MINI to measure more than 4 meters in length. Expect its exterior dimensions to be similar to the concept measuring around 4,050mm (159.5-in.) in length, 1,830mm (72.0-in.) in width and 1,598mm (62.9-in.) in height.

The MINI Crossover or Crossman as some media likes to call it, is expected to arrive in the showrooms during the second half of 2010, but it will make its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this fall.

[Source: Carscoop ]