Fifth Gear Tests the R56 Prototype

Sections: In the Press | R56 (Hatch) Jul 27th, 2006 17 Comments

Mike Duff from Fifth Gear has one of the better (and thorough) reviews we’ve seen from MINI’s recent R56 Prototype press preview. Here’s an excerpt:

Okay, so the cars that we were invited to drive were still wearing some disguise tape, mostly covering up badges and brightwork, but more than enough was on display to make it clear that BMW is sticking closely to the visual look that made the previous generation car such a success. And you can’t blame the company for that, considering punters have so far proved themselves happy to spend a good 30 percent more on a mid-spec Mini than they would for a conventional supermini.

You’ll need to look closely to spot the differences between the outgoing Mini (shown below) and the new one (above). Look closely and you’ll see a slightly lower, sportier glassline complete with a longer rear window. The biggest structural changes have happened at the front of the car, where the Mini’s headlamps are now mounted to the body and shine through holes in the bonnet – promising vastly improved illumination than the infamously wobbly bonnet-integrated units of the old car.

A great review and highly recommended reading:

[ 2007 Mini first drive! ] Fifth Gear

Written By: Gabe

http://mysite.verizon.net/resq3ahk/ Jon

Hmmm, my headlamps never seemed wobbly by any means. And I liked how the headlamps were attached to the bonnet. It was somewhat unique, and added to the cool character of the car.
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/ Josh Wardell

First real pic we’ve seen of the new speedo/radio…I love it! And toggles both on top and bottom. Awesome. Also a peek inside the engine bay. Will we be seeing it on Top Gear soon? Hope so.
bonz

Interior shots were a bonus. Switch gear looks good, but man, it is geating harder and harder to apply aftermarket ICE.
Wetworth

Yeah…. wobbly headlights are new to me.
Aqualung

And, what’s w/ the knock on the 6-speed layout? My ’04 MCS has reverse to the left of first today; granted there’s no lockout ring but it does take a pretty deliberate movement to get into reverse….is it diff for Euro-spec MINIs?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

And, whatÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s w/ the knock on the 6-speed layout? My ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‹Å“04 MCS has reverse to the left of first today; granted thereÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s no lockout ring but it does take a pretty deliberate movement to get into reverseÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦.is it diff for Euro-spec MINIs?

No – the author of this article is simply not familiar with MINIs. Go figure.
Mark

The only thing I don’t like is that Fisher Price Playschool dash.
SB

The exterior all looks good or will grow on me I am sure. The interior however must be unveiled and look really awesome for me to warm up to the new look. The mammoth speedometer looks better than I initially thought it would … at least to top 3/4ths of it. The radio controls and the A/C controls absolutely mystify me. They have lost the purposeful serious, functional, “vintage high-tech” appearance we might have imagined in an aircraft cockpit … and exchanged them for the whimsical, toy-like, cutsie, shape and form of a $30 Fisher Price Mr. Fireman play toy. Paint those switches bright blue, yellow, and red and nothing is missing but the sound of a old fashioned bicycle bell when you push the button. Yuck!
SB

Mark. Sorry, I wasn’t stealing your Fisher-Price metaphor. Guess I am not alone out there.
GSP

No you’re definitely not alone … it really is straight out of Fisher-Price.
Jon

Good review, have to say I do agree with their statement about wanting the reverse gear gated, but still shouldn’t be to much of a worry.

I absolutly love my current mini’s but have to say that I think the new front end is a great design modification. My current bulldogs have a weaker chin so the new build is fitting the bulldog perspective even better imo
Ian F

So far I like what I see, interior-wise. The interior of the current car is one area I am not fond of and feel greatly needed work. I’m really looking forward to trying the new seats, which are a dead-horse subject for me. As long as a std 3-knob HVAC control system is available I’ll be happy. I’m not a fan of Auto-A/C no matter what it looks like.

I don’t feel the exterior changes really detract from the overall character of the car and if they make it easer/cheaper/more prfitable to produce, so be it.

I worry more about the unseen changes… like an electrically powered water pump… hmm…
Mark

SB, no worries mate – I think a lot of people will think Fisher Price when they see that dash. I swear that I had those very same controls (in nice bright colors) on the side of my playpen when was a wee boy.
Avitor

explicative deleted Words cannot describe my joy. This and Top Gear are two of my favorite shows ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬” and I still have to get them off of the internet. With Clarkson’s disdain for the current new MINI I don’t think Top Gear will be reviewing this soon, but who knows. Can’t wait to see what they do in video with this car on Fifth Gear.
O(=^=)OCapn

Granted, if you turn up the pace to 11 then the Mini still understeers at the limit.

Cool, a Spinal Tap reference!

Are they going to come up with a none more black color too?
Dave Mac Mini

You guys don’t get it. The MINI is and always has been a toy car. Now it has become an expensive, very well built toy, but the whole purpose of the car is to have FUN!! I think the new interior will be great, but then I also like the current one. I am really looking forward to driving the new version, and I will probably end up with one. Right now I have an 05 MCS, and before that I had an 02 Cooper. These cars are meant for people that like to have FUN and love driving! I have owned dozens of fine cars, and some not so fine ones in my 61 years on this planet, but the MINI has been the most fun. Maybe I am entering my second childhood.
Dave

“We’re not mad on: 1) Engine sounds a bit boring now. 2) Looks very similar to current car. 3) Having to wait until next year for delivery.”

Doh! What’s wrong with the current car look?!

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