MINI’s Official R56 Preview Photos

Sections: Official News | R56 (Hatch) Jul 27th, 2006 82 Comments

Instead of sprinkling all 20+ photos of the new R56 prototypes throughout the official MINI press release, we thought readers might enjoy seeing them completely on their own in a separate post. Just click on each photo to increase the size. To move to the next image, simply click the next button or use the “N” key on your keyboard. To go back hit the previous button or click the “P” key.

Now let’s hear some initial thoughts. Likes, dislikes, questions, concerns?

MINI will release final, un-camouflaged photos (including interior shots) in mid-August.

Written By: Gabe

http://www.alldigitalnyc.com drew

frank! my man! take it easy ; ) nobody wants miini to fail…nobody wants ANYONE to fail! i think change is good – and for the most part i am jazzed about the new mini. however, you can’t seriously look at those interior dash bits and tell me that’s a step up…can you? unless mini does something really different to make it look better, then i think they have missed the mark there – by a long shot! i have sat in the car and seen this stuff with my own eyes – and it looks the way it looks – trust me.

anyhoo – to each his own!
Frank

Drew, I don’t disagree with you about the dashboard design. I think it is a little over the top and seems to try too hard to create a style that doesn’t quite go well with the rest of the car.

And yes, Frank Stephenson must be busy puking as we speak, head buried deep down at a toilet near him in Ferrari headquarters….

But my point is…whether we like it or not, the car must evolve for the brand to survive. The small car segment is extremely competitive and has the lowest loyalty rating among all other auto segments (I am sure MINI has completely changed this trend in the last 4 years).

I lament that the original and brilliant design mastermind behind the MK1 MINI is not longer involved with the car, but life goes on and MINI needs to be able to quickly recognize and correct and design mishaps based on public feedback.

The R56 is a tremendous challenge for MINI in many respects. First, it has big shoes to fill after the R50/53 hardtop production ceases at the end of this year. Second the car has to continue and excel in all key areas that make a MINI a MINI and third…. The car has to exhibit top notch quality, design, safety and reliability that surpasses the benchmarks set by the outgoing car.

MINI doesn’t have Stephenson anymore so now they are on their own and BMW knows that any mistep, no matter how small it might be, can send the MINI brand sparilling down and effectively destroying all the good work and successes of the past 4 years.

I pray that the production models have a better interior, at least the plastics are of better calibre and that the car at large is another home run hit. If it isn’t BMW will have a very expensive hot potato burning down their own hands.
mooble

The slotted grill will be on the cooper though. And the back doesn’t look that bad in the technical drawings (un cammoed). I like it alot.
JP

http://cars.uk.msn.com/News/car_news_article.aspx?cp-documentid=704369

Check out MSN UK for some different shots of the interior. One site announced that there would be new leather options including orange with black piping.
johnny

Wow, how can something look so similar yet so different? It’s a mini, but incredibly uglified! The car seriously needs rhinoplasty, it looks like it had the front of a New Beetle grafted on by a mad scientist. Ouch, my poor eyes.
http://www.dickdavid.com dickdavid

I have a quick question about the model numbers. At one point, I thought the R56 was going to be the 07 MC and the R55 was going to be the 07 MCS. Now it looks like both MC and MCS are R56 and the long wheel base is now the R55.

What are the true model numbers?
Mike

Mini should sell body-color tape…
Chris

The negative vibe here is taking away my horny. Although we’re slowly getting to know the car, its still a little to early to pass judgement, in my opinion. We’ve grown so accustomed to the winning good looks of the R50 and R53 that I think any visible change is inherently undesirable. Nevertheless, everyone should try to keep an open mind until we get some legitimate seat time. :)

If I had to choose between an R53 and an R56 sitting side-by side, both the same color, and with similar equipment, I think I’d prefer the R56 based on exterior appearance. It looks a little more “butch”, more muscular with its upright grille. I really like that, but could do without the overhang.

I’m not fond of the grille in the rear bumper – its not understated enough. Nor do I like the “fish eyed” front clip, and the center dashboard column. Although they were obviously attempting to adhere to a “winged MINI emblem” design theme, it looks like it might be overdone and potentially tacky.

These small items aside, I still get a warm and fuzzy feeling when I look at the car. I’m excited to see one in person, and possibly own one if it passes muster. :)
Dr Bo

NOT for Sale: 2005 MCSc

Wanted: 2007 Audi TT to breed with Cooper S to provide second gen offspring with top notch interior.
grayman

looking at the pictures of teh new gen MINI going its paces through the corners at high speed.. can’y help but to think that the R56 has a lot more body lean into the corners? theres a pic even showing the R56 lifting off its inner rear wheel.. is this the new suspension setup we are expecting?
Neil

The return of LY?
Bryn Rossiter

It looks blobby on the outside and even blobbier on the inside, following the German trend to make each new model uglier than the last.
http://www.blokspeed.net Eelke

Engine: absolutely excited about state of the art technology as opposed to low-tech stuff in current car.

Exterior: rather pleased about the good job they did of preserving the current car’s charm, if a little put off by the fake hood scoop on the S. (Maybe the JCW kit will include an intercooler to be mounted behind it? And/or the option list will have a zero-price option of fitting a Cooper bonnet to the S). I think it’s a shame they found it necesarry to hide the S-spoke wheelnuts behind a cover plate. It doesn’t look right to me.

Interior: absolutely despise the center part of the dash, with the stereo controls integrated in the speedo, no needle gauges for temp and fuel, but tacky led indicators, and horrendous fisher price climate control. Other than that center bit, my sentiments about the interior are simmilar to those about the exterior, just a shame there’s apparently even less storage space.

WRT to the gap between the wheel well and the hood, keep in mind these are pre-production cars. I think the gap is most noticeable on the Laser Blue car, might just be a bad example. WRT the mesh grill: I quite like it (at least I like it a lot better than the color-coded grill that comes as standard on the current S), but, like others, I’m sure it will be possible to replace it with something more classic looking.
Mike

Thanks, MINI, for making the decision to hold on to my 02 Cooper very easy.
http://www.alldigitalnyc.com drew

couldn’t have said it better myself eelke!
AlwaysOpenCharlie05

Dude…

I have to say, as photos of the new car keep emerging, it’s growing on me. A lot.

Am I the only one who thinks the interior rocks?? I like and appreciate the new design elements, and I think the new materials and soon-to-be color combinations will be a refreshing, killer update.

I guess I’m just hardcore MINI. I’ve got a BRG Austin Mini (Right Drive) and a BRG (sort-of) ’05 Cooper Convertible, and, while I was considering buying a Hyper Blue ’06 MCS to finish it off, the light blue R56 MCS is looking very appealing to me. I love the old car, adore the current car, and really like the new car, especially after these new photos. Plus, the videos on MINI2 make it look pretty nimble, and the exhaust notes are very pleasant and MINI-esque.

The imposter bonnet scoop is my only turn off, and I’m sure the aftermarket guys will put it to good use, if the new JCW package doesn’t.

Cheers, MINI, for winning me over again.
Paul C.

OH DEAR GOD!!! What the hell is this? It’s a good thing they don’t offer indi blue anymore because it wouldn’t stick to a car/”mini” like this.
rkw

Paul Mullett at MINI2 has assembled a fascinating set of photos that compare the new and current models, shot at the same distance and angle: CLICK HERE
Nikos

I am so glad i bought my 2006 MCS.The interior is awfull.
GrFa

I am just glad that when I go to the dealer to pick up my car, its an 06 and is just there for service. So far I’m not a big fan of the new ones.
Justin

Sits awfully high due to the raised bonnet line. This one’s going to take some time to get used to…
Jason

I don’t know if anyone else mentioned it, but it’s nice to see a one-ball exhaust. This should make aftermarket exhaust options a bit less expensive.
Mike

Those side by side pictures posted on MINI2 by Paul Mullet really show the differences very clearly. I think even non-obsessed MINI people will see the changes at first glance. Did MINI have to pay Jimmy Durante’s estate for the use of his nose as a model for the new front end?
BzzzBom

I have a sick feeling in my stomach. The last time I felt this way is when the BMW 320i came out and the 2002 went away.
ChrisW

Ugh, something else I just noticed that displeases me: although there is a big new well for the windshield wipers, the sprayers (AKA streamers/dribblers) are still on the bonnet? Aargh! I hate those stupid little sprayer nubs. Why can’t MINI incorporate a nice sprayer (like my Passat had) into the windshield base? Not only did the Passat have a nice, clean hood with no nubs, but the sprayers gave a nice, even misting.
http://www.dickdavid.com dickdavid

I have a sick feeling in my stomach. The last time I felt this way is when the BMW 320i came out and the 2002 went away.

True, but now they’re both classics. The 2002 will always be my favorite, but I wouldn’t mind a nice E21 in my garage as well.
BUD

Aside from the controversial design issues discussed –I think MINI should strongly consider bringing the diesel version to NA. Given the current fuel fiasco that we are all confronted with on a daily basis what could be a better time than now to bring this baby to the USA.Moreover, with the DC SmartCar scheduled for intro. in ’07 by Penske et al, the MINI will be “out-mini-ized” by this 8 foot hyper-scooter. The initial version will be gas, but a diesel is planned to follow. The VW TDI PD has become a phenomenal “cult” car. I think the time is right for MINI to bring us the MINI One D. Many of us (enthusiast types) would welcome the challenge of turning frugality into performance. Bentley even has a LeMans diesel-powered race car which incorporates the engineering genius of the parent company VAG/AUDI. The One D would become a “practical” sensation for many enthusiasts like myself sans the complexity of hybrid technology.
rb

Evolution — can you stop it? I like the R56 MCS, especially in that yellow or blue. But I am still quite smitten by my ’02 MCS in chili red & white accents, 17″ S-Lites… ahhh

One thing I noticed (especially in the MINI2 photo comparo) that I really would miss — where are the Mini badges on the bonnet & boot of the R56?

Couldn’t live without those …
Enzo

I really stopped caring about car looks and that is why I traded my 05 MCS for an 06 STI. The things is that you get used to the performance and start wishing the looks were a little better.

I’m liking the new mini so much that i might just trade in my STI for the newer new mini
Bavarian Racing Green

…for me, i’ll take a Dark Silver ’07MCS with a sunroof , black rims, and Cordoba beige interior…

…i will place it next to my BRG ’03MC…

…then my wife and i will cruise around aimlessly debating the merits of each gereration…

…as a solution, we will enjoy both…
http://kickflop.net/blog/ Jeff

I’m no “MINIfile”, just a car guy.

I can tell right away… not what is different, but that it is blatantly obvious overall that it is different: And the previous MINI looks way better.
Quickchick

I will keep my MCS 05 until I also run it into the ground. I am not sure I like the new styling. I had been considering buying another Mini and have come to the conclusion that I am going to dump alot of money into the one I have right now to make it even better! Very pleased with the styling of my Mini, not sure about the 07…

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