20 Days Until…
Time marches on and in 20 days MINI will enter into a new phase of the brand’s existence with the F56. There will be lots of debate on these pages but one thing that’s pretty clear is that we’re on the verge of a new era for MINI. New engines, an evolution of the design and a revolution of the technology inside, the F56 represents the first clean-sheet design of the car since the R50 was conceived and designed under the cloud of BMW owning and selling Rover.
What are you looking forward to? Or do you want to simply look away? Let us know in the comments section below.
For more on the F56, read on…
The Debut
MINI will be holding a standalone event at the Oxford Plant on November 18th followed by party that night in London. Then two days later (within hours if each other) the F56 will be getting its US debut at the LA Autoshow and Asian debut at the Tokyo Motor Show
The LA event will be followed by an exclusive party where we expect plenty of celebrities and “trendsetters” posing with the little star. We’ll be there to cover it all.
The Engines
The B37 and B38 3 and 4 cylinders were developed by BMW with the MINI in mind from the beginning. How did MINI make it financially viable? BMW believes in the MINI brand so much that they’ve decided to change course and develop a front wheel drive architecture that will not only underpin all MINIs, but also small BMW models moving forward. This will allow MINI to remain profitable while taking advantage of more BMW technology. When I asked MINI representatives if they were concerned about MINIs being too much like small BMWs, they turned the tables. Since the chassis and drivetrain is intended first and foremost for MINI, they consider the small BMW models to be along for the ride. Therefore the question should really be, how will those small BMWs drive and perform like BMWs? This could also be taken as a shot across the bow for all those naysayers who think that MINI has gotten too BMW-like over the years.
The B37/B38 are built on a modular platform that increases .5L for every cylinder. That means that these engines essentially 1/2 or 2/3 of the revered 3.0L BMW inline six. Crucially, both engines are now turbocharged. What that has done is re-align the models, with the Cooper joining the Cooper S in forced induction. In our minds, this makes the Cooper much more performance-oriented than before, but lets look at the numbers.
Horsepower:
– Cooper: 134 bhp (up from 121)
– Cooper S: 189 bhp (up from 184)
Torque:
– Cooper: 162 lb-ft (up from 114; a 30% increase)
– Cooper S: 207 lb-ft (up from 191)
Hitting the Dealers
MINI will be releasing the F56 to Euro dealers first around the start of the new year. Then in March of 2014 MINI USA will send the first US spec F56s to US dealers. Expect mostly pre-specced cars as MINI USA looks to flood likely dry channels with plenty of inventory.
<p>Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? I see a goldfish looking at me.</p>
<p>The full LED headlights, the 18″ 5-spoke factory GP-esque alloys, the potential in the 2.0 litre and the heads up display.</p>
<p>In reference to the darkened photo tease, the F56 looks less dark horse and more like and overjoyed anime character. This is a bad thing. We MINI fans have always had to be willing to accept the fact that many view our MINIs as “cute”. Having the face of a spritely anime character is not helping.</p>
<p>Holding my breath for some redemption in the form of the new JCW variant. Actually, holding my breath and crossing my fingers.</p>
<p>I hate to be the one to tell you, but a lot of MINI fans are fans because <em>they</em> think it’s a cute car.</p>
<p>I’m a fan of the cute factor also, at least to a point. Cuteness after all is as much a part of the Mini/MINI persona as the center speedo. I think in this case, however, the pendulum has swung to far in the direction of cuteness. Strangely, the new LED rings remind me of the eyes on the cat in your avatar. ;)</p>
<p>“cute” I’ve learned to live with. “precious”, a little harder to swallow.</p>
<p>I hope the COOPER and ONE models won’t be equipped with the COOPER S double-mouth.</p>
<p>The original Mini is still the best… long live the R53!</p>
<p>well that’s not the ‘original’ but let’s not split hairs. :P</p>
<p>The original “new” MINI you mean. And I’d argue a properly specced R50 is much better looking than the R53.</p>
<p>I agree. IMO the R50 was better looking than the R53. By the second generation I think the tables had turned, i.e. I prefer the R56 MCS to the MC. I am biased however having owned both an R50 and an R56 MCS. I actually think the F56 will surprise in the flesh and from some angles will reflect more of the classic 1960’s mini, than the R56. Photographs can be really difficult to judge…</p>
<p>Couldn’t agree more. And I believe it will. In both positive and negative ways for different tastes.</p>
<p>Features, engines and other mechanical bits seem to be nicely improved, but all that is moot, if I cannot stand the looks of the car. I am worried; worried that my eye is wandering. A divorce from MINI has never crossed my mind, until now. It might be time to consider something else.</p>
<p>Power outputs are basically the same. How in your opinion is this an improvement?</p>
<p>Power and torque on the Cooper are up significantly. Efficiency will increase on both the Cooper and the Cooper S.</p>
<p>I guess you e never heard of torque? Horsepower for brag, torque is what moves you.</p>
<p><em>Heavy sigh</em> … I’ll just hold on 2 my R53. MINI hasn’t come out w/anything I’d trade her in for … yet.</p>
<p>My exact sentiments.</p>
<p>looks like a cartoon of itself</p>
<p>I am surprised there have not been any leaked images yet. We have already seen official pics of the 2-series which will also be at the LA auto show.</p>
<p>My only hope now is that the base F56 Cooper, which I believe we’ve only seen camouflaged so far, didn’t get all the ridiculous styling elements that the Cooper S did.</p>
<p>Hopefully there is hope through the JCW. I really dislike the exterior.</p>
<p>Hope the new MINI improves its reliability. JD Powers ranks MINI dead last. I have owned four MINIs since 2002 and each new generation has had more than its share of problems.</p>
<p>There are 2 sides to that reliability issue. I’ve had 2 MINIs…an ’08 MCS hatch & my current ’12 JCW Coupe. BOTH have been great regarding reliability!!! The only issue on the ’08 was an AC heating problem at about 20K miles…was fixed without any further issues. As for my current JCW Coupe, it only had a software Bluetooth issue…also fixed with no further problems…..</p>
<p>Sure but when the car lost points in reliability because of the stereo controls being hard to use is crazy! Yes, I like the R56 refresh but the reason they did it was crazy!</p>
<p>Just move the fog lights into the bumper bar, remove the gaping fish mouth and presto we have the MINI Vision project – a rendering almost everyone seemed to like.</p>
<p>I think that the optional driving lights will most likely be relocated to the bumper bar.</p>
<p>Looks like from the above picture. There may be a frozen edition to the paint scheme. Interested to see what new colors, MINI will introduce!</p>
<p>I honestly thought this was a preview of a new Countryman… it looks tall and narrow as opposed to low and wide. Hopefully it’s just a poor illustration.</p>
<p>Oh well… everyone with an R56, R53, etc. will just see their car’s values rise. At least it’s not all bad.</p>
<p>You’re quite right about the tallness. This is because the image has been resized and the aspect ratio hasn’t been fixed. The original version of this image shows a wider lower F56.</p>
<p>Shouldn’t horseshoes be hung pointing UP for good luck?</p>
<p>oops, I didn’t see this before posting pretty much the same thing.</p>
<p>I love my R50 to death. It’s pretty much sold me completely on MINI, and nothing any other carmaker is doing appeals to me nearly as much. I’ve had it for 7 years and it’s still in great shape, but I doubt I’ll keep it for another 7. When I do trade it in, I’ll be damn glad I can trade it for a car with the same friendly and fun style, feel and demeanor, but with more power, better mileage, and improved NVH.</p>
<p>In other words: I can’t wait to see what’s next!</p>
<p>It didn’t occur to anyone @ Mini that their angel eyes are ‘bad-luck’ being horse-shoes pointing down?</p>
<p>I’ve heard that both ways. Point them up to keep the luck in, and point them down so the good luck lands on you.
Either way, it’s critical we get this right.</p>
<p>Nathaniel, have you heard why MINI didn’t do LED around the entire headlight like the Rocketman concept? It seems an odd choice when the Rocketman headlights are so great looking.</p>
<p>Haven’t heard anything specifically. If I get an opportunity to ask the MINI design team, I’ll try to inquire.</p>
<p>Looks more distinctive I think and will make a MINI instantly recognised in dark…….LED ring around the entire headlight would look too much like the BMW angel eyes headlights.</p>
<p>The lower portion is the LED turn signal.</p>
<p>Must say I am idifferent so far. The images to date really rank as being ok though far away from the wow factor of the 2002 R50. As a person that has had five MINIs and my wife still has one today I am broadly idifferent to the brand as every day I see the same car over and over with tiny variations to them. The days of most MINI drivers making the car their own 90% I see today looks like just another bought off the lot with no attempt to personalize it. While there are a lot of MINI supporters out there I think the ranks of the enthusiast MINI owner gets smaller each year with more people that are general motorist.</p>
<p>A Modern MINI magazine reader sent in this ‘spy shot’ he took of
a heavily camouflaged F56 MINI Cooper in a car park in Oxford UK.
Interestingly all of the interior was covered over with blanking
covers. I have also seen 3 & 5 door F56 coming down the production lines alongside the R56 at the Oxford Plant on a recent factory tour…..looks good in the metal…..a subtle evolutionary update.
Photo Here:-
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151955443712246&set=a.10150797684072246.461891.15244257245&type=1&theater" rel="nofollow ugc">https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151955443712246&set=a.10150797684072246.461891.15244257245&type=1&theater</a></p>
<p>Front bumper looks good. Lower lip approved. Hood looks good. It’s a Cooper with no brake ducts or a more recessed version.</p>
<p>Looking forward to:</p>
<p>1.Reviews of Car/Auto magazines, experts, reviewers of the new car.
2. Consumer feedback and reactions to the F56 after they’ve driven and used various aspects of car and the tech.</p>
<ol>
<li>Feedback to Mini USA when they call after person new car purchase.</li>
<li>New BMW Engine and no more Prince Engine</li>
<li>Better looking (and hopefully easy to use) Climate manual controls.</li>
<li><p>ZF 9 speed Automatic</p></li>
<li><p>Test driving the F56 to find out what I like and don’t like.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Not looking forward to:
1. No more center speedo
2. No more standard equip. single CD player
3. Non Mini Connect/GPS center stack (looks and all around)
4. New gauges next to Tach (especially the 1/4 moon piece on right side of the Tach)</p>
<ol>
<li>No more window toggle switches in center area</li>
<li>Start/Stop Red toggle switch (ironic they put it middle and toggle but remove window up/down toggle)</li>
<li>Center Stack light/mood ring</li>
<li>More bulbbess, bigger Mini</li>
<li>Front end including black wide long bumper thing</li>
<li>LED light ring around headlight bezel (it’s so-so but not a fan)</li>
<li><p>No more: Chill Red, no return of Pure Silver, no yellow (like a Corvette yellow),</p></li>
<li><p>Headlight controls/switch left side knee area.</p></li>
<li>Door lock/unlock and inside door handle.
There are a few other things but not as high on my not looking forward to list.</li>
</ol>
<p>FYI, the ZF 9-speed isn’t going to be available in the F56 when it launches.</p>
<p>Yes I know. But still something to look forward to. True that it will not be in the launch of the F56 but as I understand it by 2015.</p>
<p>I am still trying to get over how horrible the exterior looks. I don’t look forward to the launch at all. It’s actually depressing how they turned the front into a cartoon. Awaiting the launch of this horrid redesign is like watching your favorite team lose in the final seconds of the Superbowl.</p>
<p>I was part of the crowd that always preferred the R53, and I still
have mine. I’ll never sell it, unless i’ve got no other choice. I never liked the R56 as much until i spent a lot of time behind the wheel and learned to appreciate the refinements. I now have an R53 and an R56 GP, and though the spy shots of this car don’t exactly
have me running to the dealer waiting for a test drive(especially the double sticky taped on lower grill/brake duct thing), I’m sure it’s refinements and differences will be good for the brand and make the cars even better. I will always think losing the center speedo is a mistake and will miss seeing it, but I only really use it when I need gas and the stupid light won’t go away from the tiny tach screen.</p>
<p>Think of it this way, like Porsche used to tell us in classes, the more normal cars they sell, the more money they have for projects like the GT3, GT2, RS cars and their mad hybrid supercar, or the GP series in our case. A broader market benefits the enthusiasts.</p>
<p>I’ve been thinking of something that I haven’t heard anyone mention yet. It’s clear that no one is a big fan of the big mouth. Will there be an aero kit optional as in previous generations? Has it be seen yet?</p>
<p>I’m looking forward to hearing about how the F56 performs in both daily driving and at the track. Along with it’s fun-to-drive factor.</p>
<p>I’m thinking an aerokit will become available that changes the look of the car for the better. And that the take rate on those would likely be higher than in the past. I also can’t wait to see the creative things people will do to make the new F56 look great.</p>
<p>The base model cooper sounds like it’s getting some nice upgrades, dialing-up the driving fun, while getting great MPG.</p>
<p>The new JCW F56 has a lot of potential, will it have AWD and BHP numbers in the 240’s or higher?</p>
<p>I’m really wondering how soon we might see these new engines available in the Countryman and Paceman?</p>
<p>Given that’s it’s a completely different platform, we likely won’t see engine upgrades in the Countryman/Paceman until those models are fully refreshed in a couple years. We might, however, see auto transmission upgrades in terms of firmware given that MINI is sticking with the current hardware for the F56. So options such as the “Sport Auto” feature might become available on the R6x models.</p>
<p>Thanks Nathaniel. So it’s likely to be 2017 for a fully refreshed R6x?</p>
<p>BMW and MINI tend to do 7 year life cycles on models, but we’ve heard rumors that this generation shift might have accelerated model update timelines in an effort to get the entire lineup on the new platform as soon as possible. We don’t know for sure what that will look like, however. There are also new model variants in the mix that might further alter the model roll-out schedule. For example, the F56-based four door (think along the lines of the 4-door VW GTI) is currently expected before the refresh of the four-seat convertible, which would normally be “next” in the refresh pipeline.</p>
<p>I have seen both the 3 & 5 door F56 coming down the production lines, alongside the current R56, at the Oxford Plant UK during a recent factory tour.</p>
<p>The five door comes out next fall so that makes sense.</p>
<p>I’ve read in an earlier blog here that the new ZF 9 speed auto will become available on the 2015 model year of the Countryman & Paceman. Can anyone add to that info? If that’s true, then it would be a shame not to also offer the new 2.0L engine at the same time instead of waiting a few more years for a refresh on those models while the new F56 has a stronger, more efficient engine early in 2014……</p>
<p>That was likely speculation based on previous information that the F56 was getting the ZF. Now that that’s not happening, seems highly unlikely it’d come to other models in the MINI lineup given the re-tooling costs on an outgoing platform. If the investment wasn’t made for the F56, it’s unlikely they would they spend extra money on R-series cars in the interim.</p>
<p>I’ll wait for the later JCW in a couple of years. Lots to like, but I don’t buy the dropping the CD player. Many of us aren’t into the iTunes, ect and don’t plan too. Not in love with the tail lights either, but do like the better seats,</p>
<p>engine should be good with 2 liters… front and rear look poorly thought out or maybe to much thought. maybe the jcw will be better</p>
<p>For our consideration..</p>
<p>We’ve finally found a flattering way to photograph this MINI… with the lights off.</p>
<p>This is the best picture yet! Blackout as much as possible and show it in lowlight – almost looks cool. Not digging the S on the front grill… variants of the Toyota Corolla S had the same design, same location – same color S too (red). May need to pull that off post delivery.</p>
<p>I have to say this is the longest you guys have held off on breaking the embargo ;)</p>
<p>To my knowledge this site has never broken an embargo.</p>
<p>Ah yes. I meant second to break it ????</p>
<p>im looking forward to seeing it in official photos and videos opposed to spy shots. the interior is amazing and the new engines will be so much better. I seriously cannot wait to see the new JCW’s engine and aero kit, maybe it will take away from its fishiness.</p>
<p>I hope it will be different to drive comparing to FWD 1-series and I expect Mini seats to have that popliteal sliding thing, that S-Line seats have in Audi, or like Sport Package seats in BMW. Also it wiil be fun to have JCW F56 with AWD!</p>
<p>I hope it will be different to drive comparing to FWD 1-series and I expect Mini seats to have that popliteal sliding thing, that S-Line seats have in Audi, or like Sport Package seats in BMW. Also it wiil be fun to have JCW F56 with AWD!</p>
<p>I think, more brighter designer is necessary to BMW/MINI, like a Frank Stephenson. Because now I see inerpretation his ideas only.</p>
<p>Doesn’t change the fact this is one of the ugliest cars I’ve ever seen. No amount of lipstick will fix this pig.</p>