More photos of the Mini Beachcomber Concept in Detroit

While we eagerly await(¿?) the arrival of the crossover from Mini, this modernised version of the Moke has been unveiled as a teaser, a very eye-catching model from the 1960s that is still used as a leisure car at beach destinations.

The Mini Beachcomber is an attempt by Mini to rejuvenate the brand’s image even further, building a prototype aimed at surfers or trips to the beach. I would certainly prefer a different kind of vehicle for going to the beach, but let’s start from the premise that what is being attempted here is to update a very fashionable layout from years ago: the open-top vehicle.

For this new reincarnation, the Beachcomber has been presented without doors, fully open. However, the production version would be fully closed, with special parts, just as Diego revealed last month. The crossover is still a long way off, but as a preview, this prototype incorporates the all-wheel-drive system ALL4, which the crossover will probably have.

Let’s say it is not a mainstream vehicle that will reach many people, and not even the people in charge of BMW will be sure about its success. But amid this revival of past-era sports cars, a breath of fresh air from a European car that was fashionable 40 years ago, is always welcome.

Via | Motor Authority