COOPER: All Coopers get cruise control and a multi-function steering wheel as standard, and a Harmon-Kardon stereo joins the options list. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the MINI brand, the Cooper and Cooper S hardtops will be offered in limited-edition Mayfair and Camden models. Both feature unique exterior and interior trim, paint schemes, and a "50" badge on the grille. Additionally, the Camden gets a feature called "Mission Control", which uses computer-generated phrases to talk to the driver based on what's happening with the car and its immediate environment.
CLUBMAN: Like the Cooper, the Clubman gains cruise control and a multi-function steering wheel and a Harmon-Kardon stereo as an option.
BEYOND 2010:
CROSSOVER: A crossover SUV variant of the MINI (possibly to be called Crossman) is expected to appear in 2010. MINI showed a concept version at the Paris Auto Show. The MINI Crossover Concept is longer than the Clubman and features four doors, four-wheel-drive, and increased ground clearance. The concept car has a conventionally hinged rear door on the right side and a sliding door on the left. It also has a side-hinged rear hatch, but it's hinged on the right, which would make loading from the curbside difficult -- let's hope MINI deep-sixes that idea and goes with a regular top-hinged hatch for the production car. The extra ground clearance seems a little silly, but the idea of a four-door MINI is most welcome.
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