Automobile Magazine drives the R56

With BMW at the helm there is no reason for hodge podge interior design. It must be recognized that although the MINI is unique in many of its design attributes, a cleaner, form follows function/BMW isspired aesthetic would be greatly appreciated by many of us who take issue with Big Ben speedos and the profusion of confusion.

If I am interpreting his comments correctly, I think the author is saying that the new electric power steering system is “too darty” and also a little devoid of road feel and precision.

I have read about this complaint elsewhere too regarding the R56. It seems that the hybrid electric-hydraulic power steering system in the old cars is much better and provides better road feedback and sharper turn in precision.

I’ve yet to drive the R56, but when I read this review for the first time a couple weeks ago, I too interpreted the author’s criticism of the new steering as too “darty” for his tastes — but I also took it with a grain of salt, because 1) I haven’t gotten the impression from other reviews I’ve read that others also found the steering too hair-triggerish, and 2) that’s been a criticism of mine regarding the steering of some other cars I’ve driven — the Miata comes to mind — but I personally haven’t found the R50/52/53′s steering to be too darty, and I’d be surprised if MINI went in that direction with their new steering unit, so it makes me wonder if this reviewer is just hypersensitive about that issue in the cars he drives.

(And perhaps the new electric steering unit doesn’t deliver quite the amount of feel that the old hydraulic steering does — again, I don’t have a personal opinion on this, not having driven the new generation yet — but most reviews I’ve read have emphasized how remarkably close the new electric steering comes to delivering the feel of the old hydraulic system, so my expectations are definitely different from FranklinMiami’s, whose impression is that the old steering system is “much better” than the new.)

Overall, I thought the Automobile magazine review was positive, although a bit eccentric. For instance, the one thing that most bothered me about this particular review was this comment by the author:

“And it’s when you’re indulging in these delights, leaning on the 11.6-inch front discs, wondering why all performance hatchbacks don’t benefit from a 2492-pound curb weight, that you forget the crummy packaging.”

Yet neither prior to this statement nor thereafter does he really explain what he finds “crummy” about the “packaging.” Yes, he criticizes the lack of utility the car offers because of its size multiple paragraphs before that statement (and, dude? it’s a MINI!), and he complains about his dislike of the large speedometer and the ergonomics of the HVAC and audio controls, but I’d describe those latter aspects as appointments or details more than “packaging,” a word that to me sums up the entirety of a vehicle more than just a couple of its component parts. Bizarre.

I found the article’s main thrust to be a travelogue rather that an appraisal of the pro’s and con’s of the MINI’s design and performance. Perhaps that was what it was meant to be: a little car, a lot of scenery.

IMHO, it’s too easy to pass judgment on knobs, toggle switches and boot space; much harder to analyze the subtleties of vehicle dynamics. I’m still waiting to drive one before I form ANY opinions about the R56 performance aspects.

Theo

To me it sounds like this guy is a poor automotive journalist. It’s pretty obvious he doesn’t care about the car at all. He’s more interested in observing and writing about the scenery. Anyone who calls themselves a car enthusiast would be really excited to drive the mini, and pick it apart in a technical sense. I just don’t think automobile magazine is targeted at enthusiast drivers. I doubt they consider autocrossers and hardcore enthusiasts as part of their reader base. I envision people who buy cars for status reading this magazine more. If you look at the ads you’ll clearly see that it’s targeted for a different audience. (expensive watches etc…)

2012??? But I already long for it facelifted! I get R50 and R53, but I don’t get this one. Why they have to exaggerated on the interior center console and instrumentation? What happened to the word “simplicity of design” in the brief? On exterior, why the big reer end? Is the trunk bigger? Is the car significantly more aerodynamic? Is the swelled motor hood really swelled just over the engine? No. Look underneath and see that there is TOO much not necessary height increase of the hood for pedestrian hits. Facelift soon? Simple!

I happen to subscribe to Automobile mag and could not disagree more … the mag is usually super reliable as far as reviews go and VERY opinionated … which is more than I can say for Motor Trend, Road and Track and the like. Actually they are always crawled up nice and tight into BMW’s behind … almost like they well being dependent on it. This is a fact … and it was pointed out by readers many times over.

But, the review is still not a real, “driving” one … and I agree with the travelogoue comparison

While this was a luke warm review, in the same issue they completely rave about the MazdaSpeed3. That sounds like quite the ride (and quite the value, performance-wise.)

Gabe,

your link to the article landed me on page 4 of it..

Although after reading the comments maybe pages 1-3 weren’t worth reading..

“This creates an odd physical sensation for the driver: upper body braced between the bolsters of the excellent front seat, in a permanent effort to control any extraneous wheel movement”

actually I’d agree with this (on r53)at least until you’ve gotten used to it. I rmember the first time I tried changing quickly lanes at 65mph and twitched the wheel quickly to see what it would do.. My feet started tingling like there were a million needles poking them. Dem MINIs sure can jump left or right when your move the wheel

” but sometimes a landscape matters more than any chance to decipher the dynamic merits of a new hatchback.”

As someone above noted, he seemed more interested in the landscape at times than reviewing the MINI.

“that you forget the crummy packaging.”

Blasphemy!

Well, the switch gear in the current car is a league or two behind the rest of the car. I find this extremely annoying while on the track. The Mini can give lessons to many cars, but one area where BMW should listen up…and perhaps take a lesson from Honda, is the stick.