Autocar Reveals More of the Next MINI

Sections: In the Press | R56 (Hatch) Nov 18th, 2004 37 Comments

mini

Never one to rest on it's laurels, British magazine Autocar has a couple new photos of a testing mule that appears to be an early version of the R56 – the next generation MINI. This just a week after the previous photo and article. There's really no new info for the well informed MotoringFile visitor but the photos do give us a glimpse (you may need to squint) of the next MINI's overall shape. Remember… evolution over revolution. Here's an excerpt from the article:

With less than two years to go before the third-generation Mini is revealed by BMW, the first engineering prototypes are testing in Germany. Last week we ran the first picture of the next-generation Mini, but these new scoops reveal even more about the car.

The current car’s exposed wipers have been recessed to sit beneath the bonnet’s trailing edge. This is partly to improve pedestrian head protection during an impact, but required a major re-design of the car’s frontal structure.

You can read and see more from Autocar here. And you can read more on the R56 (the next generation MINI) in these previous MotoringFile articles.

Written By: Gabe

RB

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

*RB
http://www.gbmini.net Ian Cull

Is Autocar being sponsored to run a “new MINI” article every week for the next two years!? ;)
http://cooperchronicle.com Steven Diver

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.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

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

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!
Steve

looks kinda like a miniature porsche cayenne.
Evan

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.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

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″.
john

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.
ANTSMINI

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.
RHT3

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

Don't like it, really…
05DSMCS

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.
john

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.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

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.
JoeDentist

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.
Aniawn

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?
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

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.
Kyle

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.
http://users.adelphia.net/~rocketboy/index.html Rocketboy

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.
http://users.adelphia.net/~rocketboy/index.html Rocketboy

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.
James Irmiger

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.
Me

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.
http://miniblog.guapacha.com Paul

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?
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

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.
http://www.swflamini.com Michael

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.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

The next MCS will be a turbo and most likely will not require any type of hood scoop.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

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.
RB

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
MINIAC

Is the next generation MINI going to be longer?
Nathan

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.
Frank

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.
Glassintrepid

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.
EBMCS03

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. :)
RB

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

*RB
GMINI

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…
Herman L.

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

← New MotoringFile Desktop Wallpaper Winter Driving Tips from Tirerack →

Sort by MINI model

Recent BimmerFile Stories

MINI Model Cheat Sheet

1st Gen MINI
R50: One & MC Hatch
R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt.
R53: MCS Hatch
2nd Gen MINI
R55: Clubman
R56: Hatch
R57: Convertible
R58: Coupe
R59: Roadster
R60: MINI Crossover
R61: MINI Crossover Coupe
3rd Gen MINI
F55: Clubman
F56: Hatch
F57: Convertible
F60: MINI Crossover
F62: Traveller

Advertise with MotoringFile

If you or your company are interested in advertising on the most influential MINI website in the world, please visit our Advertising section. If you have further questions about becoming a sponsor or would like to see our rate sheet please feel free to contact us directly.