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Company bosses were being a bit coy about a production future for the MINI Concept, which was unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show last week. But these spyshots clearly show a heavily disguised, early prototype of a MINI estate out testing - this isn't something car companies do for fun, so we'll take this as confirmation that a modern-day interpretation of the classic Mini Traveller is on the way, possibly as early as 2007.
A MINI estate will address two of the most pointed criticisms of the MINI, namely, lack of rear passenger and boot space. The head of MINI design, Gert Hildebrand, has already said that new MINI will be an extra 80mm long, so the next-generation platform would certainly stretch to an estate.
This prototype differs from the MINI Concept showcar in that it appears to have a single, top-hinged tailgate as opposed to the Concept's dual, side-hinged doors (just as the original Traveller had). Another major difference is the strong evidence here that this new MINI will have small rear 'suicide' doors similar to those on, for example, the Mazda RX-8. Look closely at the profile shots and you'll see a 'shutline' a few inches forward of the fuel filler.
There also appears to be something interesting going on with the estate's roof, which may sport dual, parallel sunroofs with an interior console in between, a design element that features on new models such as Vauxhall's Zafira.
This prototype also confirms the styling changes in store for MINI three-door hatch and convertible heralded by the MINI Concept. These include elongated headlamps and a higher-set bonnet.
The front of this prototype also reveals how the rest of the MINI hatch and convertible range will look, with a higher-set bonnet and elongated headlights.
The next generation MINI ? including estate - will be 80mm longer to offer more passenger and boot space.
Look carefully and you can see the shutlines for the rear ?suicide? door.
Rear end of estate is more square-off and upright to provide more interior space.
Unlike MINI Concept with dual side-hinged doors, prototype has single-piece, top-hinged tailgate
We could see this on UK roads late 2007.
Artist?s impression of what MINI estate could look like.
A MINI estate will address two of the most pointed criticisms of the MINI, namely, lack of rear passenger and boot space. The head of MINI design, Gert Hildebrand, has already said that new MINI will be an extra 80mm long, so the next-generation platform would certainly stretch to an estate.
This prototype differs from the MINI Concept showcar in that it appears to have a single, top-hinged tailgate as opposed to the Concept's dual, side-hinged doors (just as the original Traveller had). Another major difference is the strong evidence here that this new MINI will have small rear 'suicide' doors similar to those on, for example, the Mazda RX-8. Look closely at the profile shots and you'll see a 'shutline' a few inches forward of the fuel filler.
There also appears to be something interesting going on with the estate's roof, which may sport dual, parallel sunroofs with an interior console in between, a design element that features on new models such as Vauxhall's Zafira.
This prototype also confirms the styling changes in store for MINI three-door hatch and convertible heralded by the MINI Concept. These include elongated headlamps and a higher-set bonnet.
The front of this prototype also reveals how the rest of the MINI hatch and convertible range will look, with a higher-set bonnet and elongated headlights.
The next generation MINI ? including estate - will be 80mm longer to offer more passenger and boot space.
Look carefully and you can see the shutlines for the rear ?suicide? door.
Rear end of estate is more square-off and upright to provide more interior space.
Unlike MINI Concept with dual side-hinged doors, prototype has single-piece, top-hinged tailgate
We could see this on UK roads late 2007.
Artist?s impression of what MINI estate could look like.
