Just because the auto brand caries the little name Mini, doesn’t mean the company cannot make some bigger vehicles, thought the designers and made a Crossover. They did a good job and impressed many visitors of the 2008 Paris Auto Show where the auto was taken to public for the first time.

The head of the Mini management, Wolfgang Armbrecht, says they wanted to keep main Mini features to make the brand recognizable, so the SUV has the same look as little cars, go-kart drive quality and “unlimited clever flexibility on the interior”. Alongside, the Crossover "had to be a true 4x4, carry four adult passengers, and be four meters long [157.5 inches] maximum."

The mass production of the SUV has been approved a month ago after a big number of positive remarks from both experts and public. Some of the details of the front and rear end have to be changed and the final production version will be shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show in September.

The standard Mini Crossover with front-wheel drive will cost $29,000, the all-wheel drive model is priced for about $34,000.