Italians Produce A Worthy Upscale #Mini Off-Roader [Auto Styling News]

Mini of Italy has revealed an awesome new concept version of the Clubman called the ALL4 Scrambler, based on the BMW R NineT Scrambler motorcycle.

The Scrambler All4 Mini Clubman, based on the Clubman, features a raised ride height, massive, bad-ass five-spoke alloys paired with off-road tires, and two circular headlights borrowed from a BMW Scrambler bike that is meant to evoke the look of this classic bike, which won a reputation as a Monte Carlo rally winner in the 1960s. The front grille also features large lower fog lights.

Also clear changes to the stock Clubman is a huge rooftop luggage rack featuring wooden bars. The unique "frozen grey" paint is also meant to hearken back to the Scrambler bike.

Worth mentioning is that Mini is a BMW-affiliated/owned company, and the inside of this concept reflects a bit of that luxury. It's spiffy and upscale, with two-toned seats with Nappa leather and Alcantara (suede-like) upholstery.

While the concept, which debuted at the Valentino Park Motor Show in Turin, may not be slated for production, it would be a worth addition to the large and growing line-up of Mini vehicles.

The #BMW Group's HOT #Mini Superleggera Vision Concept

The BMW Group has released an exciting concept - the MINI Superleggera Vision - an open-top two-seater designed in conjunction with Touring Superleggera, a design and coach building house based in Milan, Italy. The car was unveiled at the 2014 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

Anders Warming,  head of MINI Design, calls the concept an "energetic, minimalistic design" that "embodies the dynamic essence of an automobile. At the same time it creates unique emotional beauty in combining the past and future of the automotive industry, i.e. traditional coachwork craftsmanship and modern design styling."

And he's not wrong. The celebration of circles and curves in the head and fog lamps and even in the oval grille is easy on the eyes, as are the clean, sweeping lines from front to rear on the sides. The rakish windscreen and cute "fin" on the rear make this car a head-turner.

Memo to the BMW Group: Please build this!

(photos: The BMW Group)

Mini Recycles Old Plymouth Concept

Mini is shopping a "pickup truck" concept of the Mini Paceman that had me thinking of a previous concept. See if you notice the similarities.

In 1995, Plymouth shopped around a very similar, but perhaps more feminine, baby pick-up called the Plymouth Backpack based on what would become the Dodge Neon.

As a long-time fan of the Backpack, I must say the Paceman version is more "butch" and does look better.

Geneva Auto Show's Best Concepts

Car and Driver lists some of the Geneva Auto Show's hottest concept cars.

Of note is a VW Microbus concept which is apparently headed to production and will appeal mightily to Boomers in the US and Europe, the beautiful SAAB PhoeniX which brings to mind the gorgeous Peking-to-Paris concept from Spyker. (It's no wonder they are similar, since SAAB was acquired by the Dutch company last year.)

Audi's A3 concept is tougher-looking and more handsome than A6 photos that have been leaked recently, which shows that the "upside down bathtub" may yet die at the German automaker.

Alfa Romeo's 4C concept shows promise, though it's hard to see it being built and even harder to see Americans getting any.

The Ferrari FF speaks for itself. It's utterly gorgeous. We'll feature this in a future blog post.