To answer the question posed below… yes the MCS Cabrio will feature the newly redesigned Xenon lights for the 2005 model year (seen clearly in the just released photo above). Whether or not there will be further front and rear facia changes remains to be seen but word has it that they will be very subtle. One thing we know for sure, any such changes seen on the cabrio will also be seen on the 2005 MCS hardtop.

Also seen (mildly camouflaged) in the above photo is BMW's new 1 series in 5 door hatchback form. To my knowledge this is the first time both the new 1 series and the MINI have been photographed together. It provides an good size comparison between the two.