May 8th, 2012
With only one year away from a debut, we knew that we’d be seeing the real F56 test mules around Munich soon. And today they arrived. Auto Express has the first photos (which you can see here) that give us the best look yet at the 3rd generation MINI. While this isn’t camouflage free, the car is now at the stage with the actual unibody exterior and interior hard points are simply being covered up. This is much different than than the heavily disguised prototypes we had seen earlier.
That means we can actually start to get a feel of the overall shape and some details with just a few exceptions. The most notable is the front which MINI has grafted a R56 front clip onto the prototype to hide the Rocketman-like front end design.
With that said, here’s what the photos tell us.
continued →
Apr 30th, 2012
Soon we’ll start to see test mules and leaked photos of the F56, the third generation of the new MINI. These will lead up to an official online debut of the car before we see it make the auto show circuit. The F56 will signal a major sea change for MINI. Not only will it feature three and four cylinder versions of the next generation Prince engine, the F56 will share its underpinnings with BMW’s upcoming FWD 1-series. This has everyone interested in the brand scratching their heads wondering just what MINI has up their sleeve for the next generation. Will it be the Rocketman scaled up? Will it push back toward the venerable and well-loved R53? These are the burning questions many are asking, and the possibilities have inspired former BMW designer Sonny Lim to venture his own guess at what the next generation MINI could look like. continued →
Apr 27th, 2012
Ever since the six speed Aisin automatic was introduced in the Cooper for the 2005 model year, MINI fans have been waiting for something better. We can now confirm that something better is coming.
With BMW co-developing the next generation MINI alongside a new family of small, front wheel drive BMWs, MINI’s component offerings are about to get substantially better and more technically impressive. One of the more important things on that list will be a new automatic optional across the range. Through sources close to the development of the new MINI, we’ve heard rumors of two different transmissions under consideration. The first rumor points to an Getrag sourced 8-speed dual clutch transmission. The second points towards ZF sourced 9 speed conventional automatic. Either option would be a huge improvement. But there’s on that stands above the other in our opinion. Read on to find out. continued →
Jan 24th, 2012
If there’s one thing that MINI consistently gets dinged on in consumer feedback is a lack of room. Even though it’s called
a MINI, there are many markets that prize space and utility above almost all else. And MINI intends to respond. But instead of making the 3rd generation MINI hatch (aka the F56) bigger, they intend to give it more utility and more access to the space it already has. continued →
Jan 13th, 2012
We’ve seen this car before. It wasn’t the F56 then. It’s not the F56 now. Yet World Car Fans is showing off a set of photos of what they’re reporting to be a next generation MINI Cooper undergoing winter testing. While that’s a reasonable assertion, it’s not exactly correct. continued →
Jan 3rd, 2012
As those who listened to yesterday’s MF podcast yesterday found out, BMW doesn’t intent on releasing the 3rd generation MINI until well into 2013. Unlike the R50 and R53, BMW is planning on producing the R56 for a full seven year cycle typical to BMW cars. Given that the R56 was released in late 2006 that would mean a 2013 launch for the next generation MINI, code named the F56.
However what’s perhaps most alarming to MINI enthusiasts is what will come first. continued →
Jan 2nd, 2012
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Something funny happened after Michael and I finished our last podcast for BimmerFile. We started talking MINIs. And as we’re prone to do, we quickly started talking about future cars and the direction of the brand. What followed was the most efficient use of ten minutes possible to MINI fans. In short we break down when you’ll see the next generation MINI, what will be under the hood, and what will happen to the rest of the MINI range through 2015. You will not want to miss this one. continued →
