Next MINI: Evolution over Revolution

Agathon Nov 11th, 2004 Link

It looks absolutely dissapointing.

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Virgil Nov 11th, 2004 Link

I bet it also looks disappointing. I rather fancy the new look a bit.

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Gabe Nov 11th, 2004 Link

Keep in mind this is a disguised prototype.

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Mike Nov 11th, 2004 Link

Kinda hard to be sure from that pic, but it does sorta seem like the car loses a bit of its character with the new design. I'll withhold judgment till I can see (and drive) one.

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James Irmiger Nov 11th, 2004 Link

I like the fact that the lower edge of the grille is recessed into the bumper, unlike our two-part grille. It looks more like the original mini. However, I'm not big on the overall look of the fixed headlights. They're sunken in to clear the hood and aren't as smooth as the current ones.

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James Nov 11th, 2004 Link

I'm OK with the new design, actually. The grill and (apparently) more vertical headlights resemble those of the classic Mini. I do hope they keep the current chrome around the headlights. But it looks even more Mini and doesn't appear to be shifting to a more BMW look. That's good.

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petsounds Nov 11th, 2004 Link

It looks like the front is much longer than the current MINI. Maybe to meet WRC spec? Or perhaps to streamline production to share some parts with the 1-series? It looks like a late-70s 300z from the front to me. I was really looking forward to the new Peugot engine matched with AWD, but if this is really the new design, I might be holding onto my 2004 a lot longer.

And this bit about making the wheel wells bigger to fit 18″ wheels…if true it could be an insight into what BMW's philosophy for the MINI might (d)evolve to: bling bling instead of vroom vroom.

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TJKonarski Nov 11th, 2004 Link

The changes, stylistically, seem to be very minor. The biggest difference there seems to be is the lack of chrome. Other than that, I don't think it looks all that different at all.

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Gabe Nov 11th, 2004 Link

Please keep in mind that this is a prototype. MINI will hide all design details (like chrome etc) until the final stage of testing. That could be another couple of years.

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ChrisW Nov 11th, 2004 Link

OK, let's get our “I hate Bangle BMWs” out of the way now.

If I see a single crease on the new MINI, a single crease, I may have to get nasty. :)

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Rodney Nov 11th, 2004 Link

I am surprised no one has complained about the conventional lift-up bonnet. This is a real spoiler for me. This is a very unique feature of the MINI. I hate to see it go.

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codemunkee Nov 11th, 2004 Link

call me crazy but i think it looks exactly the same except for the grill…i do hope they keep the hood scoop for the S.

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David Bunting Nov 11th, 2004 Link

I'm actually happy to see the “lift up bonnet” go away. The “newer style” traditional hood is actually more in keeping with the original Mini.

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JoeDentist Nov 11th, 2004 Link

Don't get too excited. The automotive press is built on hype, not facts. This whole car may just be a development mule for the new engine series, and have nothing much to do with body design. Previous shots of minis said that the engine was taller than the current version, and they expected the hood to rise to the occaission. This may be part of the evolution. Leys wait until we see more concrete examples before making judgements.

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Shawn Nov 11th, 2004 Link

I'll withhold judgment until I see the real deal. But I hope they do not mess too much with the metalwork design on the one-piece bonnet. That's a work of art and switching to a traditional hood would be shame (revenge of the bean counters due to the production costs of the one-piece I'm sure).

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iDiaz Nov 11th, 2004 Link

The rest of the car looks like the same old MINI, so I'd wager that this is just another test mule for the new engine, made to look a little closer to a current MINI than the old test mule with the huge bulge on the bonnet. We'll see…

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Allan Nov 11th, 2004 Link

I like the bonnet as it is now…

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Ryan Nov 11th, 2004 Link

What's the difference between the current bonnet and the “lift-up” bonnet? How will they differ?

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David Bunting Nov 11th, 2004 Link

Currently the headlights are suspended from the hood. According to the article, the next generation MINI would have a more conventional hood and the headlights would no longer be part of the hood assembly, but would remain fixed in place.

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David Bunting Nov 11th, 2004 Link

Looking at that picture a little more, it appears the new hood is already on this car. The headlights appear to sit behind the hood, which has big openings in it. Also that single piece grille appears to stay with the bumpercover when the hood lifts.

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Gabe Nov 11th, 2004 Link

Yeah that looks to be the case on this prototype. If this is true then the MINI might be keeping it's large, single piece hood. That would be a change since everything I've heard has alluded to that one piece hood being one of the things that they'd like to redesign to something more conventional.

I would be too surprised if this prototype isn't indicative of what we'll eventually see in terms of the hood.

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Wraith Nov 11th, 2004 Link

it looks like a minimized Bentley Continental GT, only not quite as swept back

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Shawn Nov 12th, 2004 Link

Actually, looking more closely it does appear this is still a one-piece hood design (with the lights recessed due to their new stationary position). But I would think this compromise would be the worst of both possible scenarios (the two options would be to keep the one-piece bonnet with the lights attached or change the metal work to have conventional, enclosed fenders with a traditional hood). By making the lights stationary, but keeping a one-piece bonnet, I'd worry about the sealing around the light enclosures — how the heck do you have them seal properly against any water getting inside the engine compartment? No, I think this photo has to be a testing mule with the hood pushed out for the new motor and not a final design, however disguised.

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Flo Nov 12th, 2004 Link

i´ve the information that when you take a quick look at the new model you won´t realise that it is a new model.

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john Nov 12th, 2004 Link

Steel prices have trippled this year and chrome plating has also become more expensive so I would expect the base mini to have little-to-no chrome on it and all chrome trim will become a cost option.

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JB Nov 12th, 2004 Link

it reminds me of the changes made to the mk1 (bugeye) sprite where the alligator front hood was discarded in favour of a more conventional lift top hood due to consumer pressures in the end, they were less popular and less valuable in the long run, long live the bugeye!@$!@ (if you dont know what one looks like, check my website link for pics of my car)

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Mike Nov 12th, 2004 Link

I just saw in a magazine, i believe Automobile, the one with the Ferrari Enzo, Ford GT and Porcshe GT going at it for 200 Proof, and they had a new BMW 3 series with a new engine inside it and it looked just like the MINI. The recessed lights and panels and everything like that. It's like they take the skin of the orignal and just slap it on to cover up everything. So that helps to reassure me that the new MINI won't be as ugly as the one in the picture. Take a look when you are in a magazine isle. You'll notice the same type of features being recessed and stuff and stuff bolted on.

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Matsu Nov 17th, 2004 Link

I would attribute any ugly in the pic to the fact that it's a disguised mule, and those tend to wear some ugly cladding. AS other have pointed out.

I wonder if new safety regs might lead to a a proliferation of boxer engines, and/or lay-down designs, once various manufacturer design cycles take them into new engine/transmissison units?

This poster would LOVE to have a 4 door MINI with an AWD boxer powertrain

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Chris Nov 18th, 2004 Link

One word! UGLY!!!

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Yorgo Nov 20th, 2004 Link

Is this the next generation Mini or Austin America?

Actually it looks like it is wearing a mask of some sort. I hope this isn't going to be the final design.

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