Comments on: Autocar Reveals More of the Next MINI

By: Herman L.

Herman L. — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 18:21:40 +0000

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

By: GMINI

GMINI — Sun, 21 Nov 2004 03:01:28 +0000

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…

By: RB

RB — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 15:42:39 +0000

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

*RB

By: EBMCS03

EBMCS03 — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 08:59:10 +0000

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. :)

By: Glassintrepid

Glassintrepid — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 03:38:02 +0000

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.

By: Frank

Frank — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 01:49:12 +0000

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.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 21:05:00 +0000

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.

By: MINIAC

MINIAC — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 20:31:39 +0000

Is the next generation MINI going to be longer?

By: RB

RB — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 19:47:22 +0000

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

By: Gabe

Gabe — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 19:14:01 +0000

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.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 19:12:00 +0000

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

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 19:09:43 +0000

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.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 19:06:29 +0000

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.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 19:00:03 +0000

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?

By: Me

Me — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 08:21:57 +0000

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.

By: James Irmiger

James Irmiger — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 05:32:23 +0000

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.

By: Rocketboy

Rocketboy — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 05:12:46 +0000

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.

By: Rocketboy

Rocketboy — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 05:11:44 +0000

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.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 01:36:49 +0000

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.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 00:47:20 +0000

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.