BMW to add wagon to next version of Mini

Mini Wagon Concept (Photo: BMW Canada)

With the windows fully open, the concept Traveller "provides a particularly impressive feeling of style and generosity otherwise to be found only in a coupé and convertible."

Courtesy of the long wheelbase, the two rear seats are said to be easy to reach, while at the same time the exterior of the car offers a "particularly dynamic and sporting impression."

The Mini concept comes with an adjustable Cargobox within the luggage compartment, "with its loading cover moving out to the rear for easy and convenient access at all times."

BMW also thinks it's clever that the transparent cover of the Cargobox lifts up to serve as a partition bet¬ween the passenger area and the luggage compartment, which can be helpful in reducing noise from the rear wheels and in keeping objects in the cargo area from flying forward to hit the occupants in a crash.

On top of that, the rear sec¬tion of the roof opens up to allow loading, which only works because this concept car is about the same distance from the ground as the regular Cooper hatchback.

Mini Wagon Concept (Photo: BMW Canada)

The Floating Elements concept "consistently takes up and continues the car's exterior statement within the interior," BMW says. The concept Traveller makes "a generous and open impression enhanced by the completely free and accessible floor of the car, the foot area covered only by the central 'insular element' of the centre console holding the 'suspended' seats in position to provide a particularly generous foot area with a very advantageous impression of space."

This impression is said to be "further accentuated by the free-hovering dashboard with its speedometer in the middle."

The rear seats fold down individually to form a flat surface flush with the floor of the luggage compartment, while the centre rear arm¬rest is integrated into the flat surface and offers additional storage space.

Throughout the interior of the concept Mini, "white leather underlines the impression of modern style and generous space, adding a strong touch of sophisticated class and stylish flair."

Mini Wagon Concept (Photo: BMW Canada)

An aluminium-coated glass-fibre structure "accentuates the door panels and linings inside the car," while a special carbon-fibre look highlights the foot area in combination with nylon texture car¬peting adding "a particular touch of sporting style."

The four-seat subcompact was launched in September of 1960 as the Austin Seven Countryman and the Morris Mini Traveller. It turned out to be a hugely popular version of the little car, selling more than 400,000 units before it went away in 1982.
photo:BMW Canada