More on the next MINI from Autocar.
With engineering work well underway on the next-generation Mini, and the secrets of the car’s new engine revealed, we didn’t expect to get a tip-off about the new car’s looks. But these official sketches released by BMW’s Designworks studio seem to give more than a hint about the look of the next-generation Cooper S. Close examination of this rendering appears to confirm that it is a version of the Mini 2: note the hidden wipers, conventional bonnet, extended rear haunches and the new, one-piece grille opening.
With the supercharger’s bonnet air intake set to go, BMW needs a way to make the new hot Mini instantly recognisable. This aggressive bumper treatment and faired-in driving lights could be an ideal solution. (New pedestrian safety regulations are expected to outlaw separate driving lamps).
Update: We’ve edited the sketch a bit to give the concept more realistic proportions and to better follow the most recent spy photos we’ve seen.
Overall the article is a good read and while it may not be 100% accurate, it brings up some interesting points. Some of you may remember the sketch above from the Ultimate LA Machine renderings BMW released a few weeks ago. Some of you may also remember yours truly mentioning something about that particular sketch and how similar it looks to some of the R56 themes we’ve been hearing about. Is Autocar reading MotoringFile comments 🙂 You can read more below:
<p>I know a bunch of people complained about the radical styling changes, but I really like the new look and think that this would be a good candidate to replace my ’04 MC when it comes time to buy a new car.</p>
<p>The only thing that looks a little off are the “fangs”.</p>
<p>me like it alot. bye bye 2005 MC. </p>
<p>I like the grill on that one.
The smaller, extra headlights with the bulges in the hoods are also nice.
The fender below is not my type – but this is a sketch, so I’m thrilled to see more designs soon.</p>
<p>I doubt those extra driving lights will stick-out like the sketch shows but be recessed and more incorporated into the design to meet the new pedestrian safety laws.</p>
<p>I’m sure Mini’s new design will do a good job.</p>
<p>The only problem I have with this picture is that it’s in with the other pictures in the Autocar gallery in the article. This is the only remotely normal looking one. This is just one of about 6 very, VERY different looks they have sketched out. If any of those other deisgns are indicative of what we should expect, I’m not too sure.</p>
<p>The main thing that no new article seems to mention was the removal of the black or white painted roof on the next-Mini.</p>
<p>A while back it was mentioned the the next-Mini would no longer have a opposing white or black painted roof to cut costs of having to send the car into the paint shop twice and instead would have a painted plastic cover that would fit over the roof.</p>
<p>I would suspect if this is true they would have two roof cover designs for a Mini with and without the panoramic sunroof. It will be interesting to see if these roof covers are colored plastic or actually painted and if these roof covers will also be avaialbe with flags, checkers, and etc as factory options.</p>
<p>Does anybody else, beside me, see the “hidden wipers” ???</p>
<p>+++RB</p>
<p>john – that’s actually not quite correct. MINI has stated previously it was looking into ways of pre-painting the roofs and installing them on cars as they rolled down the line. Essentially having clip-on roofs. The issue was painting the roof separately from the body is a very tricky and time consuming process. Apparently it has been a bottleneck in terms of increasing production capacity. This doesn’t mean they won’t be offering white and black roofs. Far from since that’s one of the MINI’s most distinctive features. I guarantee that MINI won’t mess with something as iconic as the white or black roof.</p>
<p>Stunning, now that the JCW package is installed on my 03MCS my 10 year old son, Cooper isn’t getting mine. But a 5 year old next generation MCS would be perfect for him when he turns 16!</p>
<p>Gabe- I agree, But I thought that while next-gen MINI’s would still have colored roof options they wont be painted in the same way the current car is. So the whole car (including the roof) would get painted in the body shop once and then if a customer ordered a white or black roof it would added afterward as some sort of white or black clip-on cover that fits over the body-colored factory metal roof. </p>
<p>I was speculating/guessing that this clip-on roof cover would be made out of plastic and was wondering if the cover would be molded in either white or black plastic or if the cover would actually be painted before installation.</p>
<p>The reason why I think this roof cover could be constructed out of plastic is to help prevent rust and if it was molded in either white or black it would be cheaper to produce then if they had to paint them before installation.</p>
<p>It would be cool if this roof cover could be taken off be the customer so a person could switch from having a white roof to a body-colored roof or switch to a black roof and etc.</p>
<p>It’s pretty hard to “see” what the next generation will really look like from these sketches. If anything, they look more like sketches from the next Pixar movie, “CARS”. MINI has always had a Toontown quality to its look, particulary from the front. Maybe they’ve just decided to go the full cartoon look. :)</p>
<p>John – gotcha. I could be totally off base but I foresee several issues with a roof that isn’t permenantly installed at the factory. For one – rattles. Creating something as large as a roof cover that’s able to be removed at a later date would create some huge rattle potential. Secondly quality fit and finish around the roof could be rather difficult considering the design of the car (framelss doors for example). </p>
<p>I can see the potential of a plastic roof but I would expect BMW to paint it in the same way as the rest of the car. Otherwise body colored roofs would be rather difficult.</p>
<p>And for all those that are going to the Autocar article and looking at the other photos… please keep in mind what they were <a rel="nofollow" href="http://motoringfile.com/2005/01/07/the_ultimate_la_machine_contest">originally meant for</a>. <b>The one to pay attention to is the main pic within the article (also at the top of this page)</b>. Like I said above it’s also the one I referenced a few weeks ago as a good indication of the next MINI.</p>
<p>If they go with something like the design at the top of this page, I kinda’ like it. A bit more evolutionary than revolutionary, with the grill shape recalling the second generation Classic Mini.</p>
<p>I really like these “sketches” but lament the dismissal of some of the “hallmark” design cues of the current R53 generation. Still, the ’07 R56 is indeed something to look forward to and the car should be more refined than ever, although BMW should not forget that this car has some inherinted “quirkiness” that taken away will transform the car into another econo hatch.</p>
<p>Now the decision is.. Should I get the 2005 MCS I currently have on order? or rather, keep my fun ’04 MCS for another year and a half and trade it for a new ’07 R56?</p>
<p>What a dilemma! What would you do, Gabe? </p>
<p>I’m not entirely sure yet Frank. As a few know I’ve been toying with the idea of ordering an ’05 for quite some time. However my original plan was to wait until ’07 for the next generation. Now with confirmation that the new car will be coming in late ’06 I’m left with a desicion to make. </p>
<p>One thing is certain… MINIs hold their value very well and I’ll be able to do rather well whenever I go to sell my car.</p>
<p>Gabe, my only concern with the ’07 R56 is that it will be a first year vehicle, with an all new powerplant and some other componentry here and there. Although my first year ’02 Cooper has been great, BMW does not have a good track record when it comes to first year releases.</p>
<p>Having said that, I also had planned to hold out for the ’07 model year, but the ’04-’05 and soon to be released ’06s will be the best of the best in terms of build quality and reliabiity.</p>
<p>If I don’t get to sell my ’04 MCS within the next 6 weeks, then I regretfully will have to cancel my order for the new ’05 MCS, keep my ’04 for another year and a half or until the end of the warranty and trade up to either a new ’07-’08 MCS. If I sell my ’04 MCS now, then I’ll get the new ’05 MCS and keep that baby until at least 2009, when the R56 generation will be on its third production year with most of its initial bugs already worked out.</p>
<p>If any past performance is an indicator of how MINI will handle things in the future, MINI drastically improved the quality of the 2004+ MINIs. My 16 month old MCS with 17.7K miles does not rattle or squeak and the car has been absolutely troublefree.</p>
<p>I guess whatever we both happen to decide, I don’t think we will go wrong about it. A MINI is a MINI after all and that is a very good thing.</p>
<p>I would love to see a 2009 factory-built JCW with AWD and 230HP priced around $29,995 (in 2008/09 US dollars).</p>
<p>It would be cool if next-gen JCW Mini’s come directly from the factory and are not costly dealer installed add-ons.</p>
<p>Frank – My 2004 MCS (built in Dec. ’03) has developed all kinds of rattles in the dash. 2004 build quality is definitely better than the 2002 I test-drove, but I think rattles are inherent to the multi-part dash. It’s actually gotten really annoying and I have my stereo cranked up all the time to drown out the creaks.</p>
<p>Other than the extra black plastic on the front, I like… I always thought that the weakest part of the current design is the big split in the grille…</p>
<p>Petsounds, sorry to hear about your dashboard rattle problems in your ’04 MCS. On the other hand my ’04 MCS (9/03 build) is rock solid and tight as a drum. My dash is quiet and has never been a source of unpleasant rattles or other noises. Then again I have the 16″ runflats which don’t appear to be as rough riding as the S-Lites with 17″ rubber.</p>
<p>I am very pleased with the build quality of the car. There has to be something wrong with yours. I would get it checked while it is still under warranty.</p>
<p>Gabe- Any word on what might be different for the 06’s? I haven’t heard anything about what might change between 05 and 06… or when the 06s would come out. Just curious at what the last of the R53s will be like.</p>
<p>i really like the new design. of course, i would keep my 04′ and 05′ mcs’s, but i could see myself buying one of these in the future. and as for the black plactic on the bumper, i’d just get it painted as i’ve already done to the fenders on my 04′ and 05′. so if chris bangle designed this one, i give him props. but then again. this isn’t the origional new mini. my 04′ is.</p>
<p>i really like the new design. of course, i would keep my 04′ and 05′ mcs’s, but i could see myself buying one of these in the future. and as for the black plactic on the bumper, i’d just get it painted as i’ve already done to the fenders on my 04′ and 05′. so if chris bangle designed this one, i give him props. but then again. this isn’t the origional new mini. my 04′ is.</p>
<p>Not to turn this into a rattles thread, but I would also like to add that my 04 MC has developed a lot of rattles in both the dash and sunroof.</p>
<p>I’m afraid that the “built-in” driving lamps will be mostly cosmetic. The MINI OEM lamps may not be the greatest in the world, but all it takes is the removal of two nuts and 4 wires to upgrade to whatever you like. I ordered the OEM lamps on my 05 MCS, but I’ll upgrade them in a snap if they are subpar. At least with this design, I can.</p>
<p>Rawhyde</p>
<p>I’m not at all crazy about the black plastic front bumper. I do like the larger grill opening and the brightwork. The front driving lamps would look better inside the grill area. It definately needs the bonnet vent to look complete. It looks naked without it. The vent is a nice detail that reminded me of an Austin Healey or a 60’s Aston Martin and I’d hate to see it go.</p>
<p>MINIpablo – i’ve heard very little on the ’06 changes. That leads me to believe two things… either they will be minor or totally non-existant. I wouldn’t be surprised to a special edition of some kind though.</p>
<p>Is it just me or am I the only one who recognizes that drawing from the LA AUTOSHOW “LA Car Design Contest”???</p>
<p>PFFT!</p>
<p>Please read the post before you comment.</p>
<p>back to john- does anyone else see the problem with a jcw AWD 230hp $30,000 mini? i don’t think mini would ever do it!! look at the competition right now-let alone in 4 years–sti, evo 8, gasp! how in the world could mini compete with these track-eating cars? i love the mini, but they’re gonna have to do something else ie., lower price, more power, etc.
however, all of those are hard to do. so….</p>
<p>$30,000 in 2009 dollars for a 230HP AWD JCW Mini won’t be a big deal considering that many people have easily paid over that in 2005 dollar for a MCS with a 210 JCW kit.</p>
<p>230HP in such a small car would be very competive and since the next-Mini will be turbo’d there will be alot of aftermarket mods to get it up to 300HP. </p>
<p>Don’t forget the Euro has continued to climb against the US dollar and the the next-gen Mini will take this into consideration. I would guess that Mini’s prices will increase accross the board but while all the cars in their lineup will be more expensive they will all have more power, more room inside,use higher quality materials in the interior, and have larger wheels as standard.</p>
<p>I did read the article.
It’s not even 1% official. It was a study. Not meant for anything more than entertainment.
I mentioned it previously, due to the comments that fell below the article. </p>
<p>Imagine that.</p>
<p>Has anyone else seen the pics of the new VW GTI V with the blackened front facia? I wonder if this is going to become the next trend?</p>
<p>What exactly are the new pedestrain rules about with regard to lights?</p>
<p>If the new look is as aggressive as the sketches, I like it. Hard to tell if the short overhangs are still part of the character; we’ve seen/read some indications pointing to (slightly) longer overhangs. </p>
<p>I was also wondering the same thing James, this front black facia is like the new GTI. </p>
<p>Well one thing is clear the MIni will change and I’m sure for the overall better. The problem I see is how more “moddern” BMW wants to make it and that’s both good and bad. I’m sure it will stand out from the rest when it’s out, hope it has AWD but more then anything it’s “still” a Mini. </p>
<p>All these changes make me want to hold onto my 04 more:)</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.autocar.co.uk//Car/Mini/Mini/27155647460.jpg">This looks like a Ford Ka to me.</a> I used to have one, and this definately looks like a Ford Ka. >:|</p>
<p>That is not the picture you want to look at to see any indications of the next MINI. Like I said above … the only ones of any importance are the ones posted above in this story.</p>
<p>Not bad… if the ’07 Cooper S ends up looking like that drawing, I might consider it over the current one. The grille and separate hood makes it look somewhat like an Aston. The only thing I’ll miss is the supercharger whine.</p>
<p>Rattle city in my ’05 MCS — mainly right over the steering wheel. Got an idea about how to stop it– as a new dash pad has not the trick. A DSC lite that continues to come on, when i nail it. Otherwise, i love this car!</p>
<p>the sketches above are certainly nice looking designs (unlike the hideous cars recently pictured in test), but it don’t see how they would meet the pedestrian standards: the relatively steeply slanted front cowl doesn’t look like it protudes more than the current mc, let alone the mcs. unless the new engine is a lot smaller to allow the required hood to engine space without a bigger nose, i don’t see how this can be real.</p>
<p>james- its funny you bring up the new GTi. I was just wondering if audi had something to say about the grill. and is it just me or does the silver concept in the gallery look like a tt.
P.S.- does anyone have anymore solid info on the AWD mini </p>
<p>no hood scoop for the S ? also unless mini is planning on making rally lights standard, they’ll have to do a hood like the second sketch</p>
<p>petsounds and ANTSMINI, </p>
<p>I have rattles ALL OVER the dash in my ’04 MCS. Above the speedo, above the glove box, the glove box door… </p>
<p>With less than 10,000 miles on the Cooper S, sometimes I wish I would have thrown down the extra bank and gone with an IS300. I was pretty close. Rattles in a car are like nails on a chalkboard in my mind, and it’s getting harder to tolerate them in my $27k investment. </p>
<p>Nate – rattles are unacceptable in any car, no matter the price. if you’re dealer won’t fix them I’d recommend you try another dealer. Mine has been great in fixing the couple I had. After three years I’ve got none to speak of.</p>
<p>The front end is a classic Aston Martin look and Will serve a purpose with air flow….99% of Mini dealers will try there best to fix rattles due to CSI ! lots of bad CSI stops the dealer getting bigger allocations in the future, so bad CSI scores mean less cars and less money.</p>