Sections: R56 (Coupe) Jul 19th, 2006 46 Comments We’ve got another R56 related scoop for you today. MotoringFile reader David V. spotted two well broken in 2007 Cooper and Cooper S mules doing some hot weather testing in Death Valley California recently. While they’re essentially the same type of testing mules we’ve seen many times over, these photos give a “real world” impression of the cars that we’ve rarely seen. They also allow you to see some of those new 2007 details quite clearly despite the black tape. You know the drill – click to zoom:
And if you really want to take a close look, start clicking below on the really big versions:
R56 Cooper S (1) / R56 Cooper S (2) / R56 Cooper S (3)
R56 Cooper (4) / R56 Cooper (5)
WingNut Jul 19th, 2006 Link
The doors (even the little gas lid) are matte colored like they have masking completely covering them… or are just painted with primer, weird.
I still think the new 07 will be released covered in tape. Just wait, I’ll be right. Think about it, every spy shot shows it covered in tape! This must be a new feature!
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Jon Jul 19th, 2006 Link
What interests me is as I look at the car I see that it has a set of JCW 18″ star spokes on, kinda makes me wonder if it had something else under the bonnet. I see the wheel reflectors are centered which I have to say I like, also much smaller that the current reflectors.
Great job David for capturing the shots and thanks to you Gabe for getting them out to the rest of us.
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Aqualung Jul 19th, 2006 Link
I’ll be curious if the C pillar is really that wide, tape notwithstanding. Could have an impact on rear visibility, but probably not as bad as the convertible :-)
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jason Jul 19th, 2006 Link
I really dig the slat grille. Also, to me the front overhang doesn’t look that severe.
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eto Jul 19th, 2006 Link
I agree with Jason – the overhang isn’t so bad. I think these are some of the first pictures of the ‘07 MINI straight from the side. While there is a slight increase in the length of the nose, I think a lot of the previous pictures exagerrated the length due to the camera angle.
ReplyI see the wheel reflectors are centered which I have to say I like, also much smaller that the current reflectors.
Those are just pieces of tape. The final reflectors will be in the same position as they are on the current cars.
I’ll be curious if the C pillar is really that wide, tape notwithstanding.
If you look closely here, you can just make out the true c-pillar.
I’m glad to see yellow turn signals at the back because it’s sometimes difficult to differentiate between brake lights and turn signals on many different car models out there. This is a problem especially when it’s sunny out.
Every market except the US uses the current MINI taillights with yellow (or white & yellow) indicators. So even if this testing mule has yellow indicators, the MINI USA still may stick with the all red look.
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Enzo Jul 19th, 2006 Link
I don’t think there’s any visible overhang compared to my 05 cooper s, at least not that I can see. Besides it looks like the overhang is due to the bumper only, which does not add any significant weight to affect its handling.
On a side note, you can have overhang and still have incredible performance. As an example, my 06 WRX STI has an overhang as almost as big as my mini but it handles like no other car.
I’m liking the new mini more and more, and is it just me or does it look very very very mean?
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SB Jul 19th, 2006 Link
You got your black test mules and you got your silver test mules … ack! I wish somebody would make duct tape in Hyper Blue or Chili Red. Good pics nonetheless.
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Kennedy Jul 19th, 2006 Link
I was just wondering a week or so ago when someone was going to run across these guys out there? I figured they must be running some hot-testing sometime. I’m heading to Pheonix for some testing tomorrow – MINI if you’re reading this, feel free to do lots of testing there this weekend! It should be a balmy 110+
These are great pics and the car really looks good. If our current MINIs are both cute and somewhat mean, these are cute and somewhat menacing. I’m digging it.
And did we just figure out who bought Gabe’s old wheels?
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John Jul 19th, 2006 Link
I’ll take mine in Chilli Red with Black Roof and bonnet stripes.
I’ve seen some people concerned about buying a first year model. I think that BMW knows what is at stake if they stumble on initial quality with this car so I beleive that they have taken a initial quality very seriously. If I am not mistaken I beleive the engine is already in production cars in Eurpoe and I would assume many of the production and quality issues worked out.
Based on other posts regarding weight savings and HP boost I am expecting a healthy gain in performance. I don’t think the new exterior departs that much from the original. It still retains the instantly recognized identity of a MINI and the changes will not be noticed by your average Schmo on the street. I’ve seen other makes so radically change a design that is kills the car. I owned a 1988 Isuzu Impulse Turbo. Great car. Then Isuzu came out with the 1990 Impulse/Geo Storm and which completely killed the car.
The interior was great concern to me but I think it is an evolution that was needed. The interior is becoming dated [it was designed in the late 90's after all]
So I’ll be in line to buy one next May. It will be my 20th wedding anniversary present. I’ve had the MINI bug since 2003 and I don’t think I could wait for a 2008.
How many out there are planning on trading into a 2007?
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lTZMTOR Jul 19th, 2006 Link
Not seeing menacing but relieved that this is better looking that I 1st thought. It will be interesting to see what the Aero Kit will looks like.
The headlite placement is odd, seems it is more involved in the outer fender?
Still keeping the ‘04 for a long time unless I can upgrade to a later car and change out the cheap looking tail lites.
Love that photo thing you’re using… I only came across the “next” part this morning.
It must be blazing hot out in DV this time of year I wonder if the AC is any better? I as am getting some tint put on my sunroof here in LA LA Land like my ‘02 MCS had.
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Al Jul 19th, 2006 Link
I’m glad to see yellow turn signals at the back because it’s sometimes difficult to differentiate between brake lights and turn signals on many different car models out there. This is a problem especially when it’s sunny out.
I’ve always favoured yellow turn signals even if they don’t look as “nice” as all-reds.
Also, will the R56 MCS have a slat-grille option? I’ve got that on mine right now and I’d prefer my mini to have a “classy” look instead of the aero-type mesh grille.
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Jim Jul 19th, 2006 Link
Gabe,
In these pix, the gas filler cap on the S is the same as the Cooper cap.
Is this because it’s a prototype? Or is the “chrome” filler cap going away?
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xBoXlOvEr Jul 19th, 2006 Link
And… Why they dont do any interior pic? :S We just have 2 “official” and more wouldnt be bad…
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Rob Rudorf Jul 19th, 2006 Link
Do the wheel flares look bolder on the new car? Check out the image of the right side view with the 18″ wheels.
Replycould their testings of JCW wheels hint at extensive use of 18″ rims?
Taken from our “Next Generation Revealed Story” as posted in March 2005:
Due to a reengineered wheel well area, 18″ wheels will be more prevalent in the options list than with the current MINI.
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KLF230 Jul 19th, 2006 Link
The current Cooper R50 is listed at 142.8 inches long. I predict the new gen R56 will be 149 inches long (the increase both at the rear and the front). Anyone care to predict the length also? I don’t have a prize for the closest though.
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Eric Jul 19th, 2006 Link
To WingNut’s comment…
At least if the new 07 comes all duct taped, primered, scratched and dinged you won’t worry about it afterwards. How many of us complained, cried, bitched and moaned when we got out first ding, road/curb rash or bug on the bonnet?
Well, now you don’t have to worry about it with the ‘07. It’s predinged!
“PRE-DINGED LET’S MOTOR, NOT WASH!”
lol
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Nathaniel Salzman Jul 19th, 2006 Link
I feel vindicated now after seeing a slatted grill on the car. I know it’s the Cooper and not the MCS, but it makes a big difference. I actually really like the car with a proper grill on it!
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Dave Jul 19th, 2006 Link
There’s no change in the grille on this test mule though.
We have been seeing the slatted grille on the Next Generation COOPER for well over a year.
[motoringfile 02/2006] Next Generation MINI Revealed (updated)
[motoringfile 03/2005] Next Generation MINI Revealed
[motoringfile 01/2005] The Next MINI Caught Cold Weather Testing
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Mark Hendrie Jul 19th, 2006 Link
These pictures are getting better – and I retract my previous feminine comment about the new car. These pictures give a good shot of the new car and I think it looks amazing without a huge departure from the current styling.
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Nathaniel Salzman Jul 19th, 2006 Link
Thanks Dave, I’d forgotten about all the previous with-slatts photos we’d seen. Lately, it’s been a lot of MCS photos with the aero-style grill and I just don’t like it. The car looks so much more MINI with the slats. That’s all I meant. I really dislike the look of the new car without them.
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Dave Jul 19th, 2006 Link
I’m right there with you.
I’m actually sad to see that it appears the MCS will be doing away with the slatted grille. The aero kit grille “look” isn’t bad, but I am a firm believer that it should be either optional or an accessory, not the standard build configuration.
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FH Jul 19th, 2006 Link
Are they going to use those tail-lights, or the ‘06 taillights? While I don’t like the all-red look, and I swapped my taillights out with the euro-spec ones with a yellow turn signal, I do like the actual design.
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Nathaniel Salzman Jul 19th, 2006 Link
The aero kit grille “look†isn’t bad, but I am a firm believer that it should be either optional or an accessory, not the standard build configuration.
Yeah, hopefully it will be like now where you can get the chrome Cooper grille as an option on the MCS. If you flip through a lot of the MINI branding collateral, they tend to use a lot of aero kit cars in their photography, especially on the MCS. There were no slatted grills in The Italian Job cars either. Makes me wonder if there isn’t somebody far up in MINI with an aero-grille agenda or something. Now there’s a conspiracy theory for ya. Ha!
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JohnPC Jul 19th, 2006 Link
I would guess that the slatted grille will be an option on the S. The all-chrome grille is available as a dealer-installed option on the current S, so I imagine that could be continued in the newest form.
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laverne Jul 19th, 2006 Link
How does one get a job slapping odd pieces of tape on test mules? One thing that I can do is cut and tape!
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Dave Jul 19th, 2006 Link
If you flip through a lot of the MINI branding collateral, they tend to use a lot of aero kit cars in their photography, especially on the MCS. There were no slatted grills in The Italian Job cars either. Makes me wonder if there isn’t somebody far up in MINI with an aero-grille agenda or something.
I have some names for you: Crispin, Porter, Bogusky, Butler, Shine, and Stern.
It’s all part of a campaign to butch-up the brand.
Featuring the aero kit prominently is only one component of the program. The other aspects appear to include a mixture of the following: - larger size accessory wheels - bonnet stripes and accessory driving lights - the complete absence of women driving MINIs. For that matter, the only woman I can recall even interacting with a MINI was done by MINI Canada, not MINIUSA, and she was a dominatrix.
The agenda appears to be simple enough: do as much as possible to tramp down the chick car image (or at the very least not do things to encourage that perception).
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Evan Jul 19th, 2006 Link
In side-on profile, comparing a pic of my MC and this new one, the front and rear overhang increases are noticable. So is the fact that the wheels will have to be big on this MINI like all new BMW designs lately which require the largest wheel option to look appropriate. The current MINI looks properly proportioned even with the 15″ wheels. The new MINI acutally seems to look like it took a deep breath and is holding it in- the hatch and rear are pushed out (more shelf like), the front is higher (for those silly people who can’t look both ways), and the black trim around the arches and the sides sills is thicker.
So, a base Cooper will need the 18″ wheels now, but it will be lighter with 120hp… plus the fuel economy should be the same or a tick higher…
Can’t wait until September….no more black tape and proper colors. Just b/c my ‘04 MC isn’t going anywhere doesn’t mean it can’t make a new friend…
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Nathaniel Salzman Jul 19th, 2006 Link
I prefer the term “man-i-mizeâ€Â
LOL! That’s man-tastic!
In the case study for the creative firm that does mini.ca, they talk about launching the MINI brand in Canada and overcoming any “chick car” perceptions the car might adopt at first glance. It’s a very interesting read. I can understand the image logic of aggressive = manly, but I don’t see where the black grill intrinsically accomplishes that. I’d love to see an aero kit that had slats top and bottom – just to see what that would look like.
And btw, I love the look of the black grill and aero kit on the current car. I’ve thought many a time of doing the grill conversion (though ultimately I like the slats better). But I don’t like the look on the new nose. Ick. I do, however, think the car looks great with the slatted grille in it.
And on I go, beating the dead horse. Anybody wanna hear my thoughts on the on/off water pump? ;-)
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Tom Jul 19th, 2006 Link
I really think BSSP, is missing something here. Maybe they could send us all a roll of tape. Then we could all be driving around in our own little taped up MINIs.
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alpinamike Jul 19th, 2006 Link
I think they were just tanning the MINIs their, thats why they are so dark:)
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05DSMCS Jul 19th, 2006 Link
So thicker skirts/arches, bigger wheels and from what I can tell, bigger rear view mirrors. I think this is all to try and downplay the increase in size. Bigger ears and nose make the head look smaller.
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~Marcus~ Jul 19th, 2006 Link
I like it, but have the following reservations:
The Cooper bumpers look really plain without the current distinctive chrome inserts, these may still turn up but I can’t see where.
Also, as others have mentioned, the enlarged wheelarches to allow 18 inch wheels mean that 16 inch wheels now look too small. I hope they have made some progress with 17 inch runflats and ride quality.
I would like a Cooper with 17 inch or 18 inch wheels and it will have to have an Aero kit – can’t wait to see that.
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Vanwall Jul 19th, 2006 Link
Looks a bit less balanced as a two-box compared to the present design, but not overly so. The devil is in the details of course, so I’m hoping those aren’t screaming “gimmick” too blatantly, if at all. The basic MINI has a nice integrated look already, with solid, hewn-from-granite proportions, so maybe the overcompensations of the various prosthetic add-ons that some evidently feel is needed to offset the size will be limited to tiny-egg-crate grills, (manly? howzat?) and pseudo-spoileriffics. I’m ambivalent, actually, towards the 18″ or larger wheels – styling-wise, they can make a small car look like a Hot Wheel, or a Bill Deal drawing – too much, too soon – but gotta get the rubber on the road in some fashion, I guess, even if it doesn’t look fashionable. Fingers now crossed for ages, getting a bit sore, now.
BCNU,
Rob in Dago
Matt Jul 20th, 2006 Link
I saw one of these “mules” here in Santa Barbara yesterday. Might not have been the same car but it was black and looked just like these.
Reply[...] Ottime notizie per gli appassionati Mini. Le prossime Cooper e Cooper S (modello R56) saranno dotate non solo di motori piÒ¹ potenti, ma saranno anche piÒ¹ leggere. [...]
rakh1 Jul 20th, 2006 Link
What is under the tape covering each side of the lower rear bumper insert – split rear foglights maybe???
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Tom P Jul 20th, 2006 Link
Generally looks fine, but I wish they’d leave the “butch” details to the aftermarket and not compromise good design. Big wheels with rock-hard runflats ride like buckboards, are skittish except on glass-smooth surfaces, and unless very expensive lightweight alloys, add weight where you least want it. Pass. Aero kits do nothing but scrape curbs, collect snow and condensation, and add more useless weight. Pass. All-red taillights are purely about the “look,” the international tricolors are safer. Pass. I know this junk sells, but it’s no different/better than GM slapping a goofy rear spoiler on an Impala or the neighbor’s kid adding 200 pounds of plastic and two-watt taillights to his ground-scraping Civic. We laugh at them, wish BMW would stick to the higher (functional) ground.
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Chainsaw Flowerchild Jul 22nd, 2006 Link
Driving in California without a front license plate non the less.
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