But with the one-size-bigger Countryman hitting dealerships now, and a Mini coupe and roadster coming soon, plus the likely Paceman crossover coupe, Mini to me is looking more and more like a wad of Silly Putty being stretched and deformed into too many shapes.

FORBES: How Many Minis Is Too Many?

Mini calls it a crossover coupe, and expects it to appeal to urban, muscular guys with style.

FORBES: How Many Minis Is Too Many?

The patina of a worn brown-leather soccer ball in one photo inspired the leather-wrapped door handles on the upcoming Mini Paceman, a three-door crossover coupe that goes into production next year.

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More are on the way -- the talk of this year's big Detroit auto show was all about "crossover" vehicles such as Ford's new Edge and Acura's RDX, while even Mini is planning to build a wagon version of its beloved Cooper hatchback.

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