MF Exclusive: MINI’s Mid Life-Cycle Refresh

Sections: R55 (Clubman) | R56 (Coupe) | R57 (Conv.) Jun 25th, 2009 65 Comments

The R56 has been a commercial and critical success for MINI. Despite the loss of some steering feel and some of the brashful character of the R50 and R53, MINI clearly hit the mark with the car overall when it came to market in 2007. And in some ways it’s surprising how well the car has done. From a design standpoint it was evolution on the outside but revolution on the inside. The form and function of everything was rethought from the R50 to the R56 and along the way MINI seemed to have lost the plot in a couple of areas. Now they intend to fix it.

In the spring of 2010 MINI will be introducing the refreshed (or LCI – Life Cycle Impulse as it’s known in BMW speak) R56 and all its variants (ie the Clubman and Convertible). While the number of changes (major and minor) will be huge, there will be several key changes.

First and foremost, MINI intends to fix the interior. Yes, the radio controls and the heating and cooling interface will be refined and in some cases rethought. Additionally MINI will introduce some upgraded materials and subtle design changes meant to eliminate many of the complaints owners have had over the years. Or to put it another way, if you look at the top five complaints most MINI owners have, then you have an idea of what will be worked over in this refresh.

As we saw with the 2005 update to the R50/R53, MINI will also be introducing some new interior trim colors and potentially some dash options.

Outside things are a little more subtle. According to sources MINI will be updating the now signature xenon lights and refining the standard halogen units as well. The rear lights will get a mild nip and tuck but don’t expect anything too major until the next generation.

However more obviously will be the updated (and according to a couple sources) more aggressive front and rear facia on the Cooper S. The Cooper will see similar updates but we’re told to expect a more classic look there.

MINI will also be introducing at least one if not two new colors for the refresh as well. Rumors are rampant that the favorable reaction to Cannaught Green found on the ultra limited edition JCW WC50 has opened MINI’s eyes to the need for a non-metallic green. When pressed one of our sources simply said “there are some within the company that are very much in favor of the idea, now it’s just a matter of making it happen.”

So the inside and outside will be rethought and refined. But like the 2005 R50/R53 refresh, this update is going to be more the skin deep. While we don’t have specific information on changes yet, we have been told to expect some noticeable tweaks that should result in slightly different numbers at least the Cooper S.

Look for the updated models to debut at the Geneva motorshow in March of 2010 with an on-sale date late summer (the start of the 2011 model year).

Written By: Gabe

65 Comments

Daniel Mittelman Jun 25th, 2009 Link

getting a mini at the end of the year, so I guess I get my choice of 2009 or 2010. I’ll look forward to seeing the differences between the two.

robble Jun 25th, 2009 Link

Look for the updated models to debut at the Geneva motorshow in March of 2010 with an on-sale date later that summer.

Does this mean there will be no 2010 model until summer of 2010?!?!

Or.. will they introduce the update mid year model?

Brian Jun 25th, 2009 Link

I don’t think these LCI cars will see production before Sept ‘10.

The reasons… 1.It fits with the normal BMW model 7 year cycle with facelift after about 4 yrs. Full R56 production started Nov ‘06. 2.The 50th Special Editions are slated for a limited 13 month production run from August this year, so ending end of August next. (I’m sure I read that on MF somewhere – maybe the MINI UK press release?) 3.MINI & BMW wouldn’t apply an LCI to these models half way through a limited run – it doesn’t make sense and weakens the brand of the specials. 4.September production is the traditional model change/update month… thus the LCI will be a MY11. 5.The cabrio is only a year old next March, so surely too early for a facelift to be debut’d at Geneva?

Just my $0.02 worth.

Is there any news on the next generation MINI? - Page 3 - totalMINI Forums Jun 25th, 2009 Link

[...] have done a story on the facelift and looks like Summer 2010. Interior updates, possibly a little more power for MCS, [...]

illegalhunter Jun 25th, 2009 Link

Sounds like the plastic fantastic interior will get sorted out, why cant we have a plain old white Mini

James Irmiger Jun 25th, 2009 Link

Green, green, green, green, green!!!! ;)

dc11 Jun 25th, 2009 Link

thank you jesus (or in this case, gabe)!!!!!! this is the news that i have been waiting for… for a LONG WHILE. i didnt care to know the details of the interior changes. all i knew was that SOME kind of change (or just ANY) would get my money.

now i just hope they start including stuff as standard, esp on the JCW (jcw aero kit please).

god i hope they get Alpine white or something, because im getting a white mini the first day they allow me to put in an order.

dc11 Jun 25th, 2009 Link

ah crap i just reread everything. SPRING 2010???? i dont know if my current car can last till then…

Emme Jun 25th, 2009 Link

The interior changes are not as extensive as some have requested….. Rather many small tweaks (some of which WILL go un-noticed) than a few big changes.

Mark Rosenthal Jun 25th, 2009 Link

Can’t wait – fantastic news really.

Dylan Bland Jun 25th, 2009 Link

Does anyone else here get sad when they release a new model and yours becomes the old model :P

Gabe Jun 25th, 2009 Link

@Brian: Yes we fully expect these changes to coincide with the 2011 MY (which should be late summer).

rhawth99 Jun 25th, 2009 Link

Great news but I was hoping to see these changes with the 2010 models, not the 2011. Guess this means that the R56 will have a longer run than the 5 year run of the R53 (2002-2006). Can’t wait to see the new and hopefully improved center stack (bye-bye Fisher-Price).

Regarding the green color, my wife would love to see silk green make a come back on the R55.

Fred Jun 25th, 2009 Link

@Dylan: On the other hand, yours becomes the 2nd Gen Classic!

Ron Jun 25th, 2009 Link

“Despite the loss of some steering feel and some of the brashful character of the R50 and R53…”

And let’s not forget the introduction of torque steer. For me that’s the biggest sin of the R56.

JonPD Jun 25th, 2009 Link

Will be interesting to see if Mini can work over that center stack, hopefully this time they will leave the ugly stick out of the equation ;)

Gabe you nailed the primary reason I have two 06 R53 S still to this day. While I think they did a excellent job with the R56 in most regards for me personally the styling changes were not a great hit. Never have really stopped my initial feeling about the car, the fuel economy is great, performance is good, but every time I see a R56 it just feels like a bigger and bulkier car. I know this is largely just a perception but it just feels like it lost a huge amount of the character that so endeared me to the R53. I seriously dig all the Mini’s in production now and what we have seen for future models (with one notable exception).

rosvick Jun 25th, 2009 Link

I have to agree with illegalhunter and dc11: why can’t we get a proper white colour, instead of stupid pepper white. The Camden’s silver white is very attractive, but I’m a fan of simple white vehicles. White body, black roof, and I’m sold!

greg Jun 25th, 2009 Link

I’ll buy another Mini as an everyday car and garage my R52/JCW for special occasions IF they fill up the speedo with mph AND kph. PW or green JCW coupe with JCW suspension and aero kit(included) please. A nice 5 hp bump (like ‘05) too!

AN Jun 25th, 2009 Link

But giving us a non-metallic green and redoing the interior will mean there won’t be anything to complain about.

Lee L Jun 25th, 2009 Link

Kind of hilarious that they just now figured out that people want a non metallic BRG. It has only been massively requested since before the first car even was delivered.

Personally, I like Pepper White but it might be a nice change to see a standard bright white.

zm Jun 25th, 2009 Link

my ‘06 warranty is up at the end of the year. guess i’ll have to look at an extended warranty to let the r56.5 to get into circulation.

txdesign Jun 25th, 2009 Link

R53 body on the R56 chassis would do it for me.

bee1000 Jun 25th, 2009 Link

I like the idea of an Alpine White Mini as much as anyone, but Mini’s paint palette is designed to present the car as upscale, hence all the metallic paint and rich colors as opposed to “fun” colors. My guess is white-white makes the car look cheap to people. And no matter how much enthusiasts love their Minis, the company needs to sell lots more cars to people in order to stay afloat.

On another note, anyone thinking about getting an R56 would be wise to wait until next year. Brecht Mini in San Diego County currently has 55 cars in inventory! Back when I bought my 04 I think they had 3 cars, plus one Cooper and one S for test drives. Add in a refreshed model a year from now, and those 09s and 10s will be looking a lot like anchors.

iNomis Jun 25th, 2009 Link

What are the “top five complaints most MINI owners have” about the interior? And I assume you mean five most common complaints.