Autocar Reveals More of the Next MINI

RB Nov 18th, 2004 Link

If that is the next generation it will not get my money!!

*RB

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Ian Cull Nov 18th, 2004 Link

Is Autocar being sponsored to run a “new MINI” article every week for the next two years!? ;)

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Steven Diver Nov 18th, 2004 Link

Sure seems that way Ian. I suppose I won't complain though, it's rather entertaining to hear everyone's opinion of what they think of the design.

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Gabe Nov 18th, 2004 Link

Hmmm maybe… now if I can only find that type of sponsor :)

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Bill Lawrence Nov 18th, 2004 Link

I actually like the grille that is one piece, rather than today's split grille. It somewhat goes back to the classic MINI. There is a lot of disguise too, so I will reserve my judgement.

I'll miss the one piece bonnet, but that is not a big deal to me.

Let's hope they don't eliminate the side gills either. Those are kind of cool. Are they even functional?

If they do away with the center mounted speedometer, then I'll be pissed!

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Steve Nov 18th, 2004 Link

looks kinda like a miniature porsche cayenne.

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Evan Nov 18th, 2004 Link

Porshe what? Kind of insulting for what appears to be a minor update necessitated mainly by new pedestrian crash standards and new engines.

The new bigger grill should be nice in the final version.

I'm praying for the central speedo to stay put. None of that gimicky chrono pack stuff for me.

I can't believe how quickly the next version will be coming.

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Gabe Nov 18th, 2004 Link

Much of the timeframe of changes has been necessitated by the engine supplier agreement that is ending at the close of 2005.

Remember the MINI was introduced in most of the world almost a year before the US. When the new MINI debuts in late '06/early '07 it would have been almost six years since the launch of the previous version. More info on the next MINI can be found by doing a search for “prince” (the code name of the new engine) or “R56″.

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john Nov 18th, 2004 Link

It looks almost exactly the same as the current car except for a different grill and differnt headlights.

The bonnet still looks likes its one-piece with the only difference being that the headlights are fixed and are not longer connected to the the hood.

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ANTSMINI Nov 18th, 2004 Link

Really disheartened to hear the headlights will no longer lift up with bonnet. One more thing removed from the car that made it unique. Def like the current design better. Someone bring back Frank Stevenson.

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RHT3 Nov 18th, 2004 Link

Uhg-leee! Not cute. Not fun. Just disproportionate.

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Allan Nov 18th, 2004 Link

Don't like it, really…

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05DSMCS Nov 18th, 2004 Link

Again, the disguise on this car completely covers the bonnet, so don't make any judgements on the design at this point. The only thing really viewable about the front of the new car is the grille, which I am happy with, although I am very content with my 05DSMCS.

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john Nov 18th, 2004 Link

There is no disquise over the bonnet since it appears that it opens the exact same way as the current car and the bonnet will have two large holes for the fixed headlights to shine through.

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Gabe Nov 18th, 2004 Link

This is a testing mule most likely meant to look like the current model to not give away too much of the new styling. It is indeed heavily disguised.

Don't judge it on anything but the grille and the overall shape.

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JoeDentist Nov 18th, 2004 Link

I doubt that this is a styling mule. Previous articles said that the Prince engines were taller than the current Tritec engine, and would require a higher hood line. The car from the windshield back seems unchanged. More than likely these cars are just for engine testing and the styling is not even fixed yet. I would think a lower hood withsome kind of bulge might be possible. I just do not think thaat this early on the design is close to set in stone until all the mechanicals are sorted out.

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Aniawn Nov 18th, 2004 Link

There's some things I still don't understand, why are the headlights going to be fixed? Also, with the S models having a turbo charger in them, does this mean the headscoop will disapear, or will there be an intercooler to use it?

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Gabe Nov 18th, 2004 Link

Yes this is not a styling mule… it's more of a structual mule. The new engine is most likely in there (hence the taller/reshaped bonnet) along with other mechanicals.

However this car follows everything we've heard about the new shape of the front end of the next generation car.

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Kyle Nov 18th, 2004 Link

Well, all I can say is that I'm glad I have (or will have in a couple of days!) my 2005 Cooper, not this one.

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Rocketboy Nov 18th, 2004 Link

It still looks like it has a one-piece bonnet, and I wouldn't bet on the next design to have cut-out holes for the headlamps. It just does not make sense. I'm also not huge on the larger wheel-wells. My 16″ rims are a great rim to wheel to car ratio, imho. But any news of even more up-front headlamps is good news to me. I also like the new one-piece looking grille. I never really liked the split look of the current MINI.

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Rocketboy Nov 18th, 2004 Link

Sorry for the double post, I just remembered what I almost forgot, I'm quite happy to hear that they are trying to hide the wipers. I do think it's silly that it's somehow 'safer' for pedestrians though.

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James Irmiger Nov 18th, 2004 Link

I just don't buy that this is the new model. From the front and side shots, it looks exactly like the current chassis with only frontal changes. I'm pretty sure it's just a test mule for engine/hood development. Usually when models change there are decernable alterations to the whole car, not just the front.

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Me Nov 19th, 2004 Link

looks like its less and less likely I'll buy a second MINI when this one is paid off. I thought the 05 headlights were complete ** the ones on that proto make them almost look livable.

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Paul Nov 19th, 2004 Link

What I want is a hybrid MINI, seems like that would be in keeping of the overall priniciples – is there any buzz that such a thing is in the works? Or is planned in any way?

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Gabe Nov 19th, 2004 Link

Since hybrids aren't very popular in Europe (due to more effecient modern diesels being available over there) I would guess that MINI will keep going down the diesel path.

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Michael Nov 19th, 2004 Link

This car has the S-style side skirts, yet this car is missing the signature hood scoop of the S. Point being has the scoop possibly been integrated into the grille or is there the possibility put a turbo in there? That might be a dumb question, but maybe not.

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Gabe Nov 19th, 2004 Link

The next MCS will be a turbo and most likely will not require any type of hood scoop.

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Gabe Nov 19th, 2004 Link

Another note… if you look at the rear fenders they are obviously pushed out in an effort to house larger wheels and possibly a wider track. Also the front plastic trim is much wider – most likely to accomodate the same changes.

I'm guessing this car has both a prototype of a new suspension along with the new engine and cooling systems. It's certainly much more than meets the eye.

Very interesting.

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RB Nov 19th, 2004 Link

I think BMW has lost it's MIND! It must be the cigarette smoke that is giving them brain tumors if they think that thing is attractive!

Why mess with something that is doing better than expected, just make the car better and add some diff models, speedster, wagon…..whatever.

That thing is UGLY, I mean really, look at that mess and excuse me but the grill is beyond stupid!

If I won one of those in a raffle I sell it, if I could, immediately!

And that's not my humble opinion, and exxxxcusse me if it pisses anybody off but what a piece o crap.

TATAFONOW*RB

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MINIAC Nov 19th, 2004 Link

Is the next generation MINI going to be longer?

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Nathan Nov 19th, 2004 Link

Excuse me for writing this but being new to the whole MINI concept or idea, so to speak. I don't see the big deal, maybe I am not MINI purist enough but overall the design looks basically the same. People change, nations change presidents, leaves change, so why can't a little old car change? I personally believe that BMW is just trying to reach a larger demographic, so what, as long as the changes made are for the good, I think it's great. I have not seen anything so far that would be a deal breaker for me. I would buy another MINI in 2007 if I could afford it.

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Frank Nov 19th, 2004 Link

Without seeing what the final product will look like, it is very difficult to know for sure whether the changes are detrimental or not to the character of the car.

The R56 MINI is still 2 YEARS AWAY!!! This is an ETERNITY in the car business and many changes could still be on the cards from here til' then.

So I'll reserve my judgement and look forward to the next gen.

Remember how skiptical people (including yours truly) were about the Cabrio model when the first photos started to poured in? Oh the cabrio is ugly, the cabrio is this and that and when BMW released the final product the critics went away because they did a masterful job with it.

I don't see why the R56 will not be another hit in the making, unless Chris Bangle keeps his dirty little hands out of it.

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Glassintrepid Nov 19th, 2004 Link

Is it safe to say that this is just an 04/05 with new mechanicals, I just dont see what the big deal is.All that is different is the grill, so what, its probably that way to house the new engine. We havent even seen the finished product,so dont freak out, its going to be fine. Trust me.

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EBMCS03 Nov 20th, 2004 Link

It'll look nice in the end… BMW probably just releaseing these to get people all upset and then BLAM a nice pretty little MINI once again. :)

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RB Nov 20th, 2004 Link

Would someone make Frank an “I hate CB” shirt! Maybe you should start a IHCB webblog.

*RB

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GMINI Nov 20th, 2004 Link

No way is the new car going to look much like that. I believe the details of the article – especially the conventional hood – but that hood could hide a moose. I agree that this vehicle is likely a test mule for the new engine. But I would not be surprised to see the snubbed front become more pronounced like that, and the hood line flatten out in front of the windshield…

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Herman L. Nov 23rd, 2004 Link

Wheter the next generation mini'd look like that is up in the air.. i dont think it looks half bad, the front grille treatment harks back to the classic more so than the current offering, now.. to me it'd be great if they made something like the ac schitzer's grille.. that'd be a serious echo of the original

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