MINI enthusiasts have a new reason to get excited, says spy shot photographer Brenda Priddy: The automaker has named its upcoming crossover. Previously referred to internally as the Colorado, the new MINI Crossman will bring the brand firmly into new territory.
The Crossman is expected to ride higher than current MINI models and offer all-wheel drive, making it a new option for weekend off-roaders. With these new capabilities, MINI hopes to expand its customer base to include young men who want something a little more "masculine" than MINI's current offerings.
Austrian manufacturer Magna Steyr will build the Crossman, making it the first MINI assembled outside of the United Kingdom. The Crossman is scheduled for a 2010 release.