(Updated) The Next MINI? More Images Surface of Supposed MINI Design Mock-up

Sections: Classic Mini | F56 Hatch | Rumor May 23rd, 2009 27 Comments

Update – it’s a fake! We’ve uncovered the truth after some further investigation.

A second much more telling image has surfaced from several publications purporting to be an early version of the next generation MINI. If indeed real, we originally thought this could be an early version of the cross-over. However looking at the new image it’s clear that what we have here is potentially much more interesting. The image above shows what looks to be a slightly sleeker more aggressive looking two door hatch-back. While the design looks early this could very well be a good look at the next MINI due out in 2012 or 2013. Or it could be a magazine’s attempt at fleeting fame. Time will tell.

As always look for more in the coming days and weeks ahead…

Written By: Gabe

Danny

I like the front. Better. The next question is, will that shape survive all the crash test requirements etc…
C4

Looks….Terrible!
C4

Also notice the tail light assemblies incorporated into the rear hatch, not the body work.
Buchloe

I have been looking to buy a JCW Hardtop for a while, and now it’s clear I gotta hurry and do it before this wretched thing comes out….
mike c.

I kind of like it. With the sharper lines, it looks like BMW is having a greater influence in the design. I would like it a little better with a slightly smaller grill. It seems BMW is going to change the MINI brand far more than BMC ever did. That’s not really a bad thing I guess.
Viley

Terrible… sorry, just is. I can’t find much to commend here.
greg

I can’t make an opinion from this. Too hard to leave an impression much less such strong opinions. I just hope they find a way to satisfy these dumb pedestrian impact codes so the hood isn’t swollen. And hopefully it loses the 2.5 inches it gained last time. Its a “Mini” right?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1365900163 Dave Pevsner

that’s it, i give up. i’m never buying another mini again if this is the design direction they want to take, i’m just gonna install in-wheel electric motors and a battery in my R50 and be good to go for a few decades until BMW gets its head screwed back on the right way.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=636940663 Benjamin Sidon

The front is awful, but I like that rear 3/4 shot. Definitely more aggressive overall than any of the previous BMW-owned MINIs. The character line running thru the door handle and the white roof bleeding into the rear glass are both lovely embellishments, IMO.

I’ll take one with that 180 hp 3-cylinder, please…
lavardera

let the hand wringing commence, LOL!
Viley

In my opinion this isn’t the community being in uproar over change, it’s the fact that the design characteristics that made the Gen1 cars special are getting dropped and more BMW lineup cues getting brought in, making this more of a BMW car, and less of a MINI car, imo. I mean look at the side shot. Could just be me though.
Timothy

Of course, BMW is adding 6 more inches to length, 2 more to width, and another 300 pounds in weight. Progress! :-)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1478389903 James Irmiger

I think you’re right Viley, it does look more BMW than MINI. Until I see actual photos, and not this Photoshop stuff, I’ll hold my opinion to myself.
rkw

With doors and side panels looking like that, they may as well put a BMW grill in front and make it the next 1 series hatch.

If these images are reliable, it suggests that they want to make the MINI brand more identified with BMW. Personally I think it is a mistake to adopt BMW styling cues. Having a separate brand should be a great opportunity to go in a different direction and they shouldn’t squander it.
PetkunterÃ¤

That is not the next generation hatchback, it’s the small city vehicle “MIN-i”. A Smart competitor.

At least that’s what the BMW insider at GermanCarZone says:

http://www.germancarzone.com/mini-lounge/29376-leaked-pic-new-mkiii-mini-2.html#post384166
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

@PetkunterÃ¤:I thought about this for awhile and when you look at the scale of this car that makes little sense. It’s the same size as the current r56 MINI. Furthermore I know that source. We have our own sources telling us that BMW (at least in the US) isn’t using the MINI brand because the megacity strays too much from the values.

Anyway this very well could end up being (at best) a rejected early design study. At worst it’s just a good photoshop from someone with a good imagination.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=842062365 Kevin Chau

DONT LIKE IT ! YUCK! still like my 07′ mini :)
lavardera

honestly I expected 2 or 3 people to get on it over the wheel gap by now
PetkunterÃ¤

@Gabe: I agree, it looks like it’s not far from the size of a R50/R56 in the pictures. Well, maybe only the front looks a bit short (and tall) in the lower picture. I certainly wouldn’t be too disappointed if that turns out to be the next MINI hatchback.

Then again, Scott27 has also been correct quite often, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens.
Minipuma

hideous
viley

There’s a smart and a not so smart way to identify it to BMW. The orange lights, some shifter similarities, etc, were subtle hints to BMW. This is just too overtly BMW design team inspired. And the side panels just put me ill at ease. Hopefully its just an early brainstorm. The front hood positioning really irks me
Jack

That’s it.. I am not buying another MINI after my lease is up. Their designs are getting worst every new generation.

As a proud owner of 2006′s and 2009′s MINI, 2006′s MINI is the best looking one so far! 2009′s MINI is my LAST MINI!
Minipuma

Jack, you’re jumping the gun a bit, aren’t you? Who knows what this illustration really is. It seems highly unlikely that the next generation MINI Cooper will looking anything like this (or near as ugly).
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

We’ll have an update on this car very soon that most of you will like to hear.
Scarlett O’MINI

This looks more like a Bratz version of the MINI. Could those wheels get any larger? yeesh.
MINI vanilli

The front looks too refined and smoothed over :(
lavardera

the wierd part about the front are the two feature lines coming off the lower grill and arching over the fog lamps. The wedge profile is also not sitting well with me. They pushed this with the R56 because the belt line had to rise, but if you further with it I’m not so sure it looks good. I’m thinking of the Toyota Matrix – they keep pushing the rake, and the flanks keep getting bigger and bigger.

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