BMW BLOG

As we approach the Frankfurt Auto Show, many of the new cars introduced there are stepping up their testing trials and implicitly, showing more “skin”. This time, the spies over at Worldcarfans have picked up the upcoming MINI Crossman or Countryman, the name we think it will be sold under.

Despite the same psychedelic camouflage, for the first time we can see some design elements at the front end. The less round headlights are different from what we’ve seen on the Concept revealed in Paris last year. Moving downward, the front bumper appears to have a wider separation between the  top and bottom grille sections.

Even though the side mirrors sport those signal indicators, we believe this is the usual MINI/BMW diversion and that the production model will not feature them. At the rear end, the Crossman/Countryman reveal a vertical hatch, opposite from the Concept which showed us horizontal doors.

In the engine department, there will be no major changes compared to the other MINI models. According to our sources, the MINI Crossover will be available in two versions: the usual MINI front-wheel-drive and ab all-wheel drive version built on the xDrive platform from BMW. With a driving position higher than the regular MINIs, the Crossover/Countryman/Crossman is longer than any other MINI models out there: 13 ft long(approx. 4 meters).

While the concept was called the “Crossman”, BMW has recently registered the Countryman name. The production model will make its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show and sales will commence later this year.

[Source: WCF ]