And some of those cool new headlights. NOT.

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.

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.

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

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

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….

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”.

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.

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!

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!

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

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.