It was sitting on the production floor next to a current bodyshell and I was the only one on the tour who noticed it as being different. It was easy to spot because of the wraparound shaped headlight openings in the hood. The openings for the rear taillights were much wider than the current car, and the wider rear hips (or shoulders) were also noticeable. No big news there if you’ve been following the R56, but it was exciting to see one. I had a minute or so by myself to look over the body and my overall impression was favorable.

They aren’t doing daytime tours now. Our tour was at 7pm in the evening because they didn’t want us to see production of the new R56 which is already being built in small numbers alongside the current MINI during the day. Off the record, one of the tour guides told me the occasional R56 model ran down the bodyshell production line during the day interspersed with the current MINI models (just like a convertible or hardtop version of the current car comes down the line intermittently). I was surprised the production line could handle a new model mixed in with the old ones, but he said the robots were programmed to handle it with no problem. The guides pointed to a new building there that was dedicated to the final R56 assembly which is to run faster than the current production line, helping increase annual production and reduce the customer waiting times for a new MINI. They said these R56 bodyshells being produced now were for evaluation purposes. I guess that means sorting out the new assembly process before the line goes “live“. They also said they would ramp up R56 production in July so as to supply dealerships with demo cars when the new model is launched in September.

Any word on a non-metallic BRG or a metallic red?

No I agree! There’s a mildly awful looking black piece of plastic instead. As far as I know all of the plasics (including arch extensions or “spats” as they’re known locally)are still under development, which is why they have a smooth appearance at the moment. Grained pieces are starting to trickle through now, as all of the press and “photo” cars are currently being built – about 5 a day now! September seems so far away Lol!

“undisguised” is not a word.

It seems the Europeans (German car Mfg) are going towards a “No buttons – all high tech” type controls. IMHO most Americans still want buttons and knobs (I certainly do). I could live with a balance but from the pictures I’ve seen here, the 2007 Mini will have very little of that.

Because of that, I will not be a return customer to buy a 2007/08/09 etc Mini. I guess I’ll have to wait 5 yrs (standard number of years) before the next Gen Mini comes out.

IMO I think Mini made a mistake in going with the intergation style. I guess time will tell.

Sorry if I wasn’t clear. All I was saying was the GTI doesn’t have a scoop, not that it doesn’t have an intercooler. With a lower output turbo, perhaps the MC does have an intercooler tucked behind the lower grille. From the shots I have seen so far it’s too hard to tell though.

I have a feeling that silver turn signal bulbs are going to be on the must-buy lists of R56 buyers when this car comes out……….

100% agreement on that. Hopefully they are PY21W so we can get Philips Silver Vision Bulbs.

When features on a MINI begin to look like everything else on the road – that’s when you know the end is near!! (just kidding)

I have a feeling that silver turn signal bulbs are going to be on the must-buy lists of R56 buyers when this car comes out……….