Comments on: The US R56 Debut Round-up in Photos http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/ MotoringFile | MINI news, reviews and opinion. MINI Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bob http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-85367 Bob Thu, 18 Jan 2007 17:57:30 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-85367 <p>I too see a slacking of character in the new one. Maybe they'll perform a major facelift on it soon or take a whole new direction the next time around...</p> I too see a slacking of character in the new one. Maybe they’ll perform a major facelift on it soon or take a whole new direction the next time around…

]]> By: Vladimir http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-85328 Vladimir Thu, 18 Jan 2007 16:43:33 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-85328 <p>i think the r56 looks just awful. no subtlety, lacking complimentary proportions, and in virtually every choice made, in my opinion, it looks cheaper. i just can't stand it, it is so depressing to see bmw dilute the appeal and individuality of the mini so quickly in its lifetime. the new bonnet design is clumsy and lacks the beautiful lines of the r53, and, those gaps around the headlight clusters and fenders!! so far i have owned two bmw minis, but i seem to feel that, if this was the car introduced several years ago, i perhaps would not have bought it?</p> i think the r56 looks just awful. no subtlety, lacking complimentary proportions, and in virtually every choice made, in my opinion, it looks cheaper. i just can’t stand it, it is so depressing to see bmw dilute the appeal and individuality of the mini so quickly in its lifetime. the new bonnet design is clumsy and lacks the beautiful lines of the r53, and, those gaps around the headlight clusters and fenders!! so far i have owned two bmw minis, but i seem to feel that, if this was the car introduced several years ago, i perhaps would not have bought it?

]]> By: GZ http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-85303 GZ Thu, 18 Jan 2007 15:32:55 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-85303 <p>Yes LL. The aux guages(available for R56?) are a must. I loved them on my '05 for filling up the empty space with something cool and functional.</p> Yes LL. The aux guages(available for R56?) are a must. I loved them on my ’05 for filling up the empty space with something cool and functional.

]]> By: Peter http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-85008 Peter Wed, 17 Jan 2007 22:43:33 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-85008 <p>Here's my set on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uptick/sets/72157594483986717/</p> Here’s my set on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uptick/sets/72157594483986717/

]]> By: LL http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-84611 LL Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:57:29 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-84611 <p>Still can't tell from the pics... whether the bonnet scoop is functional or not. Most say it's fake, but MINI website (last time I checked) still refer to the "functional" bonnet scoop. My guess is it simply allows air into engine comparment, not so much used as a air intake for the engine.</p> <p>While I like the huge speedometer, I find the space beneath it (i.e. the center stack) somewhat bare -- make the car look like it's not quite fully equipped -- liket it's missing radio or air conditioning, even though it's all there.</p> <p>Happy to see that the turn signals of oem tail lights are orange rather than red. :-) Can't wait for mine now... It's crossing the pond when I last checked.</p> Still can’t tell from the pics… whether the bonnet scoop is functional or not. Most say it’s fake, but MINI website (last time I checked) still refer to the “functional” bonnet scoop. My guess is it simply allows air into engine comparment, not so much used as a air intake for the engine.

While I like the huge speedometer, I find the space beneath it (i.e. the center stack) somewhat bare — make the car look like it’s not quite fully equipped — liket it’s missing radio or air conditioning, even though it’s all there.

Happy to see that the turn signals of oem tail lights are orange rather than red. :-) Can’t wait for mine now… It’s crossing the pond when I last checked.

]]> By: giacomo http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-84492 giacomo Tue, 16 Jan 2007 21:56:37 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-84492 <p>I feel the new grill loses the original Mini grill connection where R50 "nailed it" with the correct amount of advancing design.</p> I feel the new grill loses the original Mini grill connection where R50 “nailed it” with the correct amount of advancing design.

]]> By: mark http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-84454 mark Tue, 16 Jan 2007 19:59:56 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-84454 <p>the scale of the new car is off everywhere, except in the form of the Clubman. I think the new design lends itself better to the stretched version. The higher beltline is too much for the R56 to absorb in scale. The Clubman stretched wheelbase allows the added inch to stretch along with it. Thus reducing the gain.</p> <p>In fact, I would bet that the new car was first designed for the Clubman ( and Euro crash zones), then penned for the R56. For me, i am going to keep my 2006 for a while.</p> the scale of the new car is off everywhere, except in the form of the Clubman. I think the new design lends itself better to the stretched version. The higher beltline is too much for the R56 to absorb in scale. The Clubman stretched wheelbase allows the added inch to stretch along with it. Thus reducing the gain.

In fact, I would bet that the new car was first designed for the Clubman ( and Euro crash zones), then penned for the R56. For me, i am going to keep my 2006 for a while.

]]> By: GZ http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-84427 GZ Tue, 16 Jan 2007 19:11:56 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-84427 <p>I feel the new grill is the best feature of the R56. Looks better than the outgoing aero kit.</p> I feel the new grill is the best feature of the R56. Looks better than the outgoing aero kit.

]]> By: scottinbend http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-84281 scottinbend Tue, 16 Jan 2007 15:11:37 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-84281 <p>Aaron, that shot looking down between the front seats shows a couple of knobs. Would those be the seat back adjusters? I hope so. My 78 VW Scirocco had adjusters like that and I loved them. Was very easy to get the seat back just where you wanted it.</p> <p>Great pic's by the way!</p> Aaron, that shot looking down between the front seats shows a couple of knobs. Would those be the seat back adjusters? I hope so. My 78 VW Scirocco had adjusters like that and I loved them. Was very easy to get the seat back just where you wanted it.

Great pic’s by the way!

]]> By: Bob http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-84167 Bob Tue, 16 Jan 2007 09:57:25 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-84167 <p>If I remember correctly, Stephenson's split grill concept was a further emphasis of the jutting jaw Bulldog inspiration...stance and cheekiness included. Brilliant in my book! I don't see any inspiration in the new grill.</p> If I remember correctly, Stephenson’s split grill concept was a further emphasis of the jutting jaw Bulldog inspiration…stance and cheekiness included. Brilliant in my book! I don’t see any inspiration in the new grill.

]]> By: RH http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-84068 RH Tue, 16 Jan 2007 04:10:22 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-84068 <p>Well... As much as every other person hates the R56, I certainly don't miss Stephenson's split grill on the previous generation (I don't miss the squeaks from the dash either)....</p> Well… As much as every other person hates the R56, I certainly don’t miss Stephenson’s split grill on the previous generation (I don’t miss the squeaks from the dash either)….

]]> By: GZ http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-83872 GZ Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:07:29 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-83872 <p>I like the interior however I am hoping aux guages will be available to fill some space and create more of the orange glow dials I love at night.</p> I like the interior however I am hoping aux guages will be available to fill some space and create more of the orange glow dials I love at night.

]]> By: The Seeker http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-83813 The Seeker Mon, 15 Jan 2007 16:46:11 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-83813 <p>I still think the speedometer, center stack and side marker lights look a little too Dr. Suess. It's a shame. I too mourn the loss of subtlety that Stephenson’s design had.</p> I still think the speedometer, center stack and side marker lights look a little too Dr. Suess. It’s a shame. I too mourn the loss of subtlety that Stephenson’s design had.

]]> By: Pedro http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-83786 Pedro Mon, 15 Jan 2007 15:08:20 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-83786 <p>Luis - thanks again for the great pics! If anyone wants Luis's detailed take on what is in those pics, I posted his impressions as well - http://www.motoringfun.com/2007/01/13/my-first-impressions-of-the-r56-mini/</p> Luis – thanks again for the great pics! If anyone wants Luis’s detailed take on what is in those pics, I posted his impressions as well – http://www.motoringfun.com/2007/01/13/my-first-impressions-of-the-r56-mini/

]]> By: luis http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-83782 luis Mon, 15 Jan 2007 14:50:05 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-83782 <p>What are those wires running under the A-pillars in the open door shots of the interiors?</p> <p>Those are wires for the in-car lights they use at the shows.. It scared me at first when I saw them, but I soon realized they were there only for the show.</p> What are those wires running under the A-pillars in the open door shots of the interiors?

Those are wires for the in-car lights they use at the shows.. It scared me at first when I saw them, but I soon realized they were there only for the show.

]]> By: vin. http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-83620 vin. Mon, 15 Jan 2007 06:42:25 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-83620 <p>What are those wires running under the A-pillars in the open door shots of the interiors?</p> What are those wires running under the A-pillars in the open door shots of the interiors?

]]> By: Vanwall http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-83616 Vanwall Mon, 15 Jan 2007 05:24:45 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-83616 <p>I mourn the loss of subtlety that Stephenson's design had, but its look is still not nearly as busy as some other cars on the market, thank you very much. The codpiece is an ugly design element, IMHO, and the silver plastic on some of the interior bits is sadly reminiscent of cheesy kid's toys from the seventies, altho if that's the intent, they're spot-on. ;-) Still too much muchness rearward for me, but we're scheduled for a wagon this iteration, so it's a moot point here. Thanks for all the piccies!</p> <pre><code> BCNU, Rob in dago </code></pre> I mourn the loss of subtlety that Stephenson’s design had, but its look is still not nearly as busy as some other cars on the market, thank you very much. The codpiece is an ugly design element, IMHO, and the silver plastic on some of the interior bits is sadly reminiscent of cheesy kid’s toys from the seventies, altho if that’s the intent, they’re spot-on. ;-) Still too much muchness rearward for me, but we’re scheduled for a wagon this iteration, so it’s a moot point here. Thanks for all the piccies!

  BCNU,
Rob in dago
]]> By: Shamus http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-83599 Shamus Mon, 15 Jan 2007 04:04:22 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-83599 <p>Don't worry Aaron, those sidemarkers will surely be redesigned in the aftermarket, just like the R53's.</p> Don’t worry Aaron, those sidemarkers will surely be redesigned in the aftermarket, just like the R53′s.

]]> By: Aaron Cornaby http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-83587 Aaron Cornaby Mon, 15 Jan 2007 03:08:47 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-83587 <p>...carpeted boot sidewalls, completely STUFFED engine bay, new JCW upper stress bar, current OEM armrest fits new center console!!!, new gas cap...</p> <p>and CHEAP, plastic-junk-toy looking side markers...can you say 'playschooooooool'? They are the biggest design flaw in the car, aside from the center stack and fairly hunky/beefy overall rear section that looks like it had a few too many thanksgiving dinners....</p> …carpeted boot sidewalls, completely STUFFED engine bay, new JCW upper stress bar, current OEM armrest fits new center console!!!, new gas cap…

and CHEAP, plastic-junk-toy looking side markers…can you say ‘playschooooooool’? They are the biggest design flaw in the car, aside from the center stack and fairly hunky/beefy overall rear section that looks like it had a few too many thanksgiving dinners….

]]> By: Pedro http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-83586 Pedro Mon, 15 Jan 2007 03:06:39 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/01/14/the-us-r56-debut-round-up-in-photos/#comment-83586 <p>There are some 2007 Detroit photos over at MotoringFun.com - http://www.motoringfun.com/image-gallery/events/2007-detroit-auto-show/</p> There are some 2007 Detroit photos over at MotoringFun.com – http://www.motoringfun.com/image-gallery/events/2007-detroit-auto-show/

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