It had to happen, the Mini Moke is the obvious addition to the new MINI lineup and this Beachcomber concept car will be revealed at next month's Detroit Auto Show.
Based on MINI's fourth model - the SUV variant scheduled for launch next year - the Beachcomber clearly draws on the Mini Mokes of the 1960s - even the radiator grille is a throwback to the Mini Moke's design…but there's abundant 2010 technology.
For example the Beachcomber has a lightweight roof and door panels which can be quickly fitted when wet weather strikes. In addition, the 2010 beachcomber is all-wheel-drive and reinforced A and D-Pillars (the latter with an integrated lateral support element) provide today's rollover protection.
The Beachcomber provides four individual bucket seats and the rears can be folded flat to provide a load area big enough to carry mountain bikes and wakeboards. In its fully open guise, the Beachcomber can also handle surfboards which are secured to the lateral rollover support and stick out at the rear - just like the original Mini Mokes which were popular with Australian surfers.
As it's based on the MINI SUV, the Beachcomber comes with short front and rear overhangs, a higher ride height and 17-inch alloy wheels with off-road tyres.
Inside, the Mini Moke theme continues with a bar metal floorpan covered open-pore footmats. Like the MINI Crossover Concept, the Beachcomber also comes with an interior center rail providing extra storage and slots for external entertainment tools like iPods and MP3 players.
