I cannot believe I’m writing this, but as I type these words pictures are flooding all over the internet showing the newest Mini concept to come out of it’s design studios and it’s a Mini SUV. That’s right, a Mini SUV. All oxymoron jokes aside, the Mini brand is serious about establishing serious reach in the compact market (even if that means pissing on a little bit of heritage). This newest offering is only in concept form, but have no fears, it will be put into production soon.

The Crossover Concept’s asymmetrical four-door body is something rare in the car design world. The Crossover has a considerably higher beltline and much taller doors than a regular Mini Cooper. On the right are two short front-hinged doors, while the left has a longer front-hinged door and a second, short door that opens parallel to the body at the rear. A one-piece tailgate hinges from the right and has a retractable window. This allows long items to extend out beyond the rear of the car.

The Crossover is expected to be offered with Mini’s 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine developed in a joint venture between parent company BMW and France’s PSA Peugeot Citroën. It’ll be tuned for torque and to be able to tow around the Mini Crossovers considerable weight gain. This should prove to be the heaviest Mini.

Mini plans to assemble the SUV at a rate of up to 50,000 per year. Assembly will be handled by production specialist Magna in Graz, Austria. It is expected to go on sale in North America in spring of 2010 at a price of less than $30,000.

Above: Not that Mini at all really….