The Next MINI Becomes More Clear

Allan Jan 3rd, 2005 Link

Its not bad, but I still don't like it. We'll just have to wait and see it to the unveiling.

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Jason Jan 3rd, 2005 Link

well, as much as I adore my MINI, I realize that a design change is vital to it's lasting success, and I'll probably be ready for a fresh look in a few years anyway – Lord knows the beetle could use one. that said, though, seeing all of these photoshop jobs for the next couple years is going to be painful.

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Jimbo Jan 3rd, 2005 Link

That turn signal in the side-view mirror is pretty awful….

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Wraith Jan 3rd, 2005 Link

i really hope they keep the headlights attached to the bonnet. every other car on the market has the conventional headlight to body design. this is a just another thing that makes our MINI's unique

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dgszweda Jan 3rd, 2005 Link

Does the picture of that new design really make the Mini look like it has a face? I hope that is a bad photoshop job. I thought Kerbie was dead?

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Erik Jan 3rd, 2005 Link

It seems that there is less distinction between the turbo cooper and the turbo S as far as power is concerned. I assume since the intercooler is “located low down” they will eliminate the bonnet scoop on the S. Do you think the exterior styling will be nearly identical across the range with the new engine. As a huge plus, the fuel economy for these new engines sounds awesome.

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Sean Bancroft Jan 3rd, 2005 Link

I aagree with Jimbo. The turn signals in the side-view mirrors are hideous.

I also hope they keep the headlights attached to the bonnet…one of the most unique and endearing features of the current version.

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Charles Jan 3rd, 2005 Link

I like it. But the turbocharger in the Cooper will raise insurance premiums…:(

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Josh Jan 3rd, 2005 Link

You can see in this pic atleast that the hood seem is at the same level as the fender seem and that the lights are NOT on the hood. Not a bad job of capturing the same look though. I'm content.

I like the wider fender flares and side sills, though I'll miss the hood scoop on the S if its gone.

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Gabe Jan 3rd, 2005 Link

As mentioned in previous articles the headlights will not be attached to the bonnet due to cost concerns.

And I would not count on those turn signals on the mirrors actually happening. BMW has always favored signals just behind the front wheels… where they are currently.

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Lucas Jan 3rd, 2005 Link

So… no more hood scoope?

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EricR Jan 4th, 2005 Link

“The windscreen will also stay upright and relatively close to the driver.”?? Am I the only one who thinks the windscreen is anything but close to the driver? Vs. my miata and CRX it's quite a distance.

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Jason Jan 4th, 2005 Link

Yeah, I laughed at that too. I don't know to what car they're comparing it to, but you could perform a puppet show on that dash. (I'm just saying.)

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James Irmiger Jan 4th, 2005 Link

I hate to even throw this out there, but why are we still looking at Autocar as anything remotely factual? These obviously Photochopped pics are good visual candy for selling magazines, but that's about it. I'm holding my final opinion until I see the “real” thing.

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Gabe Jan 4th, 2005 Link

I don't think they're really trying to hide the fact that the pic is photoshopped. They refer to it in the article and the last photo even shows the original press photo next to it as a comparison.

With that said I would say this is probably the closest any magazine has gotten to at least the general shape of the car. Give the sides of the grille less of an extreme angle and make the hood a touch taller and you'd probably be a bit closer.

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ajigel Jan 4th, 2005 Link

Yeah, I assume its more photoshop, which I'm really getting sick of. As for the design, I do like the concept of the 1 piece grille. Its the one gripe I have about the current version – it looks odd, although I do like the bonnet.

As for the engines – any sign of a Mini One or diesel engines showing up in the US with this release?

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Gabe Jan 4th, 2005 Link

I haven't heard anything definitive but I would doubt the US will be seeing the MINI One. I'd also doubt the MINI One Diesel would make it over with the current engine. It would take something with a bit more power to fit into the expectations of the US market. Unless gas hits $4 a gallon :)

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RoccosModernLife Jan 4th, 2005 Link

Well, things seem to be looking up for the next MINI, I can rest easy now I know we'll keep our center speedo! The only thing I'm not so sure about is the grille. It's bigger (which I like) but a bit to pointed at either end. The only other thing is that I really wish they'd keep the bonnet scoop – it's one of the things I really love about the MINI today!

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ajigel Jan 4th, 2005 Link

Yeah, all the renderings make the front end of the Mini look “mean”. I don't get it. Hopefully the Mini doesn't follow the new design look of the BMWs (not that I don't like it, but its just not Mini).

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John Jan 4th, 2005 Link

I think the 2007 Mini will actually look pretty good and I hope they make an AWD version with over 200HP since I will be in the market for a new car in 2009.

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john Jan 4th, 2005 Link

this seems like a decent revision of the MINI styling theme.

at least it doesn't have [insert Bangle rant] … it still looks clean and like a MINI.

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Ryan Jan 4th, 2005 Link

I like the turn signal on the mirror.

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TJKonarski Jan 4th, 2005 Link

On the current MINI the area with the side-vent where you see a cluster of seams from the door, bonnet, lower & upper fender areas — That area looks sloppy and chopped-up. I'm wondering with the new design if that area might have less seams and look cleaner and more finished. It's hard to tell from the pic.

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Matt Jan 4th, 2005 Link

That's actually one of my favorite parts of the car, TJKonarski.

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Gabe Jan 4th, 2005 Link

Yeah that's one of my favorite areas too. All those intersecting lines give the design a nice tension.

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Jack07734 Jan 4th, 2005 Link

I recomend taking a look at the side of an original Mini.

All those seams follow the lines of the original Mini.

Cheers, Jack

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Scott Jan 4th, 2005 Link

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I think this is good news. Assuming all of this speculation is correct, the suspension set-up that allows the MINI to handle so well is not changing, the appearance of the MINI will not change dramatically, and the engines will be more powerful. That all sounds just fine to me.

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john Jan 4th, 2005 Link

I would like to see a factory wide-arch option to go with that extra power and possible AWD.

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DCE Jan 4th, 2005 Link

At the bottom of the article, it mentions pricing. It says for the S, 16000 pounds. At the current exchange rate, that would mean the next S would hit the US at $32.000. Goodbye good deal. If that's what it prices out at, I'm afraid that I'll be looking elsewhere for a replacment for my 04.

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Luke Jan 4th, 2005 Link

DCE: The current MCS starts at 15,800 pounds right now. The new S won't be more more expensive than the current $20k

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Nicholasp27 Jan 4th, 2005 Link

yeah, right now the S is the same price in pounds…BMW is just eating the dollar dip and still selling the S at 20k…it SHOULD cost us 30k RIGHT NOW to buy the S based on the dollar's value…yet another reason the S is the best value car in the US…

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RB Jan 4th, 2005 Link

BTW….dgszweda…it's Herbie…RB

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KM Jan 4th, 2005 Link

No complaints – I'll be trading my 05 for the new one when it rolls on over to my dealership.

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slh Jan 4th, 2005 Link

“z-link rear transmission”??? isn't that a typo in the last word of the third sentence of your intro paragraph. As good as your site is, it often has typographical errors–fire the proofreader :-)

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shenmue Jan 4th, 2005 Link

Considering that the GT-R might finally make it to the states in 07 from Infiniti – I'm tempted to jump ship.

The new design for the Mini looks nice – just wished the projected engine was alot more powerful.

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allan MICHAEL Jan 4th, 2005 Link

I* bet you the gas mileage will be the same as now with a spooling turbo your foot will be 'in it', more than ever!! :( or :)

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codemunkee Jan 4th, 2005 Link

it's definitely photoshop or some other similar program. notice how the background is exactly the same? that said i like the new one, lights in the mirrors and all. i do hope they keep the hood scoop for the S. i can't wait!

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Vanwall Jan 4th, 2005 Link

I'll withhold judgement until I see the real deal. As long as millimeters don't turn into centimeters and then to meters, I'll be OK with it. I'm gonna miss the lights on the bonnet. I'll not shed too many tears over the scoop, however, as I accepted it grudgingly as a neccesary evil. Always reminded me of a Fairthorpe Em2, or a Rockette, or some such – I wanted an offset NACA duct m'self.

      BCNU,
    Rob in Dago

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RB Jan 5th, 2005 Link

Well if it looks anything like that blue thing I'll wait until 2014 and maybe they'll get better.

I'm keeping my 2002…thank you!

RB

BTW…in my book the hood scoop is one of the kooler items otherwise the hood is a blob, to me.

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Doug Jan 5th, 2005 Link

I think it's going in a good direction. I think the scoop makes the current S model look fatfaced, piglike, snouty. The Cooper hood has a sleeker and more aggressive line to it.
Good Riddence to that nostril! I like the larger, open grille. If they mount an intercooler, I'd imagine there would be some space created up front… would that be an extended frame?

Hood minus lights is a good cost counter move on MINI's part.

The mirror signals, yuck. Wish they'd redeign the mouse ears completely. But I do not like the side marker lights either. A redesign of that feature would be nice.

And an AWD would mean less room inside, higher insurance rates, mor expenive upkeep, the MSRP will be significantly higher… AWD in a MINI wouldn't seem like much of an advantage, considering.

Anyhow, I'd pass over the coop for the GT-R myself… And Nissan is planning on releasing a compact, looks like a small 350Z… which should be pretty nice.

A lot coming to us in the future.

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Brian Jan 5th, 2005 Link

No scoop?? Thats not cool.

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Nathan Jan 5th, 2005 Link

I agree with Doug “the scoop makes the current S model look fatfaced, piglike, snouty. The Cooper hood has a sleeker and more aggressive line to it.” A MINI without the scoop would be fine with me. That is just an one opinion, though.

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Steve Jan 8th, 2005 Link

It never fails, car companies continue to modernize and tweak until the car looks less and less than intended. I like the new Mustang because it harkens back to the original, and I think Ford will sell a ton of them just because of nostalgia.

My favorite car of all time was a 71 MGB. The make eventually died because they kept modernizing it. I love my Cooper and am glad I got one now. Now if I can just have the good sense to maintain it well into the future-unlike what I let happen to the old MG.

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CYN MCS Jan 10th, 2005 Link

When I first saw the pic above of the '07 Mini I thought it was a Cooper. Then I saw the current MCS to the right and realized the one on the left is a '07 MCS. I think the S isn't an S without the hood scoop.

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TJKonarski Jan 12th, 2005 Link

I agree — An S needs the hood scoop. It looks a bit impotent without it. I use the word 'impotent' purposefully because the dictionary's definition is: “Lacking physical strength or vigor; weak. Lacking in power, as to act effectively; helpless.” Also, because this has always been touted a 'boy' car. To remove the hood scoop on the S is to practically castrate it. MINI exec's, if you're reading this post… KEEP THE SCOOP ON THE S!

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BRGCooper Jan 12th, 2005 Link

The 07 concept is terrible so far. The hoodscoop is the defining feature of a Cooper S. Removing the hoodscoop would be a huge mistake. The angled lights look to Mercedes E-classe like too. Also the turning signals should stay behind the wheel.

All I can say is thank goodness this is only a photoshop and there's a chance MINI's design team is reading our reactions. MINI seems to be about hertage (BMW) so they hopefully will keep the design as original as possible.

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Roderick Gamboa Jan 15th, 2005 Link

How long did it take to change & redesign the new mini2 since the original austin mini design ? A LOT of years!!!! That is the reason why its such a classic that people collect them till today. What are these guys doing? Can they just stick to the first mini2 design. They just messed up!!!

How will this turn into a classic if they keep on changing the looks within 4-6 years!!!!!!

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Daill3stchop Jan 16th, 2005 Link

To all that think the new Mini will look horrible according to the rendering at the top….you should be ashamed of yourselves! If the car looks anything like the rendering, it will be a very good looking car, better than the current one. The side mirror markers are definatly a nice touch. The whole front end looks amazing! I also think that the new engines are much needed. With new competition comming around with 200+ hp 4cyl. in the same class for about the same price or cheaper…BMW NEEDS to step it up a notch. I just think that the new 1.6L twin-cam turbo will be more fun to drive, and more efficient at making power than the pathetic single cam superchaged 4 cyl. Not to mention it's going to sound a whole lot better at open throttle because of the twin-cams. After market tuning will also help the car obtain much more HP than tuning the current engine. Turbo engines respond better to mods as compared to superchaged variants. Another tuning advantage is the twin-cam thing. Not only will it sound better, it will also include BMW's variable valve timing which means better feul economy and when modded with aftermarket sport cams, it will produce much more HP than if u were just modding a single cam engine. The point of all this is that the Mini needs a serious makeover, inside and out. Competition is getting feirce and i just think that BMW just has way more potential than what it's currently doing….oh yea…and the rendering looks bad ass too! C'mon BMW, build that Monster Mini!

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TJKonarski Jan 19th, 2005 Link

Daill3stchop: Ashamed?… Are you kidding or ignorant?! Pick one! One should never be ashamed of of their opinions, likes or dislikes. Necessity is the mother of invention… But so is imagination, creative expression and CHANGE… DON'T EVER TRY TO STIFLE THESE CHARACTARISTICS!!! They are what allow things that happen to actually come to fruition. Some of it works — Some of it does not. But without it we wouldn't have the all the good that exists now and all that will exist in the future. Express you're opinion, you're entitled. But never EVER place shame on someone for simply expressing themselves.

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Hunter Mar 2nd, 2005 Link

I do like the rendering, but I hope that MINI keeps the design very (and I mean VERY) close to the current design that I love so much…Just a simple facelift would suffice!

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Luca May 14th, 2005 Link

vorrei sapere se uscirà la versione diesel del mini cabrio che data???

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cafeine Aug 26th, 2005 Link

Actually, I am a BIG FAN of the above photoshopped version….

I like the plastics under the door (much meaner and sporty, like the mirror flash (too classy)(although I wonder how will it look with chequered mirrors etc) and I LOVE THE FRONT!!!!!…

Can I order mine as the above and leave the others pic whatever they want?…lol

cheers 2 all and let us have a nice mini meeting in ITALY!!!!!!

(cafeine, Greek Miniclub.gr)

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