'Mini', however, is a bit of an ambitious claim. At over four metres in length - more Focus size than Fiesta - and 1.6 metres high, the Crossover Concept ain't small.

Despite the size, though, it's a strict four-seater - the two rear chairs are separated by a centre rail to which, Mini asserts, you can attach 'cupholders, storage units and entertainment consoles'.

Or, bizarrely, a bespoke set of dishes and cups, created by German potters Porzellan Manufaktur exclusively for the Concept Crossover. We predict breakage issues.

Equally strange is the Crossover's door arrangement, which puts the mildly odd single suicide approach from the Clubman to shame.

Three of the doors open in the normal fashion, but the rear drivers-side door is a Peugeot 1007-style sliding effort.

There's also a side-hinged boot featuring a retractable window, and a folding roof which extends the length of the car. Simple, eh?

Unusually, there's no mention of what powertrain the Crossover will use, or how the four-wheel drive system might work. Efficient diesels would seem likely, but given Mini's penchant for the wacky (sorry, the 'wacky') it could well be fuelled by whimsy and bonhomie.

No doubt all will become clear in Paris.