The current issue of Autocar has an article on the next MINI (aka the R56) that does a good job of summing up what has been reported on MotoringFile and the press for the past couple of years. Here's an excerpt:
Not content with the success of the three-year-old Mini, BMW is busy developing its successor. Project R56 will sire up to four Mini models; the first will go on sale in little more than two years.
First up in September 2006 is the replacement for today’s three-door hatch (shown above in our artist’s impression). In March 2007 a five-door hatchback will arrive offering more interior space and at last usable rear seats, thanks to a wheelbase that is 120mm longer.
A new convertible to replace the just launched soft-top will arrive in April 2008; an estate variant not unlike the Mini Wagons exhibited by Castagna at this year's Geneva show is awaiting approval from BMW chairman Helmut Panke. In early sketches it harks back to the original Mini estate, with van-style rear doors.
There’s little wrong with the current Mini’s styling, so the design strategy is ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’. The retro look continues, with a classic BMW soft facelift and only detail changes.
However, Munich is planning to stem the high production costs of today’s Oxfordshire-built Mini. BMW will outsource more modules (component sets such as front suspension) and plans a clip-on plastic roof cover so owners can change roof decals throughout the life of the car. Cunningly, it also means cars won’t have to pass through the paint shop twice an expensive and time-consuming process.
By the way, I wouldn't put too much stock in the rendering above – from what I hear it'll be closer to the current car – but hey… at least they're trying!
One of the biggest changes that will be introduced with the next generation will be a new engine throughout the petrol range. As has been reported on MotoringFile for well over a year the next generation MINI will house a new powerplant engineered and design by BMW and PSA (Peugeot/Citroen) that will be lighter, more effcient, yet capable of increased power. It will also rely on a turbocharger in place of the current supercharger for the MCS. You can find out more in these previous MotoringFile articles.
And of course you can read the entire article above at Autocar.co.uk: [LINK]
Again most of this is old hat to veteran MotoringFile readers but it may be new to some of those new to the MINI world.
Photo courtesy of Autocar.
<p>5 door? :X</p>
<p>Hmmm, this is the first time I've seen any updates to the cars shape. It reminds me of the latest Aston-Martin, at least in the grille shape.</p>
<p>I no likey too much.</p>
<p>Man that pic looks amazing. I may have to up for another new mini after I graduate in a few years! Thanks for the info.</p>
<p>They just changed the MINI for 2005 with a myriad of changes. It already received a BMWesque facelift. I want to trade my '02 for an '05 but I want the latest product that won't change for a while. I guess I have to wait until sept '06 then. I'm really bummed because I was all ready to order my '05. Is this info really accurate or someone's prediction–will the MINI really change AGAIN in a years time? I don't know what to do now :(</p>
<p>Coop, if you play that game you're never going to buy a car.</p>
<p>Coop – if you read all the stories <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/search.php?search=prince">here</a> you'll have a better understanding of the next generation MINI.</p>
<p>BMW always updates it's cars late in the product cycle so this timeline would seems very typical.</p>
<p>BTW September '06 is two years time :)</p>
<p>I'm new to the next-gen rumormill, but does anyone know if we'll be getting a diesel engine in the US with this update, or any other update.</p>
<p>I know they exist in the UK, and I'd love to have that type of fuel efficiency.</p>
<p>I think BMW is waiting to see how it's own diesels will do in the US market place in they are introduced in a couple of years. Obviously if they are a big hit I'm sure they'll look to replicate that with the MINI.</p>
<p>It all depends whether the USA will start selling low sulfur Diesel fuel, something that trucking companies have been opposing for years.</p>
<p>All the high tech diesel engines currently sold in Europe require low sulfur diesel fuel that we don't have here.</p>
<p>BTW, the MINI ONE “D” uses a 1.4L Toyota diesel engine (4 cyl) and it is mated to a 6-speed Getrag manual transmission identical to that used in the Cooper S but with very different gearing ratios.</p>
<p>Go to <a href="http://www.mini2.com" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mini2.com</a> and look for the MINI ONE Diesel discussion forum if you want to learn more about the Euro market only MINI Diesel.</p>
<p>Supposedly in '06 low sulfur diesel will be mandated throughout the US. That's what manufacturers like BMW are waiting for.</p>
<p>Yeah, I heard that we'd be getting more widespread consumer grade diesel here around 2006.</p>
<p>Most of my interests come from friends who've had VW diesel engines and love them. Wouldn't mind getting some of the benefits of diesel with my Mini.</p>
<p>Can they get the Convertibles out before they start talkin' about changing them? Geez!!!!! That's bad PR!!!</p>
<p>MINI's not the ones talking about the changes – we are :)</p>
<p>Right on….Matt.</p>
<p>Hey Coop, think of this way, my 2002 MCS hasn't changed a bit.
I'm not sure how smart I was to buy a 1st year model car but once me & MINI got all the little stuff ironed out , except that stumble thingy, it's been all good.</p>
<p>I will say, if some these design changes talked about come true, I hope Audi doesn't change the TT much in the next few years.
The TT was my choice until I drove the MINI.</p>
<p>…RB</p>
<p>Gabe/Matt,</p>
<p>Would you guys consider posting a piece for novices? The whole r56, E## type of naming that gets used and many other terms lose me. I've always liked cars, but I'm new to the more technical aspects. I just went to a BMWCCA track event and felt totally lost with all the terms being tossed about… oversteer, understeer, E some-number car, slip angles, apexes… I know only the most general terms, but I want to know more. Can you guys help? I hate feeling like a such a girl… LOL</p>
<p>It sounds like they will have both body styles being built at the same time, or there will be gaps. For example, if the new body style will hit in '06 and the soft top won't come until '08, then the old body style convertible must be made til '08 even though the new style three door has been out for two years. Either that, or there won't be a convertible for a two year period.</p>
<p>We should be able to see the new engine in action in mid-2005 as it begins to debut on some Peugot models.</p>
<p>I do not like the new look of the 2006. The bulge does not look anywhere near as nice as the hood scoop on the MCS. Turbo cars are just becoming stereotyped as cheap jap cars, it will most likely suffer some lag, and not be nearly as smooth and linear as a the supercharger. Since the hp is rumored to be about the same it won't make a difference.</p>
<p>Some people will like the turbo's because of their upgrade potential, but it will really split the Mini performance tuning camp into two parties. Tuning the two engines will be totally different. The turbo engine will start bringing a lot of japanese tuners into the scene. I think this will change the tuning scene as well, from a niche tuning market geared toward a unique engine, to a jap rice rocket scene, with Blow Off Valves, piggbyback turbo controllers, wastegates… Some people will say I am being too pessimistic, but Gabe mark my words on this site somewhere and let's bring it back up in 2008 to see how close we are.</p>
<p>I don't think it will be all negative, I just like the uniqueness and character and exclusivity that the car has now. When they start pumping out 50,000 a year or more with all the variants, it will lose some of that. Start throwing in a common turbo engine and you lose a little more. It is great telling curious people that the car has a supercharger. They all say wow, that must be quick. Turbo doesn't quite have the same cache.</p>
<p>I think the car will be pushed more and more mass market, and because of that it will loose some of it's original core following. The design is timeless in my opinion and I thoroughly enjoy these little updates. My guess is that the design will start migrating the car into a whole different look.</p>
<p>Again, these are just my opinions.</p>
<p>I kinda like tilting the oval headlights a bit, gives it a very agressive look…
I just want to see that attached to a 2 seat fastback GT =)</p>
<p>Nice photoshop job, but I think the end result will be more like that hazy video file floating around. Slight bonnet changes to accomodate the new engine and maybe some trim differences. I mean really, re-tooling the whole car after just introducing the cabrio seems a bit questionable.</p>
<p>I agree it'll be more subtle than that but I would guess there will be quite a bit of retooling with the new design.</p>
<p>I for one will wait to comment on the new design until it actually comes out. A magazine artist's rendering of the speculated changes goes straight into my “whatever” file.</p>
<p>But on the changes coming so soon after the release of the convertible, that's pretty much the way things go. The convertible comes out towards the end of a model run, sells as many as they can push through manufacturing in a couple years, and then it's gone. I think this ends up helping demand for the convertibles in the years they're available, even if it does somewhat orphan their owners for maintenance in the later years.</p>
<p>And that follows with BMW's typical product cycle… just look at the 3 series.</p>
<p>Nice to see the “ain't broke…” attitude seems to be the strategy for the long term. I'm for the Estate with barn doors, !!!, but not the turbo – I'm for the blower as a forced induction option, for much the same reasons as dgszweda1. I'm hoping the factory will become more involved with a racing program for MINIs, the one thing I miss from the BMC days. 😉 I wish they were WRC eligible now, and in the future mebbe so.</p>
<p>One thing that will prolly never happen is the continuation of the commercial heritage side of the original Mini, so no vans or pick-ups per se.
🙁 They were a unique part of Mini and I miss the full-range aspect of the marque. Besides, a Cooperised Mini pick-up was a kick-ass truck! </p>
<p>BTW, If they ever do go Moke, I hope its as skeletal as possible, looks like a shingle on a skate, and feels like drivin' a magic carpet!</p>
<pre><code> BCNU,
Rob in Dago
</code></pre>
<p>i dont like it. no clip on roof-very crappy, no turbo- not fast off the line, i hate the facelfit, the original mini was the same until they stop making it. i like the van, estate, and pickup, but i believe that only the pickup should have a turbocharger. the rest should stay supercharged. no v6's, none of that, the mini was bron a 4 cylinder, and should die a 4 cylinder</p>
<p>Interesting that the article clip above didn't mention (unlike CAR magazine) that the doors will probably go to a framed design for the next MINI iteration. </p>
<p>-CW</p>
<p>Smiles inwardly 😉 , Keep Guessing folks, its fun watching your anguished commentary from afar.
The photochop job is horrible BTW !</p>
<p>So the 5 door is going have a wheelbase 120mm longer? Can somebody help me with the conversion, 12cm? I guess it will still be a MINI but with two extra doors. </p>
<p>The Estate wagon is what i want to see and the timing, '07-'08, would be perfect. We just had our first child and the wagon would be just about in time for number 2. I'd keep my '04 MCS and get the wife an Estate with CVT. </p>
<p>I'm so ready to start dreaming and specing my next MINI.</p>
<p>nice. i agree with you matt, the estate wagon would be a perfect family car for carrying around kids. plus, it just looks kool. if you go to google images and type in mini wagon, your sure to find a picture or two of the concept. i just wanna save up some money and buy all the mini models. i just finished buying an 05' for my wife, and i have an 04 mcs, i want to get an 05 mcs cabrio, and for sure the wagon, i dont know about the van, but the pickup sounds kickass!</p>