Another Angle on the Next MINI

Sections: MF Feature | R56 (Hatch) 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

julian

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

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

What is this about 200hp? That has never been reported before. It was always 170hp to 175hp for the CooperS.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

You can read more on the engines here: Twin-lamp Shock For New MINI.
http://www.michiganmini.com Ryan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The new S probably wont have a hood scoop.
James Irmiger

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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!
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

John – the MINI currently uses flexible plastic chromed pieces on it's exterior. There's really no old-school chromed steel on the car that i can think of.
Frank

The MINI in the photo above is essentially a R50 Cooper with a revised bonnet and a Peugeot engine. I don't see any other radical visual differences aside from the headlights, bonnet, larger wheel wheels and (Gasp!) hidden wipers and cowl (One of the most beautiful details of the current MINI). Towards the back, the car is the SAME folks!

We are looking at a test mule, not a final production R56 MINI. The next MINI is still 2 years away, a very very very very long time in the car business!
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Frank – you're always good for a pro-Tritec comment. I love it!

For the record I don't hate the tritec at all. I totally respect what both MINI and Chrysler were able to do with it. That being said I'm very much looking forward to see something a little more modern in it's design.

And with the new Prince series of engines it would seem BMW will be much more involved in design process.
Frank

LOL, Gabe I am not against progress and evolution..But… I think the TRITEC engine deserves better recognition for a job well done in powering the R50/53 generation with a very solid powerplant.

Wards automotive awarded the 1.6L Supercharged version of this engine the title of the “10 best engines in the world” back in 2003.

I hope that the new “prince” engines deliver not only in terms of performance but quality and reliability but like I said, nothing from France's autodom has ever lasted in this country long enough.

I love simple engines. The MINI's engine is the first ever 1.6L motor that I have truly enjoyed (Even better than the DOHC powerplants in my previous Hondas/Acuras).

Take this from a guy that before catching the “MINI Fever” always believed that there was no “Replacement for Displacement”.
flav

didn't nissan and peugeot team up to create the amazing VQ engine in all nissans including the new 350Z. the VQ is probably one of the best engines even made (take it from me i owned a 350Z). and the VQ made it in wards top 10 for the past 10 years. so imagine when BMW and peugeot team up, it will be great. and i'm with frank, i do love the tritec. i would rather drive a small engine hard than a large engine soft. and these tritec engines in the mini and mini s are ment to be reved high. and from what they have shown are vitually indestructable. what more can a driver want in a small engine.
Randolph Lee

I too am a fan of the current Supercharged 1.6; engine and while I accept that there is probably not enough long term growth available in the block to keep on with it what I will miss most is the supercharger… Turbos are just so common! and I love the sound of the blower… I bet one of the most popular mods for the new engine will be a supercharger… I just hope that John Cooper Works will offer it so I will be able to get one and keep the warranty when I trade in for a new MINI in 2008
Evan

First off, Nissan's V6 was designed well before Renault got in to the deal and saved the entire company. It is an amazing engine, but it is a strictly Nissan design.

For the French, they do good cars and decent engines, and as mentioned before, BMW has had much input on the Prince engine series (probably more than it did on the Tritec unit) and the engine will be built to BMW specs in its own factory. I can't think of any engine that the flying propeller ever let out that wasn't a great unit.

That said, I like my MINI's current engine, it is very reliable and warms up quickly. However, I do have to concede that it isn't as free a revver as other I4's I've driven. It's powerful, and screams over 3500 rpm, but its overall smoothness is a step off of the VTEC I4 in my girlfriend's Civic.

Before anyone says anything, I wouldn't trade my MINI for anything and enjoy every fire of its cylinders.

Motor On. And let's wait for some real spy shots and not just engine/suspension mules….
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Evan – totally agree. It's hard to know for sure but from my understanding BMW didn't have much input on the general design of th tritec. It would appear that the new Prince engines will be very different in that regard.
DancesWithCones

This must have been taken in France because everything has been frenched: the engine, the headlights, the grill. =:^) I like the headlights.

If you look carefully, you'll notice that the bonnet is just a skin over the original. There's a lip around the grill, headlights and fender break. I don't think any of the body has anything to do with the R56. It's just to us talking and keep us talking. This car will have been through 6 production years (or more) before a major change. BMW is nervous that they might lose the momentum they have between now and mid-06…and it's working. Just count the posts. Frankly, I'm probably going with the 140 horse 06 R50 as my next MC. With any luck the LSD will also be available.

John
joe

lots of comments about headlights … those headlights are the current mini headlights so they are too small for the prototype … they will not look like that in the final version

this is stated in the article: http://www.autocarmagazine.com/newsarticle.asp?naid=212251
Josh

Anything feels like a great engine after living with the 8-valve VW 2.0L for a couple years, damn that engine sucked.
vin

People calm down.

It may not look like it, but the mini in the pic has a lot of body cladding/camoflage on it. Check around on the internet for spy shots of BMW's. If you look closely, you'll notice that this is how bmw covers its cars when testing. The body panels look real, but they aren't. I'd wager the next MINI won't look as bad as everyone says.
Bill Lawrence

One thing I saw that gives me hope for the next MINI is the Rolls Royce Phantom.

There is no sign of BMW styling in the Phantom. This big, massive hulk of fat cat car says Rolls Royce all over it. When you see it in person, it's size, lines and workmanship really take you back in time when the worlds premier luxury cars were something bigger and more ostentatious than the cars us peasants could acquire.

If BMW can keep the identity of the Rolls Royce on a 7-series platform distinctive from it's German cousin, then there is hope for us fans of the MINI.

Don't fret guys, BMW is arguably one of the best car companys in the world. They are certainly smart enough to make the right decisions on their biggest success story of the last decade.
Adam

It'd look better with bonnet stripes.

And some of those cool new headlights. NOT.
http://users.adelphia.net/~rocketboy/index.html Rocketboy

I still like the large grill, but is it me, or making a car extra safe if you run someone over sort of bunk? It's a freakin car, don't walk in front of one.

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