Next MINI: Evolution over Revolution

Sections: MF Feature | R56 (Hatch) Nov 11th, 2004 30 Comments

mini

As we've mentioned previously here on MotoringFile the next MINI will more of a evolution rather than a revolution in terms of it's design and styling. Autocar (UK) has a spy pic and some information about the next iteration (due in late '06 as an '07 model) in it's current issue. Here's an excerpt:

Although it’s wearing a disguise over the new nose, it’s easy to see the changes to the next-generation Mini. Looks similar to current car, but there’s a conventional lift-up bonnet and fixed- position headlamps.

Look closely at the shape of the much bigger grille and the bonnet’s leading edge. In order to meet next autumn’s pedestrian safety regs, the bonnet has been placed well above the engine bay’s hard points.

[Full Article / Autocar]

Nothing really new here except for the photo. You can find out more on the next generation MINI (and it's engine) in these various MotoringFile articles.

A big thanks to frequent contributor Dave Bunting for sending this our way. Dave also had some thoughts on one of the changes in particular:

It is interesting that the article mentions bigger wheel wells to fit 18's. With the current MINI, 17's already appear to be relatively large for the size of the car. If 18's become fitable without modification, what's to say we won't see 19's or maybe even 20's fitable with a little rubbing or fender/liner modification.

I've heard that 18's will be a more prominent option and could very well be optional from the factory on the R56. The problem currently with 18's is the rubbing that happens under moderate loads. However I can't see MINI offering or even recommending anything larger than that. 19's will be just outrageous on such a small car. Especially as a daily driver.

Written By: MF Staff

Agathon

It looks absolutely dissapointing.
Virgil

I bet it also looks disappointing. I rather fancy the new look a bit.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Keep in mind this is a disguised prototype.
http://www.hyperbluemini.com Mike

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.
James Irmiger

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.
http://www.minisoforlando.org James

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.
petsounds

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.
TJKonarski

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.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

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.
ChrisW

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. :)
Rodney

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.
codemunkee

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.
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com David Bunting

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.
JoeDentist

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.
Shawn

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).
http://www.teammightyminiz.com iDiaz

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…
Allan

I like the bonnet as it is now…
http://www.michiganmini.com Ryan

What's the difference between the current bonnet and the “lift-up” bonnet? How will they differ?
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com David Bunting

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.
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com David Bunting

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.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

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.
Wraith

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

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.
Flo

iÃ‚Â´ve the information that when you take a quick look at the new model you wonÃ‚Â´t realise that it is a new model.
john

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.
http://www.iinet.net.au/~sun/dlhome/ JB

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)
Mike

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.
Matsu

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
Chris

One word! UGLY!!!
Yorgo

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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