The as-yet unnamed compact SUV from MINI has been leaked ahead of its Geneva motor show debut in March, this trio of images shedding light on the new design.
Sporting a slightly raised ride height, flared black wheelarches and a front end design that leaves no question as to the iconic vehicle's genetics, the new model is expected to increase MINI's reach, entering the lucrative compact SUV market.
The hexagonal headlight design seen on the new model, which has been variously tagged Crossman and Countryman, has been lifted almost directly from the cheerful MINI Beachcomber concept first seen at the 2010 Detroit motor show in the US.
Black-coloured roof and pillars contrast with the white paint work on the promo images while the rear is pure MINI, with a subtle new take on the recognisable brake light clusters. The leaked images show the Cooper S model with twin exhaust pipes, which is likely powered by the same 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder engine outputting 128kW/240Nm.
Another tag that can be seen on the flanks of the vehicle is the "All4" badge, indicative of the vehicle's all-wheel-drive setup.
The interior stays true to the current MINI design philosophy, keeping almost all elements that have made the previous models such successes, including the bold instrumentation and funky switchgear.
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