MINI UK Releases New R56 Photos

Sections: R56 (Hatch) Oct 31st, 2006 18 Comments

MINI UK has released another batch of R56 photos today that will coincide with the November 18th launch of the R56 in the UK (and with the rather lengthy press release that will be on the site shortly). Nothing particularly new but they are some great shots nonetheless.

Related:

[ R56 Officially Revealed ] MotoringFile

[ More Official R56 Photos Released ] MotoringFile

Written By: Gabe

http://www.dickdavid.com dickdavid

These are cool, but I can’t wait to see the R56 in some other colors.
GZ

Amen! Enough with the blue! Already saw red so bring on other colors!! Interior looks good. I hope auxiliary gages are still an option. It was always a favorite of mine since I first saw the red 40th aniversary model(04′).
bluzeke

I’m sorry, but it’s still buggin’ me . . . why oh why did they have to make the wheel arch trim pieces so much fatter?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

I’m sorry, but it’s still buggin’ me . . . why oh why did they have to make the wheel arch trim pieces so much fatter?

Because the hood was raised (due to new pedestrian crash laws) and the belt-line is substancially higher as a result. Without the change the trim and the wheels would have looked insubstancial compared to the mucher taller hood and beltline. The proportions would have been off and the “wheels at the corners” stance the MINI is known for would have watered down.

Of course all that said, the car now looks rather awkard with 15″ wheels.
bluzeke

Thanks Gabe . . if anyone’s got the answer I’m looking for, it’d be you! Nevertheless, the wheels look insubstantial – I guess now it’s gonna take a 20″ aftermarket wheel to fill the void!
Chad in VA

Wow, I had never noticed before that the 15″s look much smaller. But now that you guys mention it…

However, the whole design continues to grow on me as I see more and more pictures. I’m looking forward to actually seeing one in person.
RRudorf

I still cannot get past the fake hood scoop. That is the single reason I won’t look into a new MINI when it’s time to trade or sell my ’05 MCS.

Maybe it’s time for therapy.
GSKChicago

I don’t care for the rims shown in picture 25 of 36. I presume there will be several other rim options?
eto

Has anyone found a site with these images in higher resolution?
Bruce

I wonder which company will be the first to make a replacement piece to smooth out and fill in the fake hood scoop? Body color would suit it fine. That would make a Cooper S hood look more like a Cooper.
http://www.blokspeed.net Eelke

I wonder which company will be the first to make a replacement piece to smooth out and fill in the fake hood scoop?

I think that company is called BMW/Mini; they’re fitting just that to the Cooper model ;) I wonder whether a Cooper bonnet will fit a Cooper S without any problems in terms of spacing and cooling.
http://bravo5.org/ blalor

Of course all that said, the car now looks rather awkard with 15ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â³ wheels.

Actually, I think it looks awkward with the 17″ wheels. :-( That and the rear fogs are the two exterior design elements that bug me. I’m wondering what wheel/tire combo will finally make it look right to me.
Aniawn

I know this may have been answered before, as it involves the pre-07 modles, but… Why are the front and rear fog lights on two seperate switches? Would it not make sense to intergrate them into one switch, and use that newly freed-up switch for something like the driving lamps?
GZ

I’m not a gearhead, however, here’s a thought. Is it possible that the hood scoop may be made functional(maybe part of the future JCW plan)? I remember several turbo charged cars with hood scoops.
pete

the hoodscoop all sounds very much like a future jcw plan. Even without the jcw, one can just take out the fake grille and use the scoop as a better cooling method for the turbo that is RIGHT UNDER NEATH THE HOODSCOOP. It all sounds to me like jcw will be adding an intercooler for added ponies ;-)
Bruce

Is it possible that the hood scoop may be made functional(maybe part of the future JCW plan)?

The fake hood scoop actually is part of a JCW plan.

Except in this case JCW = JCWhitney, the purveyor of automotive kitsch.

Take a look and spot the R56 one: http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Browse/tf-Browse/s-10101/N-111+10201+600002538/c-10101

.
GZ

Thanks Bruce. I’m gonna order one of these for my Lexus.
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