MINI UK Launches R56 Preview Site

Sections: R56 (Hatch) Aug 14th, 2006 39 Comments

Looking for a way to blow-off about 20 minutes? MINI UK has a 2007 MINI preview site that gives us a sneak peak at Lightning Blue, a few new wheel options (alng with a couple of old ones) and a clean look at the new navigation design among a few other surprises.

[ 2007 MINI Preview ] MINI.co.uk

Written By: Gabe

http://google.com biL

first shot of the new center console w/ nav!!!

looks like it really redeems the center console by moving those obscenely ugly controls back down where they belong :)

and the new nav looks very sweet, seems a lot more seemless and designed to be a part of the center console as opposed to the current gen’s tacked on feel.
http://www.barbaloot.com geno

The Nav looks awesome!!! Now I know what I am getting…
http://www.barbaloot.com geno

Wait one question. In the RHD car the “key” hole is still on the LHD side…
tony T

What the heck is that with the Nav display#?

I’d order Nav now just to make sure the stereo controls are not on the speedo!!!!

So where does the speedo pointer go…?

confused…
Avitor

So, are there to be no more S-Heavies?
Jon

I like what I am seeing, kudo’s to you mini
Chad

Flame spokes on the MC. Oh, I am so excited. How much do I have to save a paycheck between now and the when these hit dealerships?
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com Dave

Nice. The Nav certainly helps clean up the center stack (one less cheesy MINI logo!). Now if only it would replace the wings logo a/c controls too.
Avitor

The color change cabin lighting interests me… But does it also change the console and guage lighting?
Avitor

Standard Spec * 6-Speed Manual Transmission * Anti-roll bars front and rear, single-joint spring strut front axle and multiple control arm rear axle * Disc brakes all round – ventilated at front * ISOFIX for rear seats * Run-flat indicator * ABS, cornering brake control and Electronic Brake-force distribution * Automatic Stability Control and Traction (ASC+T) * Third Brake Light * Smart Airbags, side airbags and head airbags for Driver and Front Passenger * Safety belts with pretensioners * Crash sensor with fuel cut-off * Electronic immobiliser and Radio-controlled alarm * Radio controlled Central locking, automatic at 10mph * Heated rear window and rear window wiper * Rear Roof Spoiler * Contrast Roof and door mirrors * Chrome bezels around rear lights and headlights * Fine White Silver Interior Trim * Metal-look door sills with model designation * 3 sun visors, two on drivers side * Driver Seat height adjustment * Easy Entry Function * Sports seats for driver and front passenger * 50/50 Split folding rear seats * Two-Spoke sports leather steering wheel * Ignition Start / Stop button * Electric front windows * Toolkit in boot * Rake and reach steering column adjustment * Front and rear headrests * **Radio BOOST CD** * **AUX in point, for external audio devices**

Okay, so they’ve got my attention. I wonder if this will be standard for the US market as well.
JP

Don’t forget the Mini International site for some interesting flash including colorizing interior lights and a very clever animation for changing paint schemes.
Edge

AHA! Confirmation from MINI UK that the S in MCS DOES stand for Sport… they refer to the badge on the side of the MCS as a “Sports Badge”. :)
Aurel

yes, the center stack with the navigation looks ace … really nice!
Avitor

About that “Sports” badge…

Bearing the red “S” logo, the new sharper designed badge adds the finishing touch to the new MINI Cooper S.

Yes it looks nice, but sharper looking than the ’03-’06 Cooper S badge? I don’t think so. Just as nice, maybe, but not “sharper.”
hoy

Nice find. Gabe. I agree with other commentors that the new navi looks great. Question, where are the controls or could this navi actually be touch-screen (wishful thinking)?
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com Dave

The Piano Black dash carries over but apparently minus the circles.
Mark Smith

“AHA! Confirmation from MINI UK that the S in MCS DOES stand for SportÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦ they refer to the badge on the side of the MCS as a ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œSports BadgeÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â. :)”

No they are incorrect. The “S” in Cooper S stands for S Curve because the MINI carves ‘em up like Yan Can Cook. It is truth it does not stand for “Sport.”
EricR

Toggles above the rear view mirror?? Thanks for the heads up, Gabe!
Mike

What is the thing under the passenger’s air vent? It looks like some kind of dial… oh please give me more pictures!

This makes me wish I had leased, so I had an excuse to trade up…. Now I have to go and break it to my current Mini that a purchase isn’t forever… sniff
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com Dave

Mike, that is the button your press to open the glove box.
Jeff

Noticed in one pic that the DSC on-off is no longer a toggle but a button near the shifter. Makes it easier to turn off DSC for a moment when entering traffic from a surface that is elevated, to avoid causing the sometimes terrifying power cutout. I like that.
iNomis

The Easy Entry Function is where the doors unlock when you are near and you can start without placing the key in the dock, correct?
Jeff

WOW! Did you see the MPG under the technical specs?

Cooper: 36.2 mpg urban; 61.4 extra-urban; 48.7 combined

MCS: 31.7mpg urban; 49.6 extra-urban; 40.6 combined

Can this be real? WOW!

Let me see: accelerates like a slingshot, handles like a go-kart, and gets superior gas mileage, all for $25k or so. And I thought there’s no way I wouldn’t be keeping my 2005 MCS EB with Nav for a few more years!
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

WOW! Did you see the MPG under the technical specs?

That is the UK scale – not quite what we go by for the US. Ours will be lower. There’s was a story last week about what to expect.

The Easy Entry Function is where the doors unlock when you are near and you can start without placing the key in the dock, correct?

Yup.

Okay, so theyÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ve got my attention. I wonder if this will be standard for the US market as well.

As is currently the case, the US standard spec will most likely be noticably different.
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com Dave

WOW! Did you see the MPG under the technical specs? Cooper: 36.2 mpg urban; 61.4 extra-urban; 48.7 combined MCS: 31.7mpg urban; 49.6 extra-urban; 40.6 combined Can this be real? WOW!

Keep in mind that is in Imperial Gallons. You need to divide each of those figures by 1.2 to get the mileage in U.S. gallons.

Also, even with the U.S. gallon conversion factor, that may or may not be a number that will be representative of what the MINI will be rated at for the U.S. market once the mileage is tested by U.S. standard practices, so don’t go comparing the 1.2 figure to the EPA rating just yet.
Jeff

Keep in mind that is in Imperial Gallons. You need to divide each of those figures by 1.2 to get the mileage in U.S. gallons.

I knew that! -:)
j

omg….. those blue lights on the doors look sick with that interior…… 2 more years on my mazda6 lease :(
Marty

I don’t like the fog lights on the back bumper of the new MCS In fact, I don’t like that back spoiler at all

Marty
Hai

The new nav and the better mileage alone make me want to get another MINI. The COOPER looks better than the COOPER S in my opinion. Does anyone know if the new nav has voice command? It seems like all car navs nowadays have that feature and many extra features. However, I won’t be getting another MINI til 2009 (when I graduate from college) anyway :) so hopefully MINI comes out with new cool stuff by then (a hybrid would be extremely sweet!!!).
http://www.atlantaminis.net M. Dillon

…now that I’ve,”blew off 20 min.” at the MINI U.K. site,I can HONESTLY state that I HAVE FOUND MY REPLACEMENT for,”Sade”. What I really like is the new moonroof option where BOTH front and back glass can tilt forward and back. Also,I enjoyed the new options for the inside as well. From the new toggle switches perched above,to the interior,”mood ring”,color changes,option,to the keyless entry option. In closing,I feel like MINI is also trying to steal away the SCION customers/potental customers who like the bell and whistles of the car line;but,don’t like the,”chessy”,fit and finish of the xA or xB. Yes…you my friend,”Robert Johnson”(oxygen blue/blk. MC)…shall be a great follow-up after,”Sade”.
JD7

ummm, question about the Sports Button. Why would you want to ever not have it on? It reminds me of the “Turbo” button on the x86 computers of the 90s… I never even thought of turning mine off.
http://www.blokspeed.net Eelke

Question, where are the controls or could this navi actually be touch-screen (wishful thinking)?

They move down, apparently. Go to the Cooper S, it makes comparisson the most convenient. In the interior view, it has the standard speedo with integrated controls. There is only a small knob between de CD slot and the wing-logo AC controls in the center console. Now go and click on either the speedo or the center console, on both of the screens you get the nav speedo is featured. Hey presto, the small knob has been replaced by a cluster of controls, which I’m guessing are some of the controls otherwise in the speedo. (But those screens also suggest that the nav allows access to some ICE functions).

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and pray for an option that allows you to clean up the center speedo by moving those controls down as when the nav is fitted (don’t want nav, but I might be forced to take it if I would ever get another Mini just to get rid of those integrated controls :) ).
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

question about the Sports Button. Why would you want to ever not have it on?

You’d probably not want to have it on while driving on the highway as it will make the car a bit more darty.
eto

So where is lightning blue? I could not find it. :( I’m really hoping for the return of a color similar to Indie Blue.
Lee L

I actually like the new Nav option much better than the stock speedo. Kind of a unique look with the needle on the edge.

Nice car overall (I think, I need to see it to be sure). When oh when will we get to see one in person?
bling

So where is lightning blue? I could not find it.

When viewing the exterior features for the ‘S’ select one of the options from the bottom menu (ie.radiator grille). Then click on the spinning square highlighting said ‘radiator grille’ in the main picture above. A larger image of the grille should appear on what I believe is the lightning blue.
eto

Ahh… I thought that was laser blue. If that is the color, then thy are very close. I also noticed the new MINI sites show a teal color on the S. Perhaps that is laser blue… or lightning blue…
aiiee

it’s funny how they hide what they’ve done with the rear quarter glass in all these pictures. Almost as if they’re ashamed of it
http://www.trackfaq.com Brett Paul

AhhÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦ I thought that was laser blue. If that is the color, then thy are very close. I also noticed the new MINI sites show a teal color on the S. Perhaps that is laser blueÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦ or lightning blueÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦

Laser Blue is the Teal looking color. Lightning Blue appears to be a shade or two lighter than Indie Blue, but looks promising.

I would also like some more looks at the Lightning Blue. I am sure we will get that opportunity next month.

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