The Mini Cooper has been hit for parent company BMW, but there are still a lot of potential customers out there who can't quite fit their families into a tiny subcompact. That's why Mini's introducing the Cooper Countryman, a small SUV almost 16 inches longer than the Mini Cooper. The brand's first four-door model, it will go on sale in the U.S. early next year.
Folks, we have a winner for "Silliest Vehicular Idea EVAH". I thought the Porsche Cayenne had that title sewed up - I mean, let's face it, when you hear the word "Porsche", the image that's conjured up is a sleek European sports car, not some bloated pig of an SUV. Oh sure, the advertisements were quick to point out the sports car heritage, with TV ads showing some namebrand-slave putting his cell phone outside so the person on the other end could hear his Porsche, but in the end, you still have a VW Toureg with a lion on the front. BFD.
But here we have something to top even that. We have the Mini, a brand resurrected from the dead to capitalize on the retro fad wrought by the VW Beetle, being turned into a gross caricature of itself. The Mini, originally intended to become an updated version of the campy Morris Mini, has now bloated up to SUV size. Here's a tip: People don't buy Minis because they want legroom or cargo carrying capacity. They buy one because it's a cute little car that gets good gas mileage that's an alternative to some generic econobox from Seoul...
I shudder to think of what the next manufacturer to offer an SUV will be - will we see a Maserati or Ferarri model?
That is all.
23 comments:
Maserati did unveil a concept SUV, the Kubang, a while back. The Quattroporte is best looking cars you can buy today... the Kubang, not so much. I won't link to a picture because it is pure travesty.
Off-roading Smart cars should be next!
http://www.automotoportal.com/article/smart_forfun2_The_combination_of_two_vehicles_with_cult_status
fixed link
Lamborghini done did it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamborghini_LM002
I have, without a single doubt, the greatest readers and commenters in the entire blogosphere...
I'm a bit surprised Ferarri hasn't made something SUV-ish. IIRC, they were making tractors before they made cars.
To be honest... This might fit a nice niche with SAAB turning into compost. My wife has been lamenting the inability to upgrade to a Saab Combi (SUV-like station wagon) and there's little out there to fit the "european sporty family car" image. (Hey, that's what she like). This being from BMW and having enough room for the growing boys and the dog might be a consideration in the future.
Just sayin'...
Ugh. Did you see motor trend's suv of the year? Subaru Outback. It's a station wagon with AWD. Maybe it's because I drive a 15 year old jeep (what my mind thinks an suv should be), but none of these new things seem to qualify for the category they are marketed in.
Here's something else: the detroit free press voted a van as the truck of the year. http://www.freep.com/article/200912240300/BUSINESS02/912240445
I'm holding out for the "Smart" SUV. That will have room for two passengers PLUS some groceries ....
It's a MINI......only not actually mini.
What in the hell are they thinking? That's like Mazda coming out with a new RX-9 but ditching the rotary and sticking a pistol motor in it.
From a Cooper S owner: This is bad karma...
Steve, how do you like the Mini? I'll be paying off the truck hopefully by the end of next year, and looking for a small commuter car to add to the G. garage.
I've been thinking about a Mini Cooper basically because they're nicer than a Chevy Aveo and associated ilk. Basically I want something small enough to fit in the garage with the Harley in the summer time...
What's the gas mileage like, especially?
Off-roading Smart cars should be next!
David, do an image search on "Smart car modifie", it's entertaining for like 20 pages.
Seriously.
The Vette one is hard to top
The Porsche one is laugh out loud comical.
For the next silliest car idea, my vote is for resurrecting Trabant brand, and making the next Trabant a truck.
@Lokidude: Actually, Ferruccio Lamborghini was a successful manufacturer of farm equipment. Successful enough to afford a Ferrari 250GT. After repeated clutch repairs, and himself being another mover and shaker; he got in touch with Enzo Ferrari personally to complain. Enzo essentially called him an ignorant farmer and told him to go back to driving tractors.
Thus was Lamborghini developed as a supercar marque. Not from desire or ambition, but from pure spite.
Heck, I think that almost qualifies ole' Ferruccio as an Honorary American!
Hey, Mr. Bean wouldn't approve of a Mini-SUV, and that's good enough for me.
Maserati SUV
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&um=1&sa=1&q=maserati+suv&aq=f&oq=&aqi=&start=0
Ferrari SUV
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&um=1&sa=1&q=ferrari+suv&aq=f&oq=&aqi=&start=0
Jay, for what you pay for the "new" Mini, you might consider doin a search and finding an original Cooper S, heh.
emdfl
I'd prefer something reliable that I don't need to sell a kidney to find parts for (I already have a VEPR).
I'll most likely wind up with a Yaris or Versa, because they're well-made and reliable.
But it would be very sweet to score a little MINI or GTI to play with...
I still think the Saab 9-7 is worse. Basically an Olds Bravada minus the cladding, (an improvement, granted) and a Saab console-mounted ignition, and up to a 6 liter V8. Can't think of anything much less Saab-like.
They Cayenne doesn't bother me. Porshe was doing Paris-Dakar long before, and they got their start with hot-rod VW's. It is at least plausible.
If you want to mod a smart, there's only one way to go, in my opinion. Go to youtube and look for "Smart Car Diablo." Can we say Smart/Hayabusa?
As a Smart owner, I find no problems with putting a full shopping trip worth of groceries, myself, and wife in it.
But, yeah, the Smart SUV is mentioned in Revelations, I'm pretty sure.
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