MINI Beachcomber Concept revealed

The Countryman-based MINI Beachcomber Concept

MINI has revealed the Beachcomber Concept – based on the MINI Countryman – which is a modern take on the Mini Moke. Debuts at Detroit 2010.

Another month in 2009 and yet another MINI.

When we reported last month on the MINI Rolls Royce Edition we reckoned that BMW had managed to produce a dozen new models of the MINI in 2009, although the number of new models and limited editions is so large we thought we might have missed one or two. But if we were right with the dozen models at that point you can now make that a baker’s dozen with the reveal of MINI’s latest creation – The MINI Beachcomber.

The Beachcomber Concept – which will make an appearance at the Detroit Motor Show next month – is based on the yet-to-arrive MINI Countryman and is a 21st century take on the Mini Moke; think jacked-up MINI meets Willys Jeep.

Unlike the original Moke or Willys Jeep, the Beachcomber keeps a landaulet-type structure – which gives it rigidity – with no doors and an open roof that can be covered by a hard top or folding canvas cover. You also get the option of some clip-on plastic doors for really bad weather (which would have to be standard for the UK).

Inside there are four individual seats with MINI’s ‘Multifunction Fastening Rail’ running down the middle of the cabin. The ‘MFR’ allows all kinds of peripherals -such as armrests, storage boxes and iPods – to be clipped to the interior.

In effect the Beachcomber is a chopped MINI Countryman, and gives the best detail we have had so far on what the Countryman will offer. From its high-riding stance, individual seating and larger dimensions than a regular MINI we get a clear idea of what the Countryman will bring to the party when it arrives in 2010.

MINI has gone overboard with the Press Release for the MINI Beachcomber Concept, so if you want to read every nut and bolt detail, have a look.