Mini Crossover - Paris motor show - 2008

Say a bug-eyed, lumpen hello to the Mini Crossover Concept.

We had a few reservations - quite a few reservations, in fact - about the Crossover's stretched proportions when we saw the first photos a few weeks ago, and now, up close and personal in the flesh at Paris... well, it hasn't improved.

The Crossover is Mini's, er, unique take on the small SUV formula - a four-wheel drive, four-seater, four-door arrangement that makes the suicide-doored Clubman look straightforward by comparison.

Three of the doors do what you'd expect - normal, front-hinged things - but the driver's-side rear door slides backwards on a rail, while the entire boot hinges out to the side.

Mini is staying hushed on engine details, but we're told that - contrary to speculation - it won't get the same powertrain or four-wheel drive mechanicals as the BMW X1, the new smaller-than-the-X3 SUV that's expected to be unveiled later today.

If you're looking at the Crossover, with its daft concept touches (bespoke set of china? Really, guys?) and thinking, 'well, at least they'll never build it', think again. The Crossover is going into production. Soon.

We'll see it in 2010. Are you excited? No?