MINI Beachcomber production-bound?

We recently sampled the MINI Countryman baby SUV and found it to be a surprisingly good thing.

That bodes particularly well for the brand as a news report by UK's Auto Express suggests that the Mini Moke-inspired Beachcomber concept that debuted at January's Detroit motor show may be given the production green light.

When it was revealed, it was thought the Beachcomber was merely the precursor to the then-imminent Countryman, but it now appears the minimalist, door-less car could be a model in its own right.

"We will come back to this (Beachcomber concept) to see if there is a business basis, as we were overwhelmed by the reaction,” head of Mini brand management Dr. Wolfgang Armbrecht told Auto Express. "Mini will never show a concept that won’t make production."

Indeed, when the first pics and details of the Beachcomber were aired, Mini Australia manager Justin Hocevar said: "If the Mini Beachcomber Concept did eventuate I think it would be very well suited to the Australian landscape and way of life, especially given our propensity for coastal living and appetite for adventure, leisure and fun."

Although the Beachcomber is much larger than the barebones Moke that debuted in 1964, there's a clear spiritual link between the two.

The Moke has a strong Australian connection, as it was built here from 1966 to 1981 -- originally marketed as the Morris Mini Moke and from 1973 as the Leyland Moke.

Oz-spec Mokes initially had the same 10-inch wheels as their UK counterparts, but these were soon replaced by 13-inch rims with longer rear trailing arms that made them more practical for gentle off-road or beach use than the British version.

The solid metal seats of the British Mokes were also replaced with tubular-framed 'deck-chair' pews. Expect slightly more plush living quarters in the new generation Beachcomber, provided it does get the production go-ahead...

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