Sections: MF Feature Sep 15th, 2006 22 Comments 
This sighting comes courtesy of MF reader:
I thought this might be of interest, but maybe not. My brother just sent me this picture he took with his phone. They were parked in the parking lot of a Publix supermarket on the corner on Collier Blvd. and Rattlesnake Hammock Rd. in Naples, FL! We are guessing the drivers had stpped for a bite at Subway. Wish we had a better picture, but he didn’t know what he had stumbled upon.
alpha-6 Sep 15th, 2006 Link
Hopefully they’ll be headed north to Orlando so I can sneak a peak…….maybe they’ll be in town for some Mickey and MINI (Walt Disney World, October 13-15::PLUG::) action!!! Hehe.
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Joema Sep 15th, 2006 Link
The MINI salesperson near me stated they won’t be getting any New MINIs until February and that I might be able to order one in December. I wonder if this photo means we’ll be getting them in the US sooner than expected? If anyone has further info, please share!
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YuccaPatrol Sep 15th, 2006 Link
I think that it is great that “he didn’t know what he had stumbled upon” because that means that the new MINI’s look like MINI’s to just about everyone except for those of us who know too damn much about them!
All in all, I am looking forward to the new model. Sure there are design changes that I don’t absolutely love, but there are design aspects of the current version that I don’t absolutely love too. . .
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Pedro Sep 15th, 2006 Link
Nice find! Hope to see them at Mickey and MINI at Disney as well :).
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Paul Sep 15th, 2006 Link
Maybe it’s some MINI gorilla marketing ;)
Maybe it’s just the pics, but the R56 looks jacked up.
I think I read some where that it is higher (EU law?).
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msh441 Sep 15th, 2006 Link
I thought I read the wheel wells were opened up to more effectively accomodate 18″ wheels. They definately look like they need a 1-2″ drop.
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James Sep 15th, 2006 Link
I guess MINI didn’t figure there was anyone under the age of 60 in Naples who would recognize the cars. 8^)
Damn, they have huge butts.
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Mini2Go Sep 15th, 2006 Link
Maybe it’s just the pics, but the R56 looks jacked up.
I keep thinking the same thing every time I see a pic from the rear.
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AntiqueCarNut Sep 15th, 2006 Link
> I guess MINI didn’t figure there was anyone under the > age of 60 in Naples who would recognize the cars. 8^)
60? Kind of young for Florida, no?
> Damn, they have huge butts.
The MINI’s or the 60 year-olds? LOL!
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Brendan Sep 15th, 2006 Link
My guess is that those are in use by some magazine, or magazines. To get the review in the december/january issues they most likely have to review the cars now.
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Brendan Sep 15th, 2006 Link
Or also they could be some cars for some on-location shooting of a new brochure???
ReplyFrom what I know, let me answer a few of the questions:
they could be some cars for some on-location shooting of a new brochure???
Nope.
My guess is that those are in use by some magazine, or magazines. To get the review in the december/january issues they most likely have to review the cars now.
Nope.
I wonder if this photo means we’ll be getting them in the US sooner than expected?
Nope.
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rupert Sep 15th, 2006 Link
Man, the black one on the far left looks like a bloody Pontiac! New USA special model for the over 60s?
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Chris Sep 15th, 2006 Link
Took me a moment – I couldn’t quite tell what I was looking at since the logo emblems were taped.
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percy Sep 16th, 2006 Link
I guess MINI didn’t figure there was anyone under the age of 60 in Naples who would recognize the cars.
There are a lot of over 60 MINI owners who used to drive the original car back in the days when they were young and senseless.
Damn, they have huge butts.
Yeah, but my wife fits in the passenger seat just fine.
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Michael Sep 16th, 2006 Link
2 Things, an observer of the MINI drivers in Naples, FL will discover that the friendlier of the MINI drivers are over the age of 60. It is my understanding that Miles Collier himself frequently buzzes around town in his JCW MCS. And these are the fun guys. Nuthin quite like a late night run down Livingston ;-) right guys.
Also, there is a large amount of auto testing that has been going on in this area. Several car manufacturers including Ford and Diamler-Chrysler use the area and frequent both Aligator Alley and US 41 to drive between Naples and Miami for testing. There is also a sports park that has been seeing a lot of activity from the Jeep guys (right across from where the picture was taken).
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Eelke Sep 18th, 2006 Link
I think that it is great that “he didn’t know what he had stumbled upon†because that means that the new MINI’s look like MINI’s to just about everyone except for those of us who know too damn much about them!
I’m not so sure that is a good thing. If people don’t notice they’re seeing something new, does that mean they don’t notice problems with the design? I’m worried people think: “Hey, is that a Mini? I never noticed that black bit arount the bottom was so wide.” Or “Gee, never knew the butt on a Mini looked so big from the side.” Or, . Depending on how well people know the original Mini, this process may be less conscious.
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Eelke Sep 19th, 2006 Link
Just noticed a small piece of my reply got lost, probably because I put it in between greater-then less-then brackets. The second to last sentence should read: “Or, (insert your pet peeve about the R56)”.
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