MINI UK Releases New R56 Photos

dickdavid Oct 31st, 2006 Link

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

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GZ Oct 31st, 2006 Link

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′).

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bluzeke Oct 31st, 2006 Link

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?

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Gabe Oct 31st, 2006 Link

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.

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bluzeke Oct 31st, 2006 Link

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!

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Chad in VA Oct 31st, 2006 Link

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.

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RRudorf Oct 31st, 2006 Link

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.

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GSKChicago Oct 31st, 2006 Link

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

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eto Oct 31st, 2006 Link

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

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Bruce Oct 31st, 2006 Link

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.

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Eelke Nov 1st, 2006 Link

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.

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blalor Nov 1st, 2006 Link

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

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Aniawn Nov 1st, 2006 Link

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?

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GZ Nov 1st, 2006 Link

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.

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pete Nov 1st, 2006 Link

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 ;-)

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Bruce Nov 1st, 2006 Link

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

.

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GZ Nov 2nd, 2006 Link

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

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MotoringFile » 2006 » December » 31 Dec 30th, 2006 Link

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