The MINI R56

Sections: MF Feature | R56 (Hatch) Jul 2nd, 2003 12 Comments

The current MINI Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) have had a hugely successful introduction over the last two years. They've helped redefine how good a small car can be and in a sense, create a entirely new category in America.

Now that they are firmly at the mid point stage in the car's lifecycle people are actively wondering what will be coming next. The next MINI will be known as the R56 just as the current car was known as the R50/R53. What we do know is that it will have a jointly developed BMW/Peugeot 4 cylinder and will most likely be slightly larger. There has also been speculation that BMW might turn to Peugeot for chassis development as well. Finally we also know that we'll probably see this car around '07 to '08.

We could also make the assumption that they won't alter the design too much and the general shape of the current car will probably remain pretty much the same. But this leaves a lot to be determined. While the interior will probably carry on the same general themes that we see today that's where I, personally, see the greatest room for improvement.

So if you could talk to BMW/MINI engineers and designers what would you tell them to change or leave alone with the next MINI? What would you tell them has been successful on the new car and what needs improving?

For further reading on the R56 MINI check out these links:
The New New MINI Rumors
The Next MINI to have a Peugeot/Citroen Chassis?
Would you buy a four door MINI?

Written By: MF Staff

http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

Things I'd like to see change (coming from someone with 26K miles on the odometer):

Quality of the interior The Engine A new transmission for the MC Projector style headlights Better build quality Better brakes (as HP increases brakes will need to be larger to compensate) Higher quality interior with more substancial materials.

Things I don't want to see changed:

The overall design (including those cool little design details) The handling and the overall dynamics of the car The Chrome!
frank

I personally like the current 1.6L TRITEC engine. Simple, economical, low maintenance, great gas mileage, smooth and powerful.

I have been impressed with the build quality of our '02 Cooper CVT. Not a single rattle or squeak in nearly 11 months and 9,500 miles of ownership.

Peugeot currently makes some interesting cars. The 306 hatchback comes to mind (I have seen them in Europe several times).

However, the French suffer from a terrible reliability reputation in the US. The late AMC/Renault and Peugeot experiments of the 1980's and early 1990's left a bad taste in the mouth of many buyers of these products. Peugeot has to finally bail out from our market by 1991.

Is the grass greener in the Peugeot end of things? Maybe so, but that remains to be seen. I personally prefer the simplicity and reliability of the current Chrysler engine over the PSA powerplant.

I hope BMW doesn't make the mistake of turning the MINI into another Ford Focus, VW Golf or DCX PT Cruiser mundane econobox.

Sure, there are things I would like to see improved in the MINI but I am quite happy with the current package and would not like to see it turn into another middle of the road package.

I would love to see a Traveller Clubman variant more than anything else.

Message to MINI: Don't dare messing around with success.
vlm

Would definitely like to see a four/six door model as elsewhere on this site that competes in the compact (vs. subcompact) category. Slightly higher ground clearance would also be nice. I also agree with Gabe's thoughts above, and would prefer a CVT with the bugs worked out a bit better.
Frank

Pardon me, did you say you would like to see “Higher center of gravitity” in the next MINI?

I hope you didn't mean that. I don't want to see the MINI turned into a Toyota RAV4 cute ute competitor.

The MINI is what it is. Hint…the original Mini was practically left unchanged since its market introduction in 1959 until the last one rolled the assembly line in early 2001.

The quirkiness of the MINI is what makes the car rise above and beyond the pack.
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

I think vlm might have been referring to the MINI's great ability to become a snow plow in more than 2 inches of the white stuff. personally I'm fine with it as is and don't want them to touch anything to do with the ride/handling of the car. I also love the current seating position. It's more upright then even the BMW 3 series and has great visibility.
Frank

Gotcha, Gabe. Here in Florida we don't have the snow problem you folks up north have to deal with.

If anyone wants a vehicle with higher center of gravity, there are a plethora of SUV choices in the market for that end.

Leave the MINI the way it is, thank you.
Bill Lawrence

I would like them to leave the 3 door MINI like it is (as far as body style goes). It would not bother me if they added other cars to the line, like a Traveler and the Speedster.
vlm

It's all about the snowplow, guys. I love the center of gravity where it is, but up here, an unplowed road can be a brutal thing. Maybe a trick suspension to “suck in the gut” over visible drifts in the roadway? :) In the meantime, the aftermarket skidplate gives me confidence.
Timothy Sipples

Bigger?!?!?! Runs totally counter to the philosophy, I think: do the most with less. I'm all for bigger if they simply make the interior more space efficient. If they dare stretch it, do it for a reason, such as the woody wagon (and then only just enough).

If they're tinkering with the engine, perhaps a “performance hybrid” would make sense. (The electric motor would add some oomph off the line.) Not sure where you hang the batteries, though. GM (!) has some interesting design concepts that might apply.

My list of suggested improvements: better (interior) door handles, less interior plastic (more wood, or at least the option), individually removable back seats, less anemic air conditioner, undingable side doors (a la Saturn, assuming it's good quality), side opening rear passenger windows (a la old Datsuns), higher quality glove box (or option for shelf-with-net), performance all-wheel-drive option (in the S, if technically viable), pickup variant (just chop half the top), standard double brake lights, real rear mudflaps (option), MP3-capable CD player w/ NOAA weather radio, removable hard top variant. In other words, the platform is pretty damn good.
Robert Ballard

Get rid of the STUMBLE off the line and leave the car ALONE! It's a Mini not a 4Runner!
Robert Ballard

And another thing get the Mini out of the BMW dealerships for Gods sake. The're IDIOTS especially Assael in Monrovia Californa!!!!
http://bridger.us Gabe

Robert – I've had nothing but great luck with the current MINI dealers. In fact all three in Chicago have been fantastic to deal with.

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