***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

With MINI almost set to unveil its Countryman Crossover, the British brand is already looking towards its next project with the MINI Beachcomber Concept. This open-air vehicle is based on the same underpinnings as the Countryman: the Crossover Concept. It also features the brand’s new ALL4 all-wheel drive system, which is expected in the Countryman.

Previous reports pointed towards the Beachcomber as being something like the MINI Moke, and for the most part the analogy seems correct. And with no doors and an open roof, it’s easy to make the comparison to Jeep’s Wrangler – although we’re sure the sporty MINI brand won’t deliver the same sort of off-road capability. As for a powerplant, it’s likely to house the same turbocharged 1.6-liter four-banger already shared across the MINI lineup.

MINI hasn’t said anything about the possibility that the Beachcomber could see production and while it does seem far-fetched, certain elements are likely to make their way into special editions of the Countryman. For our part, we’d like to see this toy make it to the streets – if for no other reason than to see if it really can hop a sand dune. That, and it just looks like a lot of fun to drive.

We’ll be sure to bring you more details on this concept when it officially debuts at the Detroit Auto Show in a few weeks time.

GALLERY: MINI Beachcomber Concept

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

BMW is currently looking at adding three new vehicles to the Mini lineup, including an enthusiast-targeted GTI model. U.K. auto pub AutoCar is reporting that the car would be build on the new five-door Mini platform that will also underpin the company’s upcoming crossover.

We’d welcome such a vehicle as Mini is already an enthusiast brand… so a more hard-core model from Mini can only be a good thing. The sporty new model is likely to have a base powerplant that develops 180hp, with a John Cooper Works version delivering upwards of 220hp.

The car would get unique styling cues and feature a more race-inspired interior with more seriously bolstered seats.

Even if the car does make it to market, it is unlikely to appear before 2012.

[Source: AutoCar]