Reader John Schoettler gives us a brief synopsis on an article in the March issue of Motor Trend detailing the next MINI:
In the new March issue Motor Trend magazine it states the following on page 20:
“Design chief Gert Hildebrand regards these design cues as sacred: bug-eye headlamps, grille shape, clamshell hood with a central bulge. Headlamps fixed to fenders rather than integrated in hood to cut costs”
In the article it also stated the next-gen Mini will start production in late 06 as a 2007 model and an AWD version will come out a few years later and JCW is planning on getting the new engine up to 230HP. The article also stated that 4-door hatch will come out a year later while a next-gen convertible will be about 2 years later. The rear multilink suspension will also be simplified to allow for more wheel travel which will help create more rear seat space and will also make the ride smoother..
MotoringFile analysis: There’s really nothing new in this information we haven’t read or seen in photos before. However it’s nice to some confirmation mentioned by Mr. Hildebrand on a couple of items. Those that are convinced the next generation MINI will be less of a drivers car than the current MINI certainly will have some concerns based on the article. The idea of a “simplified” suspension can’t sit well with some. And any emphasis on a smoother ride certainly won’t win over the hardcore enthusiasts. But that being said I would imagine that the sportier versions of the MINI (the MCS and possibly a higher-end Cooper) will retain the same driving attributes we’ve all come to love. And you can add to that an engine that will be much more capable and a chassis that seemingly could accommodate AWD rather easily and you have something pretty special.
I would also expect to see a MINI concept car rolled out sometime during next year’s auto show circuit, possibly even in the form of a clubman 4 door. As is usually the case BMW likes to bring out concepts a year ahead of production that are thinly veiled versions of the final car. And as any MotoringFile reader will know BMW has been testing the waters and dropping hints about a 4 door MINI for quite some time.
<p>“The rear multilink suspension will also be simplified to allow for more wheel travel which will help create more rear seat space and will also make the ride smoother..”</p>
<p>NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!</p>
<p>Don’t do it!!!!</p>
<p>The fact that JCW is shooting for 230HP and if the article is correct the new rear suspension is being designed to incorporate AWD (maybe with a rear bias) so I have no doubt the next-Mini will handle better and be faster then the current car.</p>
<p>The only negative thing I see on the next-Mini is that it will most likely be more expensive.</p>
<p>I too read that article (while at the grocery store) and wondered if all the changes could create a better or worse MINI because the current MINI is a paradigm. </p>
<p>The new rear suspension will save space (which the car needs). The headlights will be integrated into the body instead of the bonnet to save cost (no more searchlight parties). I believe the article also mentioned that the new engine will be more efficient to help MINI/BMW with Europe’s new CAFE standard in 2008 (the current MINI is not fuel efficient for its size). These changes are troubling.</p>
<p>On the other hand I remember when Porsche made the switch from air-cooled to water-cooled motor for its “911”. People even complained that the new car did not look like a Porsche. But, as with all previous changes, the new Porsche outperformed the old in every way including fuel economy. Paul Frere of Road & Track even wrote that the new body style was better balanced than the old. It has taken many years, but even diehard 911 owners have admitted to the current model’s superiority.</p>
<p>As much as I love the present MINI I doubt BMW will ruin a good thing. The new car will be different, but perhaps for the better.</p>
<p>I am sure the new car will be all around better when its all said and done. However, a 4 door MINI ?!?! </p>
<p>Come on!</p>
<p>TJM</p>
<p>MINI has got to extend the brand if they are going to survive for the long haul. I would rather have an extended wheel base MINI with possibly two more small doors than a MINI SUV.</p>
<p>BMW’s brass has said it from the beginning: In order to ensure the long term survival of the MINI brand, new models and body styles should be introduced. MINI will not be able to sustain itself for the next 5+ years relying exclusively on a 3 door hatchback and a convertible. My wife and I are eagerly awaiting the 2008 MINI Traveller wagon 5 door. We both have a total dislike for today’s “socially acceptable” means of family haulers like SUVs and Minivans. We both love the MINI and all its attributes and would love to own a more practical version with better rear passenger/cargo room.</p>
<p>Tim, perhaps you need a memory refresher… The classic Mini was built from 1959-2000 (41 years) and during 4 decades the basic Issigonis design was offered in different variants: 2 door coupe (With separate trunk), Clubman station wagon, Clubman panel van and even a Mini Moke all terrain vehicle.</p>
<p>So Tim, Common on buddy!</p>
<p>The rear does not need more space. This is BMW thinking which ballooned the size of their 3-series to bloated, overweight proportions. No one who has climbed in the back of my MCS has failed to comment on how much more space there is in the back than they assumed there was. I’ve been on the fence about whether to sell my ’04 when the new design comes out for the benefits of the new engine, but if they’re going to start dumbing down the MINI for a wider audience as I feared, forget it. I’ll keep my ’04 and in 20 years collectors will be saying how ’02-’05 models are the most desirable. Only the AWD version could tempt me back.</p>
<p>As much as I’ll be sad to see the loss of the over-engineered rear suspension, I can’t say that it’s not suprising, due to, well, how over-engineered the current setup is.</p>
<p>I agree the rear does not need for space per se, however added leg/foot room and a bit more of shoulder room are always welcomed. The rear quarters of the MINI are indeed very comfortable. My father in law (6 feet and 225 pounds) rides very comfortably back there.</p>
<p>If a 5 door station wagon is ever offered, this would automatically imply a few more inches legroom and the always precious cargo room.</p>
<p>I believe a more family friendly variant of the MINI can be conceived without departing from the very same basic concepts that make the MINI such a special car to own and drive.</p>
<p>I think in these forums there is a certain unfounded “bias” against a vehicle with an extra pair of doors or anything that closely resembles a station wagon.</p>
<p>The BMW M5 is proof positive that you can have a vehicle with sports car demeanor while wearing “Family sedan” clothing.</p>
<p>I have never doubt BMW’s ability to keep the all important handling dynamics as part of the equation.</p>
<p>If the new design MINI will be a 2007 model, what will we get for 2006? A 2005 with minor changes? Anything as drastic as the hp and gearing changes between 04 and 05?</p>
<p>People have said that they have a lot of faith in BMW to not screw up important features. I’d be more patient since BMW has alienated a lot of customers with its newest designs.</p>
<p>All of that said and asked, I think that that drawing looks pretty mean. Not sure about the two-colored front bumper, but the drawing definitely shows more of an evolution than a revolution.</p>
<p>mb</p>
<p>I saw that Automobile magazine this month had an article about the next generation MINI products, most had been mentioned here already, but it sounded like they were pretty confident that a longer car was coming, possibly a four door, and a crossover SUV at least as a concept.</p>
<p>I’m curious to see how they manage the production line in Oxford when the new MINI comes out. If the convertible won’t be changing for a year or two after the new hardtop appears, won’t they need to support a very mixed production environment? I can’t wait to see all the posts of people with mixed parts from one model or another. :)</p>
<p>Frank – I’m not saying that the back of the MINI is a Cadillac. It is what it is – a small sports hatch, with a long heritage of space optimization and efficiency. The back honestly has about as much legroom and space as my ’99 A4 had. I just see no need to modify the suspension system for the sake of luxury. I think they were going to extend the length of the car anyway, and they’re using this as an excuse to make the car less costly to produce.</p>
<p>I agree with you about the sports wagon. I love the A4 wagons, and I have no problem with BMW coming out with a MINI wagon. I just don’t want them to mess with the Cooper S. Are they going to make it so that you <em>have</em> to buy the JCW package to get enthusiast performance levels? I’m not sure that would be a smart move, considering they’re going to have competition with the Audi A3.</p>
<p>indimini.. I already had one in my ’02 MCS. The driver’s side trim along the bottom was the MCS style (bulged out), and the passenger side was the MC style (rounded)…</p>