MINI Concept turns into reality

MINI will add a third model to its line-up... It's official! The announcement was made in Detroit this afternoon (Monday, Jan 9) at the opening of the BMW-owned carmaker's stand at the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG Dr Michael Ganal confirmed the industry's worst kept secret on the unveiling of the MINI Concept Detroit -- a reworked version of the sportswagen concept debuted in Frankfurt last September.

"We have decided to add a new member to the MINI family," Ganal said. "The new model will be based on the concept vehicle you are about to see. It will combine the typical core characteristics -- design, go-kart feeling and maximum individualaity -- with an increase in functionality,

"It is going to be an even better match for the active and free-spirited lifestyle of its drivers," he said.

The new MINI will be the largest car to wear the badge to date. Drawing on the Mini Traveller of the 1960s -- at least in part -- for inspiration, the two-door sportswagon is claimed to have room for four and luggage.

The concept features special storage for winter sports equipment though it is unlikely such specialised fittings would feature in the production version. That said, the twin rear doors and sliding side rear windows will likely make it -- in keeping with the orginal Traveller.

With its longer wheelbase, slightly raised roofline (in addition to the abovementioned sliding side windows and split rear doors), the original Mini Traveller/Countryman and latterly Mini Clubman Estate were very popular with families and drivers who needed more load space but wanted to retain the Mini connection.

Interested? We are, but please don't pester your MINI dealer yet.

According to Dr Ganal, the new MINI is not due to arrive until model year 2008. That's at least two years after the arrival of the third generation MINI later this year.

Look out for more Detroit goodies on CarPoint in the coming days...