Feb 5th, 2013
The preceding was discussed almost in its entirety last year when we walked you through what we knew (and what we could tell you) about the next generation MINI’s interior. However given some hints of new info and the constant questions we get for readers about details we’ve previously reported, we wanted to re-examine some of what we know around the technology of the next generation MINIs.
Beyond the basic details, the interior will boast a more straight-forward approach to interfacing with the car and its entertainment options. And the window into that world is about to get much larger. As we’ve reported, the next MINI will adopt a BMW-sized widescreen for displaying content. However, it’s what that screen will display, and what MINI positions around it, that’s interesting to us. continued →
Feb 5th, 2013
Sources familiar with the new interior have called the final form a huge step forward for MINI and likely one of the selling points of the new car. While these photos don’t fully show that new form, they do show a radically altered design brimming with new technology.
First let’s focus on the image itself and break-down the details of what many of you have been pouring over. What we see here is the cheapest spec interior (there will be four total) with the top finished in rough prototype plastic. The higher spec interiors will actually feature different and improved soft dash materials similar to the new 1 Series BMW. continued →
Feb 4th, 2013
today starts the beginning of an entire week here at MF centered around the upcoming and completely new 2014 MINI.
The Cladding is coming off and the next generation MINI is taking shape. As these exclusive spy-shots (via MF reader Øyvind Repvik) show, the three door F56 hatch will will feature a very similar silhouette to the outgoing R56 and the R50 before it. But don’t let the overall shape fool you, this is an entirely new car. From the drivetrain to the design in and out the F56 is the biggest re-think of the MINI since the 2001 R50.
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Jan 23rd, 2013
If you want to know the current and future state of MINI, you go to the top. And that’s what we did at NAIAS in talking with Dr. Kay Segler. We spoke to Dr. Segler about everything – there was no subject off limits. We started with JCW and the proliferation of the brand throughout the MINI range. As it stands now there’s a JCW model for every MINI model. But Dr. Segler was quick to point out that that won’t always be the case and they want to build a strong sub-brand by keeping it perhaps a little more exclusive moving forward. Yet they also want to broaden the sales of the JCW style packages across the range – much like M has done so successfully for BMW. There’s also a hint of something interesting to come if you listen carefully.
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Jan 9th, 2013
Last fall BMW trotted out a modified 1 Series hatch to a few select European journalists not to preview a car but an engine. Under the hood was the B38 3 Cylinder that will do duty in both rear wheel drive and front wheel drive applications for both the MINI and BMW brands.
Yes, this new 3 cylinder (codenamed either the N37 or B38 depending on who you talk to) will power the entire next generation MINI family starting with the F56 late this year (in both 1.2 and 1.5 variants). We’ve previewed it previously here on MF but one of our favorite automotive scribes Matt Davis has finally given us his impression on the engine. For anyone interested in the future of MINI (and BMW) small cars, it’s a must read. And it also allows us an opportunity ti update you on this new range of engines. . continued →
Nov 24th, 2012
This post is also featured over on our sister site, BimmerFile.com.
In various interviews over the past few months, BMW executives have hinted at grand plans for the UKL platform. Reported by both MotoringFile and BimmerFile, the UKL platform will spawn an onslaught of FWD models. This will make MINI more long-term viable and will drive the BMW Group to greater economies of scale. Yet just how far BMW is willing to go with FWD, and how big the MINI brand will get hasn’t really been understood until recently.
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Nov 22nd, 2012
It just wouldn’t be new MINI product cycle without some exploratory Photoshop on the part of AutoExpress. At least this time they’re admitting that the images are what the next generation MINI “could look like.” But lets be clear, this is not a rendering based on insider info. This is a shot in the dark at best. continued →
