From MINI Press:
MINI Concept Frankfurt: The Joy of Travelling.
Now in the Early 21st Century.
Unusual, agile, clever from the very beginning Mini was the ideal companion for the genuine trendsetter. And ever since the early ’60s, sporting outdoor activities, the opportunity to drive out to the country together with friends, and the joy of travelling became an increasingly important highlight of modern life. So with its extended wheelbase, the slightly rising roofline, and practical rear doors, the Mini Traveller was exactly the right companion combining the unique style of the chic Mini with extra space and practical value to ensure superior joy of travelling at all times.
Precisely 45 years after the launch of the Mini Traveller in September 1960, MINI is presenting the MINI Concept Frankfurt at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, a design study re-interpreting the fundamental philosophy of the nimble little Traveller from Great Britain in the most emotional style of the early 21st century. And indeed, while many features of the car appear familiar, the truth is that everything is new: The unique overall look of the car is typical of MINI all the way, with its characteristic front end, side view and numerous design features already widely lauded as genuine icons.
Various innovations both inside and outside are also typical of MINI, for example the wide-opening doors with their intelligent parallelogram kinematics as well as the coupe-like look of the car without a B-pillar. A further highlight of the Mini Concept Frankfurt is the new Silver Metallic paintwork further enhanced by exquisite materials inside the car. And last but certainly not least, Mini Concept Frankfurt pays tribute to its forefather inter alia through its elegant Estate design featuring a symmetrically split double door at the rear as well as split side windows for the passengers sitting in the second row.
A major feature of MINI Concept Frankfurt is that all the functions presented serve a specific purpose, with all design highlights being refined to the last detail. Indeed, even the very name of the car has a special meaning, the roots of MINI lying in an urban lifestyle and with every issue of the MINI International Magazine being dedicated precisely for this reason to an exciting, fast-moving city in our modern world. At the same time Mini Concept Frankfurt is an homage to the host and venue of the Frankfurt Motor Show, where the prototype of the new MINI was presented to a small group of journalists for the first time back in 1997.
Travelling in Style: Small but Luxurious for Distances Short and Far.
New Surfaces and Materials for MINI Concept Frankfurt.
Satellite Silver with multi-layer exterior paintwork intermingling in silver and grey, white leather with various surfaces and a unique touch, innovative glass-fibre texture on the interior door linings and panels, as well as a metallic carbon look within the footwells all this clearly bears testimony to travelling in style with MINI in the early 21st century. Indeed, “travelling in style” means an exceptional ambience and clever use of space presented authentically by MINI in the guise of MINI Concept Frankfurt.Like the classic Mini Traveller, the MINI Concept on display at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show is designed and conceived to offer generous, luxurious and stylish motoring qualities for up to four travellers in their sports and leisure-time activities. This superiority is based on new concepts for the use of space ranging from the Cargobox in the luggage compartment all the way to the free-hanging driver and front passenger seats.
Unmistakable: MINI All the Way.
Just one look is sufficient: Just like the “regular” model, the Concept Version of the MINI is “as small as possible and as big as necessary”. And particularly this was the special challenge facing the MINI Design Team, with MINI Concept Frankfurt being a truly unique car all the way from its characteristic hexagon grille to the very functional split-door rear end.MINI Concept Frankfurt naturally boasts numerous highlights which have made MINI design a genuine hallmark in the course of many years and decades: These include the straight shoulder and roof lines with the shoulder line rising up gently to the rear to give the car the exciting wedge shape of a genuine MINI further accentuated especially on this model by the extra length of the car.
The wheels positioned far to the outside, the very wide (more than 160 cm or 63.0″ long) driver and front passenger doors relative to the overall length of the car, and the characteristic joints around the side direction indicators all bear out the enhanced, upgraded design language so characteristic of MINI Concept Frankfurt.
The diagonal joint between the side direction indicator and the side door is a genuine icon which has developed consistently over the years, originating from the welding seam of the classic MINI. The glazed window line extending all round the car and the omission of a B-pillar creates the impression of a “free-standing” roof again characterising the Concept Car just like the door handles typical of MINI.
Firm, Sporting, Masculine.
Many features of MINI Concept Frankfurt are familiar but in actual fact everything is different: In its overall look and appearance, the car is firm, sleek and smooth, with features such as the wheel arches, the shoulder line and the powerdome standing out as particularly striking details. At very first sight, MINI Concept Frankfurt makes a clear statement the car has stance, looks muscular and elegant all in one. This impressive appearance is further accentuated by the headlights integrated directly in the engine compartment lid and by the hexagonal grille sculptured in one single piece to give the Concept Version a particularly alert, performance-oriented, likeable and charming appearance.This sporting look is further enhanced by the engine compartment lid hinged at the front, the wheel arches and radiator grille forming one homogeneous component without any seams or dividing lines in between. And like on a classic sports car, the engine compartment lid swivels to the front and upwards when opening, with only the headlights remaining in their original position.
The discerning individual obviously wishes not only to travel in style, but also to enjoy the experience of motoring. So to ensure perfect harmony of looks and performance, MINI Concept Frankfurt comes with a MINI Cooper S power unit clearly characterised by the additional air intake scoop on the engine compartment lid and the dual tailpipes. Further ingredients ensuring that go-kart feeling so typical of MINI are the long wheelbase, the wide track, short overhangs at the front and rear, as well as the muscular engine already mentioned.
MINI Concept Frankfurt Opening up at the Left, Right, Rear and Top.
All Doors with Parallelogram Kinematics.
Extra space inside naturally calls for good access from outside. Ensuring easy access and loading was therefore one of the fundamental philosophies in developing MINI Concept Frankfurt. And through the driver and front passenger doors as well as the two rear doors, MINI is introducing a design configuration simply ideal for much easier and more convenient entry to and exit from the car, as well as better loading and unloading even under confined conditions: All four doors run on “intelligent” hinges and pivots in kinematic parallelogram arrangement, the doors swivelling in one single motion with minimum movement to the side and maximum movement to the front. This significantly reduces the space required all around the car when opening the doors while nevertheless offering the user generous access to the interior.
Coupe-Like Appearance for Convenient Access.
Long Side Doors, no B-Pillar, Split Side Windows at the Rear.
Through their parallelogram kinematics, the long coupe doors turn the occasional disadvantage of a smaller opening angle into a significant advantage ensured by the concept of the car especially because the side doors on this design concept are more than 160 centimetres or 63.0″ wide. And a further important point is that the side doors, like on every MINI, come with frameless windows.
MINI’s new cosmopolitan athlete takes up the elements of a two-door coupe also in many other respects, at the same time offering particular practical value through easy access and loading. The omission of the B-pillar, for example, is a genuine eye-catcher emphasising the dynamic all-round appearance of MINI Concept Frankfurt.A further highlight is the two split side windows at the rear merging directly when closed with the side windows at the front and with the front section moving electrically beneath the rear section when opened. This principle of split windows at the rear incidentally comes straight from the classic Mini Traveller and has been re-interpreted on the MINI Concept Frankfurt. Without the usual B-pillar and with its windows opened completely at the front and rear, MINI Concept Frankfurt ensures a particular impression of style and generosity otherwise to be found only on a coupe or convertible. Indeed, the omission of a B-pillar allows much easier and more comfortable access to the rear seats of the car.
Longer Wheelbase for Extra Space Inside. The Cargobox a “Butler” within the Luggage Compartment.
MINI Concept Frankfurt quite simply offers more space for spontaneous decisions for example when going on an excursion at the spur of the moment. The long wheelbase, for example, guarantees particularly ample space on the rear seats of the car. An important contribution to the excellent driving characteristics so typical of MINI, on the other hand, is the particular position of the wheels “right at each corner”. Deliberately maintaining this important feature so typical of the brand, MINI Concept Frankfurt like all other MINIs boasts an extra-short and compact body overhang at the rear. And last but certainly not least, the two wide-opening rear doors hinged at the side make loading and unloading very easy and convenient.Behind these doors MINI Concept Frankfurt takes up items loaded into the car with the same convenience provided by the Cargobox, a very helpful “butler” for handling both small bags and big cases. Just one feature is that the floor can be pulled out to the rear, enabling the driver to simply put down his or her bags and smoothly return the floor panel into the car. A further feature is that the floor of the Cargobox may be swivelled up, serving as a partition between the passenger compartment and the luggage area. Fully retractable, frameless windows in both rear doors serve finally to provide extra fresh air and again allow convenient access to the luggage compartment without requiring the driver to even open the doors.
All Good News Comes from Above.
The sunroof extending throughout almost the entire roof area from front to rear is a particularly significant fun feature in the MINI Concept Frankfurt, offering the passengers a wonderful feeling of space and generosity with the sun and the lights of the big city brightening up the interior.Again taking up the philosophy of using space intelligently, the Design Study offers convenient access to the interior also through the sunroof: With the rear section of the roof opening up in full, the occupants of the car enjoy not only fresh air, but also practical qualities, for example when loading a kiteboard with maximum ease from above. Indeed, this not only looks cool, but is also very practical and avoids obstruction in road traffic, with long objects extending out of the roof and not the rear end of the car.
Purist Looks with a Unique “Chameleon” Effect: Surface Trim in the MINI Concept Frankfurt.
MINI Concept Frankfurt takes a new approach not only in its technical and functional highlights, but also through the design of its trim surfaces specially created by the MINI Design Team: In all, the exclusive combination of white and silver surfaces emanates a touch of modern elegance without in any way appearing overdone or let alone obtrusive, since the emphasis remains on those specific qualities so typical of MINI.This intentionally minimalist understatement and neutral style is enhanced, first, by the exceptional quality and innovative character of the materials used and, second, by the exterior colour changing with the perspective of the beholder and reflecting the surrounding area around the car. As a result, MINI Concept Frankfurt is almost like a chameleon, acting as both an element and the highlight of the colourful world typically surrounding every MINI.
Satellite Silver Paintwork Colour.
The paintwork of the MINI Concept Study offers an entirely new rendition of aesthetic looks, an exciting duality of non-metallic and metallic paint: Satellite Silver comes with a brilliant silver look in the light, while all points not directly illuminated from the perspective of the beholder come out in a refined and sophisticated greyish tone. MINI achieves this special effect by way of the Silver Metallic paintwork applied in two layers, the colours of each layer varying slightly from one another.
Black Neoprene Contour.
Normally surfers and sailors wear neoprene suits to protect themselves from cold temperatuares. MINI Concept Frankfurt, in turn, uses neoprene to maintain the special touch and feeling of its surfaces also on the exterior.Through its special qualities and properties, neoprene offers several exciting effects all in one: The first point is that the sophisticated, silken-matt surface contrasts beautifully with the high-gloss Satellite Silver of the car’s body, with similar, distinctive contrasts between the hard surface of the doors and wheel arches, on the one hand, and the soft structure of the neoprene contour, on the other: The neoprene returns after being pressed in or touched to its original shape, at the same time offering a unique feel never experienced before in the world of motoring. So choosing this material clearly dedicated to active outdoor sports, the designers creating MINI Concept Frankfurt are again able to accentuate the car’s sporting appeal.
Aluminum Adding a Touch of Lightness and Sophisticated Style.
Glossy and matt aluminium accentuates the exterior look of MINI Concept Frankfurt, conveying a very special message in the process. This applies particularly to all sections and components of the body taking over design features from the classic Mini Traveller. As an example, the C-pillars in striking aluminium look at the rear bear testimony to the car’s great heritage. The radiator grille, the light surrounds at the front as well asa the exhaust tailpipes are also finished in aluminium, emanating a touch of high performance combined with sheer luxury.
MINI All the Day and for Every Purpose. “Floating Elements” Characterising the Car’s Interior Design.
Querying the conventional and offering unconventional answers proceeding from a high level of technology and emotion, MINI Concept Frankfurt reflects precisely these expectations. And this also applies to the interior design of the MINI Concept Car. Offering ergonomics at ist best, MINI Concept Frankfurt provides an entirely new experience of space with clever solutions for constantly new ideas to be experienced and enjoyed with MINI at all times and wherever you go.The car’s concept of colours and materials consistently continues the exterior message within the interior, focusing on function, practical use of space and genuine value. Clearly, this makes MINI the small and fresh luxury experience for the whole day giving each and every day that special something.
Precisely this is why many features of MINI’s interior design are also to be found in the Concept Car, from the evolutionary enhancement of the large central instrument through paddle switches so typical of MINI all the way to the far larger door panels on the driver’s and front passenger’s doors in their characteristic, elliptic shape: The joy of detail remains clearly in focus, with new features borne out time and again.
“Hovering” Seats for the Driver and Front Passenger.
Free-Standing Suspension and Integrated Belt System.
Opening the driver’s and front passenger’s doors, the enthusiast enjoying MINI Concept Frankfurt will immediately experience a truly generous and open impression: The seats for both the driver and passenger appear to hover in space, being mounted directly on the front centre console by means of special load-bearing extensions. This not only offers additional footroom for the passengers at the rear, but also provides particular benefits in terms of open space along the floor of the car.This impression is further enhanced by the slender construction of the seats basically reduced to two buckets similar to an open shell. To make access to the car as easy and convenient as possible also for the passengers at the rear, the front seats come with an unprecedented, truly unique Easy-Entry System, the seats moving forward with the help of an electric motor and at the same time rotating inwards. Turning away (but not folding down) the backrest on the driver’s and front passenger’s seats, this provides much more room and freedom in entering the rear. Then, once the passengers have taken their seats at the back, the front seats automatically return to their original position.
As a further feature the driver’s and front passenger’s seats come with a fully integrated seat belt system, consistently keeping the belts exactly where they are needed and avoiding any obstruction when entering the rear.
Room for Sitting Comfortably and Loading Conveniently also at the Rear.
The long wheelbase of the car gives two passengers at the rear adequate space in every respect, making MINI Concept Frankfurt a genuine four-seater. The rear-seat backrests fold down individually to form a flat surface flush with the floor of the luggage compartment. This facilitates the process of loading the car from all sides, either through the rear doors or the driver/front passenger doors, with the further advantage of being able to conveniently move around and place bags and objects in position.The extra-large and flat loading area also provides ample space for large and bulky objects, the centre armrest between the two seats being fully integrated in the flat surface and offering additional storage space.
Opening up extra-wide, the two rear doors provide convenient access to almost the complete cross-section of the interior, with the loading sill kept particularly low, again in the interest of extra convenience. And even with the two rear-seat backrests in vertical arrangement, the passengers enjoy a loading capacity most acceptable for a car of this size.
The Cupholders: Everything in Easy Reach and at a Pleasant Temperature.
Two things which certainly would not mean “travelling in style” are luke-warm Coke and luke-warm tea which is precisely why MINI Concept Frankfurt offers the right solution also for ideal “on-board service”: The chrome surrounds on the side air vents fold down to form cupholders at exactly the right point in the car: First, this keeps drinks within very convenient reach at all times. Second, this keeps your Coke cool on a hot day with fresh air from the air conditioning flowing straight to the cupholders. And on cold winter days the warm air coming out of the nozzles serves not only to de-mist the side windows, but also to keep your tea at a pleasantly warm temperature.
Only the Best Inside. Leather, Chrome, Aluminium the Principal Materials.
Inside the car, white leather enhances the flair of modern style and the ample space available, creating a sophisticated ambience at the same time. Indeed, the colour white quite generally accentuates the clear lines of MINI Concept Frankfurt.Top-quality leather is used on three diffferent surfaces: Grained cowhide accentuates the headrests as well as the inner lining on the side and rear doors. Through its clear surface structure, this special leather conveys a feeling of lasting, sporting quality and contrasts convincingly with the soft leather featured on the seat backrests and the steering wheel. And last but not least, the roof lining comes in extra-soft alcantara providing a feeling of smooth silk.
Particularly soft and “velvety” leather featured on the dashboard almost hovering in position and on the armrests on the side doors is highly attractive in terms of both its looks and surface touch, its white colour once again conveying a feeling of luxury and imagination. The soft and natural surfaces in pure white supplemented by cool-looking, metallic surface trim. One example is the aluminium-coated glass-fibre structure on the oval lining within the doors, carbon-fibre in the same look accentuating the footwells.
Numerous further features within the interior are made of solid aluminium. The circular instruments and air vents, in turn, are adorned by high-gloss chrome rings. On the seats, finally, the load-bearing arms come with a matt-brushed surface providing a particularly stylish touch.
The 1960 Mini Traveller. The Expression of a New, Mobile and Active Lifestyle.
The four-seater Mini Estate offering an enlarged luggage compartment made its debut in September 1960 as the Austin Seven Countryman and the Morris Mini Traveller. The term “Traveller” used in conjunction with the Mini clearly indicates that this model was targeted at a group of customers enjoying an active lifestyle quite new and unprecented at the time.Apart from the typical elements and highlights of Mini design as well as the two doors at the rear, these special versions of the Mini remain in our memory to this day through their wooden sideboards extending all the way back at the outside from the B-pillar. Starting in 1961, the Morris Mini Traveller was also available without this woodwork in foreign markets outside of Great Britain, with this “no-wood” option being introduced in the Mini Traveller’s home market in 1962. In 1969 the Mini Clubman Estate replaced the Traveller and Countryman, total production of the Mini Estate under all model designations amounting to more than 400,000 units between 1960 and 1982.
In technical terms the Mini Estate was based on the two-seater Mini Van launched in January 1960. Compared with the Mini Saloon, that is the original Mini, exterior length was up from 3,050 to 3,300 mm (120.1″ to 129.9″), with the car’s wheelbase extended by 110 mm or 4.33″ to 2140 mm or 84.3″, while the roofline was 10 mm or almost 0.4″ higher.
With its reinforced suspension and higher loading capacity, the Mini Traveller met all the demands made of an elegant transporter at the time, with go-kart-like driving characteristics ensuring the highest conceivable standard of agility in the market. Starting in 1961, finally, a Mini Pick-Up was also offered on the same technical basis.
To view a full gallery of the MINI Frankfurt Concept, follow the link below:
[ 2005 MINI Frankfurt Concept ] MotoringFile
<p>I LOVE THIS CAR. PERIOD.</p>
<p>absolutely outstanding design. i have 1 criticism of the headlights and that’s it, they need to be more round and less ‘surprised.’</p>
<p>I think this is Awesome!!!! It gives me hope for the next generation MINI. I have not cared for any of the changes made on the ’05 models and have been worried about the images we have seen of the ’07 redo but if the is direction things are heading then I’ll be very happy.</p>
<p>I’d buy one of these in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>If Aston Martins and Land Rovers were dogs this would be their puppy. So Cute!</p>
<p>I like it. It’s growing on me every time I look at it.</p>
<p>I hope it performs well.</p>
<p>Oh I’ve been <strong> WAITING FOR THIS ONE </strong> for three years now!</p>
<p>My ’03 S has 91+K miles on it and I KNOW I could use the extra space the new Traveller provides!</p>
<p>PLEASE make it available in the US at the same time it’s introduced in Europe!!!! I’ll have a deposit at my dealer’s this afternoon!!!!</p>
<p>Very impressive indeed. I kinda like the cupholder idea. Any ideas as to what the silver “tab” thingies are on the back of the front seats?</p>
<p>seriously. i’ve been contemplating an Audi A3 because BMW refuses to bring the 1-series stateside. if this comes quick enough i’ll likely buy it instead.</p>
<p>:drool:</p>
<p>What a fantastic looking car! Would be cool if they could go from concept to production and still make it look very close to this.</p>
<p>I’m going to go get in line now…</p>
<blockquote>
<p>absolutely outstanding design. i have 1 criticism of the headlights and that’s it, they need to be more round and less ‘surprised.’</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I have a sneaking suspicion that the final product will be closer to the sketch at the very top of this article rather than the actual concept car.</p>
<p>Has it occured to anyone that the sketch at the top of the post actually looks like an in-between between the current Mini and the concept? Headlights are more round, doors are not so extravagant. In a (well, two) word: less extreme. Maybe the sketch is more what the production version will be like?</p>
<p>Erm, yes it did, in fact, and who else but to Gabe :)</p>
<p>Did someone say “Cute”? I’m sure we’ll never get that awesome paint, Butler, or the neoprene. Hopefully, we won’t get the Buck Rodgers dash or the startled headlights. </p>
<p>So, The headlights play peek-a-boo just like the tail lights? Cool!</p>
<p>Can’t wait to put my order in. (But it has to be a 5-door wagon)</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_frankfurt/mini/pages/01.htm">Autoweek has added more photos of the concept to their gallery</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Has it occured to anyone that the sketch at the top of the post actually looks like an in-between between the current Mini and the concept? Headlights are more round, doors are not so extravagant. In a (well, two) word: less extreme. Maybe the sketch is more what the production version will be like?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Yes – this is classic BMW. Get just a little crazy with the concept and then keep the shape but tone down the more extreme features for the production car. Mark my words… this is exactly what MINI will do when they release this for the ’08 model year.</p>
<p>Perfect for the two MINI family. Bye bye Ford Escape hello MINI Traveler</p>
<p>I have one two words: </p>
<p>DIESEL PLEASE!</p>
<p>It’s growing on me something awful too! The longer wheel base will give it a little more comfortable ride (in theory). If it’s not significantly heavier than the MCS, it’s super tempting. I’m just not crazy about the new turbo powerplant.</p>
<p>“this is exactly what MINI will do when they release this for the ’08 model year.”</p>
<p>Does that mean there will be another year 07, in the current version?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Does that mean there will be another year 07, in the current version?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>No. The R56 (next generation MINI) will be introduced next fall as an ’07 in standard three door hatch form.</p>
<p>Overall the Concept doesn’t look bad. The sketch version also looks nice. The things I don’t care for:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The Center Console/Radio/CD/Speedo – HATE It! Plain and simple, it’s ugly. To “artistic” futuristic design.</p></li>
<li><p>The sunroof. To long. That is one reason I didn’t get the sunroof for my ’04. The Glass roof covers 3/5ths of the roof. Too much. I would have preferred more of a “moon roof” where it’s only over the front driver/passenger area. </p></li>
<li><p>The headlights on the Concept picture.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>In the Concept picture model, I can’t see any door pockets? IMO Mini should incorporate the Lexus LS430 style door storage. </p>
<p>Not to sure about the overhead toggle switches on the headliner. I don’t know if toggle type switches fit into the look?</p>
<p>I wonder how much more the Traveler will cost over the base Coupe?</p>
<p>“No. The R56 (next generation MINI) will be introduced next fall as an ’07 in standard three door hatch form.</p>
<p>Thanks Gabe. Any idea how late into this model year someone could place an order for the 06?</p>
<p>Well if they tone it down a little I think it’s a winner! I was thinking of a Mazda3 in a few years…this new MINI might make us a two MINI family!</p>
<p>Dig it, ATTN BMW USA- Bring it over ASAP… With a future fiance’ in the works, she always says “if your car just had a little more room”. </p>
<p>Now there would be no excuses not to have a Mini once again 🙂 Would be about perfect timing for replacement of my 2004 MCS…</p>
<p>Personally I like the old rear hatch better than the two doors idea. The nice part about it is the fact it acts like an umbrella when it rains. This looks like they want you to get water in the car when you unload from a trip to the grocery store. The doors is nice for the big SUVs instead of the tailgate so you can reach farther into the rear. The style is growing on me though. The interesting part is the comments here on motoringfile versus the comments on North American Motoring. Gabe, You did a great job selling this new design to the public!</p>
<p>I have to say the drawing above looks better then the photos below it. But its a concept car, so I take it as such. I like the idea, can’t wait to see how the bang it all out in the end. And by 2010 I should be ready for another MINI. =)</p>
<p>I’m sure I’d like owning and driving this wagon. I’m hoping it isn’t too much longer than my 2005 Mini. I’m also hoping the mileage meets or exceeds the 29 to 35 mpg I’ve been getting. Finally, I’d really like it if it was an electric or a pluggable hybrid.</p>
<p>Interesting, like very much. Don’t like the toggle switches on the headliner.</p>
<p>Be curious to see if the “floating” seats make it to production, I wonder how viable they are to pass crash test requirements?</p>
<p>I sure hope they boost horsepower on that model to lug around that extra weight.</p>
<p>Hola a todos! Let’s hope they design the roof to incorporate a proper rack attachment system. This is a huge drawback of the current MINI, and would be even more glaring on a wagon.</p>
<p>With the benefit of a FWD configuration, they need to add a 60/40 rear bench seat as an option so you can seat five people. Everyone loves to ride in my 02 MCS. However, it happens on occasion when we all go to a movie that the kids will start for the MINI until I (regretfully) tell them we have to ride in the van! </p>
<p>Seat 5 or I have to have another car… :(</p>
<p>Greg</p>
<p>Hi Gabe,
Will the interior design be more classical, I mean no-surprise for 2007 production model?
Or you are seeing the picture shown here is the actual 2007 MINI’s….</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Hi Gabe, Will the interior design be more classical, I mean no-surprise for 2007 production model? Or you are seeing the picture shown here is the actual 2007 MINI’s….</p>
</blockquote>
<p>If you’ve read MotoringFIle <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2005/03/20/next_generation_mini_revealed">Next Generation MINI Revealed Story</a> from last March then you’ve essentially seen a rough look at the new interior. As you can plainly see in this concept, the designers have taken the interior in those previous leaked mock-ups and went very high-end and a bit more futuristic. So the short answer is – if you want to know what the next generation MINI will be like, read MotoringFile’s <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2005/03/20/next_generation_mini_revealed">Next Generation MINI Revealed</a>. We reveal everything from the toggle switches on the headliner to the speedo-mounted navigation (not seen in the pics above)</p>
<p>The big moonroof is nice, but it’s a bummer that they can’t open. </p>
<p>One funny thing. Imagine the car with the windows and the top rear hatch open. If there is any loose papers in the car it will surely go flying.</p>
<p>THX for clarification, Gabe.
I thought they updated any design since then; tube-less center cosole, seat, etc..</p>
<p>WHERE’S THE LIGHTWEIGHT????????</p>
<p>please</p>
<p>I just have to say,</p>
<p>I want one.</p>
<p>BUT</p>
<p>Shouldn’t the C pillars (the very back ones) be black? Isn’t that what makes the concept of the “floating roof” ?</p>
<p>The front and back should be the same, either both floating roof, or both silver</p>
<p>LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the “floating” design elements but I hate the headlamps… I only hope that the seats remain as adjustable up & down as well as front to back. I’m really sold on this model even though some elements are better than others.</p>
<p>IMHO, they should definitely keep:
Floating, retractable roof, retractable glass in rear, extra long front windows, huge sunroof, door hinges that open more without opening out more, all the chrome possible, rear boot box, suede looking headliner, front Traveller/Countryman badge!, all that floor space!</p>
<p>IMHO, they should definitely lose: funky headlamps, heavy looking rear pillars, snub nose, windshield tilt, and tail lamps.</p>
<p>I hope that sunroof can at least pop up for air…</p>
<p>I agree with Mike. that’s the biggest disconnect between the current model and this wagon concept, exterior design-wise.</p>
<p>A</p>
<p>Yolanda said: Let’s hope they design the roof to incorporate a proper rack attachment system.</p>
<p>I have an ’02 with the roof rack that’s drilled into the frame. I think it’s the best roof rack I’ve ever seen. No other car has such a rock-solid, stable roof rack that can be removed. Keep that feature as is, IMHO – don’t mess with near perfection!</p>
<p>love the front and rear ends, and the interior is to die for. dashboard is super modern and seems really eye-catching from a drivers point of view- very simple kinda like a lotus elise cockpit. but the idea of a long wheelbase mini just isnt sitting right with me. sure it will be a more comforting ride but i dont think it will handle as good as a current mini. all in all i would like to see what a regular mini cooper s would look with the current wheelbase, british racing green, rally stripes and a second generation aero kit</p>
<p>id also like to add that as im looking at it now the sketch on top is closer to how id perfer</p>
<p>can I get on the ” LIST ” now?… i figure by the them it gets released,, Ill end up hearing about it too late and have to wait an other couple years</p>
<p>Would be cool if they made it 4 Wheel Drive 😛 Might get the attention of some Jeep folks</p>
<p>Ah, that’s why Royal Grey looked familiar – it’s Payne’s gray, metallicized.</p>
<p>This looks like a (well-to-do)surfer/kayaker’s dream vehicle. That rear-opening roof means you can let long objects stick out the back instead of having to mess around with tying them down on a rack. I suspect I’m going to be trading my ’06 MCS in on one of these bad boys when they hit the market. I wonder what the floorspace is in the cargo area with the rear seats folded down.</p>
<p>BTW, I agree with Deborah(aka NekoWoman) about the rack. There’s nothing flimsy about the Mini Rack – it’s the best and strongest removable rack I’ve ever seen.</p>
<p>The picture looking in through the driver’s window seems to show an iDrive joystick. BMW drivers have been very unhappy with the idrive, lets hope they don’t take away our valuable mint-holding space to hold one.</p>
<p>Adam – take a look at the MotoringFIle article from last March: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2005/03/20/next_generation_mini_revealed">The Next Generation Revealed</a> for a detailed look at the next MINI (including it’s new interior). The short answer is yes.. it will be an option.</p>
<p>And for what it’s worth… most that I know actually love it once they know the learn the menus.</p>
<p>the mini traveller looks a lot like the mini version of the porsche cayanne. The headlights is a bit too long, it should stand up more. And I hope the mini traveller comes with a woody kit.</p>
<p>Here’s a question: how would one check the oil on this car?</p>
<p>Can anyone clarify when we should see a topless R56?</p>
<p>If I was looking to by an convertible after the release of the R56, would MINI still be selling the current bodystyle convertibles?</p>
<p>Has there been any firming up of the rumors about a R56 speedster?</p>
<p>thanks!!</p>
<p>I guess I get confused by model/calendar year dates. What I really want to know is…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=106925" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=106925</a></p>
<p>After looking at the above link… What is the current wisdom on when I could reasonably expect to take delivery on a R56 speedster, and when would it be possible to put a deposit at my local dealer? Six months out, one year out???</p>
<p>When can I have one, my husband wants my current Mini and I won’t give it up until I can get this one. I can’t wait!!!!!</p>
<p>as nike would say… JUST DO IT!!!!!</p>
<p>MUST…OWN…WOODY…TRAVELLER….MUST….OWN…WOODY…TRAVELLER…MUST…OWN…WOODY…TRAVELLER….MUST….OWN…WOODY…TRAVELLER…MUST…OWN…</p>
<p>Can you just see this baby on “Pimp My Ride”? 22 inch rims, checkerboard and flame paintjob, turbo tuned to 300 hp..</p>
This is my dream car please hurry up and get it out there. Can it be a hybrid please say yes!!! I love everything about it the seast are fantastic. Thank you very Avengers!
I will trade my award winning 1964 Austin Mini Van for one of these. Check it out at
<a href="http://www.mini-cooper1.com/minicooper2.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mini-cooper1.com/minicooper2.html</a>
Dealers, contact me…!
What an unmitigated disaster. I don’t believe Mr. Stephensen would approve. The original Mini lasted for over 40 years, substantially unchanged. BMW hasn’t had the current version on the streets for five years, and they are crazy to change as much as they can. Of course times change, and the competitive market is different, as well as the public’s tolerace for consistency very limited, but– this is not a good sign. No charm at all to the interior, all gimmickry in terms of looks, and that will get “old” much quicker than BMW expects. I am on my second MINI, and don’t really be able to expect to afford to replace my ’05 this year, and the late summer of 2006 will be the last time I can get my hands on a current model. So I expect this will be my last, and that is a shame.
Peter – I’ve actually talked with Mr. Stephenson about this and he seemed impressed with the direction of the new MINI design team.
it looks WAY too much like a pt cruiser!!! ugh! yuck!1
how much do those wheels cost what is their price
Love it! I want one, when can I sign up?
perfect
very very biutiful . . . . . . . .
completely useless!!! BMW have now destroyed the name MINI!!! this thing is has nothing mini about it! its like a tank! AUSTIN shud be the only people that are allowed 2 make minis!!!