Another Angle on the Next MINI

Sections: MF Feature | R56 (Coupe) Dec 1st, 2004 36 Comments

mini

Yes the next generation MINI is coming a couple of years. And with it we should see some welcome improvements in a couple of key areas. First off the Cooper and Cooper S should get a healthy bump in power to around 140hp and 200hp respectively. Furthermore the engine should be lighter, more efficient and will be built in the England and engineered in Europe rather than Brazil and Detroit.

However the most controversial element will most certainly be the slightly longer/taller bonnet and front overhang (hinted at above) meant to meet the new EU pedestrian safety requirements that go in effect for all new cars in 2005.

All that said I would caution everyone from making judgements on the look of the next MINI at this point. The car above hints at only the shape and none of the final styling. Its meant to conceal any of the look and feel of the final product as much as possible. In this case it would seem this was done with a mixture of new and old body parts combined with others that were fabricated just for the testing mules. In the end it creates a incoherent look that should not be mistaken for anything that would be released to the public.

You can read more on the next generation MINI (or R56) here.

Written By: MF Staff

36 Comments

julian Dec 1st, 2004 Link

i REALLY have planned to buy a next generation mini, to replace my current cooper, but if it is SOOO ugly i just can't do it. looks does matter after all

MiniLifeCrisis Dec 1st, 2004 Link

What is, “front overhang to meet the new EU pedestrian safety requirements?”

Does the “longer bonnet” make the overall length of the MINI longer? If so, won't this effect the handling we're so used to in the current models?

dgszweda Dec 1st, 2004 Link

What is this about 200hp? That has never been reported before. It was always 170hp to 175hp for the CooperS.

Gabe Dec 1st, 2004 Link

You can read more on the engines here: Twin-lamp Shock For New MINI.

Ryan Dec 1st, 2004 Link

Biggest thing besides the lights I notice on here is the lack of bonnet “buldge”. Maybe they will change it in the future, but I thought this new version was supposed to have greater bonnet contouring than our current version to accommodate the larger engine. It seems strange that they would change the bonnet again if it can fit under it as is. This bonnet is definitely not what we have on the vehicles now.

Love the look on that guy's face. “Caught!”

ajigel Dec 1st, 2004 Link

Well, I actually don't mind it so much, it reminds me a bit more of the original mini, although I would have to agree that the bonnet looks a bit large and out of place. But hey, at least we don't have those twin lamp lights on there.

I would like to see what this thing would look like with a chrome grille, or with an S hood scoop.

Matt Dec 1st, 2004 Link

i like what can be seen on the hood and the grill. other than size, i don't think there's all that much exposed. the front overhang might be a problem, but i'm sure the designers are going to do what they can to minimize it. i guess i'm saying i'll reserve judgement till i see the final product.

dickdavid Dec 1st, 2004 Link

I don't think it's that bad. It's a lot better that what initial reports led me to believe. I'd get one for the power increase.

ajigel Dec 1st, 2004 Link

yeah, the power bump is nice – I wonder what a new S with JCW would run at.

Erik Dec 1st, 2004 Link

It's funny. Most of these spy shot opportunities are intentional. I worked for a major motorcycle manufacturer in the US. We would purposely have new/pre-product out in public view just to get free publicity. If they really wanted to keep it a secret it wouldn't be out on the roads, right?

Nicholas P Dec 1st, 2004 Link

Why does this car have the steering wheel on the left side? Wouldn't test cars be done in England and with right-side steering wheels?

could this just be a picture of a normal cooper with photoshopping done to make it look like a spy shot of new model?

German tested Dec 1st, 2004 Link

If the car was test drove in Germany, then that would not be the case. Having driven on German roads, I call tell you that in some cases, they are much better suited for test driving cars than the rest of Europe.

Brian Dec 1st, 2004 Link

The new S probably wont have a hood scoop.

James Irmiger Dec 1st, 2004 Link

Ok, now that I can see things from a different angle, I kind of like it. The new grille has more of the original Mini in it. The hood is neither here nor there, but definitely a smooth blend from the pronounced forward pedestrian bulge into the windscreen. And I absolutely love the one-piece grille (should have done that in the first place)! Though they need some chrome on the headlights for model consistency. Can't wait to see the final product.

Nicholas P Dec 1st, 2004 Link

yeah, if the new S is turbo-charged, then no hood scoop

isellem Dec 1st, 2004 Link

I personally love the new look. I like the look of the larger grill. it reminds me of the classic mini for some reason…

Also, the larger front overhang and taller bonnet should not noticibly effect handling. Right now the MINI has virtually no overhang and adding an inch or two will not be the end of the world when it comes to handling… now adding an overhang like a dodge intrepid or something similar will have a noticble impact on handling.

maxmini Dec 1st, 2004 Link

I actually like the new look. The larger grille is a nice improvement. I think the headlights will look fine with a healthy dose of chrome around them. The nose does seem a bit longer but this is an early test mule and it may well be a bit different in person. I really like the larger lower air intake.

Also, if an extra inch or two in the nose will allow a slightly bigger, better more powerful engine I'm all for it. I do think they need to be careful not to lose the mini of the MINI but this change doesn't seem too drastic.

Jimbo Dec 1st, 2004 Link

Actually, even if the new S is turbo charged, there might still be a bonnet scoop. It is there for feeding air to the intercooler. Turbocharged cars have intercoolers too! Also, the europeaa pedestrian saftey thing is a new regulation for car makers to manufacture the front fender area differnetly so when the cars hit pedestirians, there is less harm done, or something like that….

john Dec 1st, 2004 Link

I looks like eventually all cars will have giant front grills (upper,lower, and/or both)like Audis since those grills will also act like one giant flexable pedestrian absorber.

Say goodbye to hard steel chomes pieces up front and say hello to flexable chome-looking painted plastic ones.

Josh Dec 1st, 2004 Link

Is it just me or does that look like a front mounted intercoooler at the bottom there? Could this be the turbocharged S? Also, any word on if the hood scoop will remain, and if it does, will it remain functional?

Frank Dec 1st, 2004 Link

“Furthermore the engine should be lighter, more efficient and will be built in the England and engineered in Europe rather than Brazil and Detroit.”

Am I the only one getting sick and tired of all this bashing against the current TRITEC engine?

The BMW-Daimler TRITEC engine has proven to be a virtually bulletproof powerplant capable of taking a lot of abuse as demonstrated by the number of mods (Including the twincharged S project) done by many owners in the past couple of years.

I love my “Detroit-Brazil” connection TRITEC engine! Smooth, low maintenance, excellent power delivery, rock solid reliable and fun to drive 1.6L engine!

The TRITEC engine is mad ein one of the most advanced engine plants in the world and uses strict Toyota Manufacturing System quality control processes. The TRITEC motor is perhaps the best and bank vault solid component in the MINI.

There is unreasonable hatred and bashing directed towards this excellent powerplant and the only reason why BMW wants so eagerly to get rid of it its because the plant is owned by archrival Daimler-Chrysler.

I am eager to see the new PSA-Peugeot family of engines, but the truth is that nothing FRENCH has lasted in this country. How many French cars do you see being driven every single day?

Don't get me wrong. I have been to France many times and seen first hand some of their best cars but quality and reliability continues to be a big question mark for a French engine even counting BMW's involvement in its development.

Samba away!