58 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

MINI Moke Concept to Debut at Detroit Motor Show
"MINI will be releasing a R60 based “Moke” concept that could foreshadow a coming production version. The Moke will have a more rugged off-road like appearance and will feature MINI’s upcoming ALL4 AWD system that will be optional on the R60 MINI Countryman. The concept, if well received, could go into production as soon as 2012/2013 with the drivetrain and most of the interior being carried over from the R60.
One way to think of the Moke would be to look at how MINI has leveraged the R57 platform for the Coupé and Roadster models. The Moke will be made to look more authentic and off-road capable the same way the Coupé was made more capable on-road. Like original Moke, look for a stripped down interior with some type of open top aspect to it."
"Imagine a small version of the four door Jeep Wrangler and you have an idea of what’s in store."
Links:
http://www.motoringf... (MotoringFile)

http://theswitchback...-for-motor-city

MINI's Product Roadmap Revealed
"We know that BMW has grand plans for its smallest brand. MINI has gone from one shape and three models to three cars and well over a dozen models worldwide.
In 2001 BMW debuted the R50 MINI Cooper and MINI One to great acclaim. However tucked away in much of the press coverage of the launch was the fact that BMW didn’t expect to even break even on the development and launch costs over the course of the models life-cycle. The problem were economies of scale and the fact that the MINI was a bespoke platform designed from the ground up to be shared with nothing else on the market (save for the Chrysler developed engine). The writing was on the wall even then. BMW needed multiple variants of the MINI to make the brand stand on its own financially.
Fast forward eight years. MINI has successfully launched it’s second generation hatchback and along the way added a convertible and the long wheel base clubman – all based on the core R56 platform (itself based on the R50). But BMW is just getting started."
Link:
http://www.motoringf...vealed-updated/

[VicSkimmr]

I'm actually really excited to see what they come up with. I'm imagining an AWD MINI Wrangler hybrid with removable doors and a soft top.

[skaterava]

hmm. Not to fall into the Bini hater category, but whatever they come up with won't be a Moke. It'll undoubtedly be the better car but they'll never capture that Moke spirit.

[VicSkimmr]

Nope, but that's the result of never significantly updating a car in 30+ years of production. I'm sure people who own 911's from the 60's and 70's think the same thing about the current model line of Porsches.

We should just be happy that BMW wants to reintroduce the model line and continue to enjoy the classic Moke.

[taffy1967]

Nope, but that's the result of never significantly updating a car in 30+ years of production. I'm sure people who own 911's from the 60's and 70's think the same thing about the current model line of Porsches.

We should just be happy that BMW wants to reintroduce the model line and continue to enjoy the classic Moke.

Stop original Mini Moke bashing. It's not allowed and if it it, then is should be stopped now.

[VicSkimmr]

I'm not bashing anything. I said we should continue to enjoy the classic Moke and be happy that BMW wants to continue it's legacy by releasing a modernized version of it. How is that bashing the classic Moke?

Edited by VicSkimmr, 09 December 2009 - 02:37 AM.

[The_Mistro]

linky

[mab01uk]

linky

The picture in the Link above is one of several images from an old Auto Express story a couple of years ago. They are famous for poor photoshop 'guesses' of new models on their cover which they hint are official photos.............
http://www.autoexpre...mini_monte.html

http://www.motoringf...mini-crossover/
http://www.motoringf...-the-2007-mini/

Edited by mab01uk, 09 December 2009 - 08:38 AM.

[roberts]

They had official pictures in Autocar a few months back... it's basically a big Mini.

[Sir Cheat]

Oh no

[Trail of Dead]

Why do so many Brits dislike the BINI? I've been curious about this ever since I joined this site. I can understand not liking a car because of design, reliability, etc....example, I absolutely HATE the Ford Tempo. Nasty, Nasty cars and I don't know why they ever sold. But the BMW Mini I do like! Maybe it's because in the states we view BMW products differently? BMWs are so common here that they aren't anything "special"....to see any sort of beamer is no differant than seeing any kind of Chevy truck back home. They're just everywhere. But, back home BMWs aren't all over the place so when one is seen then the immediate thought is that person must have a lot of cash wrapped up in that BMW. It's the same with Mercedes too.

In my home town BMWs are pretty much only owned by a couple bank executives and some of the doctors at the local hospital. Basically those that earn $100,000-up. Heck, even Audi's are a "status symbol"! Personally I like the BINI, I like the BINI Clubman, and I like that "Countryman" thing too. They carry the same design cues and are clearly derived from the original. It's called Heritage. Take a look at the 2005 Mustangs.....they were well received in the states and they are modern examples of the older 60's era machines. I understand there being a gripe about a German company now owning the company and using a name that in all honesty is British but why weren't the BINI haters angry when the Mini name was used by Rover? To my understanding Rover is basically Honda.

I've seen all the stickers "100% BMW FREE", "How can anything BIGGER be mini?" etc..etc..but I thought this was "The Mini Forum"? I'm just a little confused by all the bashing. BMWs are well engineered cars, the BMW Mini IS a very big seller both here and abroad so how can so many people dislike it? I look forward to seeing the new "Moke" design they will be showing in Detroit. As someone else said, enjoy the Classic Mini/Moke but at least appreciate that those names are being carried into the future. You wouldn't want the Mini to end up like the next Chevy Corvair would you? It just faded into history........


(No flamers please, I am just trying to figure out why so much BINI hate)

Edited by Trail of Dead, 09 December 2009 - 11:40 AM.

[Jay3178]

google searching i found a few possibilitys of designs, none official

Edited by Jay3178, 09 December 2009 - 12:32 PM.

[roberts]

Why do so many Brits dislike the BINI? I've been curious about this ever since I joined this site. I can understand not liking a car because of design, reliability, etc....example, I absolutely HATE the Ford Tempo. Nasty, Nasty cars and I don't know why they ever sold. But the BMW Mini I do like! Maybe it's because in the states we view BMW products differently? BMWs are so common here that they aren't anything "special"....to see any sort of beamer is no differant than seeing any kind of Chevy truck back home. They're just everywhere. But, back home BMWs aren't all over the place so when one is seen then the immediate thought is that person must have a lot of cash wrapped up in that BMW. It's the same with Mercedes too.

In my home town BMWs are pretty much only owned by a couple bank executives and some of the doctors at the local hospital. Basically those that earn $100,000-up. Heck, even Audi's are a "status symbol"! Personally I like the BINI, I like the BINI Clubman, and I like that "Countryman" thing too. They carry the same design cues and are clearly derived from the original. It's called Heritage. Take a look at the 2005 Mustangs.....they were well received in the states and they are modern examples of the older 60's era machines. I understand there being a gripe about a German company now owning the company and using a name that in all honesty is British but why weren't the BINI haters angry when the Mini name was used by Rover? To my understanding Rover is basically Honda.

I've seen all the stickers "100% BMW FREE", "How can anything BIGGER be mini?" etc..etc..but I thought this was "The Mini Forum"? I'm just a little confused by all the bashing. BMWs are well engineered cars, the BMW Mini IS a very big seller both here and abroad so how can so many people dislike it? I look forward to seeing the new "Moke" design they will be showing in Detroit. As someone else said, enjoy the Classic Mini/Moke but at least appreciate that those names are being carried into the future. You wouldn't want the Mini to end up like the next Chevy Corvair would you? It just faded into history........


(No flamers please, I am just trying to figure out why so much BINI hate)

Awaits Word War 3...



Anyway, it's more to do with the way that BMW tried to put loads of small Mini specialist businesses out of business, when they first bought Rover and basically because BMW bought Rover many people blame BMW for finally killing the last remaining mass-production British car company.

As a result, the hatred for my Minis is a lot to do with people easily being miss led (or uneducated in the area if you like), they think the New Mini was designed by BMW, so they automatically hate it and they also think that it was BMW's fault that Rover went bust.

Nothing will change that now, which is a shame, lots of people assumed that BMW bought Rover to save the company, which they didn't, they simply wanted the Land Rover technology (for BMW 4x4's) and the Mini name. People also assume that the new Mini was designed by BMW, whereas it was in fact designed in the UK at the Rover design studio, so they hate the design and don't like the fact that it resembles the original design rather than the concepts of the original Mini (even though if you look at the new Mini package closer - it does resemble some concepts and takes small mass production cars to another level, that, others have now followed).

So if you look at the facts... BMW didn't save Rover, but they certainly did save Mini, and thanks to them the Mini name will live on for generations to come

Then on top of that they created thousands of jobs at the new MINI plant in Oxford, which, if under the ownership of Rover would have never been built and Longbridge would have still closed (Rover would have gone bust no matter what). So, if you do the simple maths that means that there would currently be minus thousands of jobs int he UK.

Either way the argument stands and peoples hatred for MINI is justified, it's just a pitty that people even now (after 10 years - since the initial concept - which was a Rover) can't see the bigger picture.

Edited by roberts, 09 December 2009 - 12:35 PM.

[Trail of Dead]

google searching i found a few possibilitys of designs, none official

That second one looks pretty cool!

[liirge]

Oh dear...all i know as the owner of a 1966 moke...what ever they come up with will not:

1. Turn as many heads
2. Get as many cheers (and insults) shouted from the side of the road
3. Be as fun
4. be as impractical

as the old one!