Auto Express is at it again… this time with new info and some photoshop action of the MINI Traveler (or wagon). Here’s an excerpt from this week’s edition:
>Here’s a MINI that’s ready to travel in style! Sensational pictures in this week’s Auto Express reveal what estate buyers have got to look forward to – a load-lugger which combines chic, practicality and bags of retro appeal.
>…The estate takes on the refreshed appearance which will debut on the MINI three-door, so the front-end styling shown here will become the machine’s new face. Losing none of the existing variant’s charm, it has sleek headlamps reaching further up the wings. There’s extra chrome detailing front and rear.
>A major talking point for potential buyers will be the new MINI’s unique cabin access. An asymmetric design sees a barn-style back door on only one side. It will leave a gaping Mazda RX-8-type aperture to improve versatility, without compromising overall structural rigidity. Also, the rear gets twin van doors. The chrome surround displayed on the BMW-owned firm’s latest show cars will feature on high-spec models. Crucially, there will be space for five passengers and their luggage inside.
You can read the entire article in this week’s Auto Express or online below:
[ MINI Estate Gets in Shape ] Auto Express
MF Analysis
Auto Express does like their Photoshop don’t they? It would appear that they’ve very obviously taken the MINI Concept Frankfurt and turned down the bling a few notches. Not really groundbreaking but probably not too far removed from what we may see in the final trim. While none of the details within the article are necessarily new, AE has managed to bring together the latest info (with the help of the rendering) in a consise manner that should help folks get an idea of what’s actually coming in late 2007 with the MINI wagon. Now, about that Photoshop job…
I was at my dealer yesterday, and my SA says that the wagon will not have a hoodscoop unlike the concept shown at frankfurt.
Oh he also mentioned that the JCW GP prototype is just a taste of what we will REALLY get. It will have at LEAST 220hp (this was the lowest HP figure that MINI will reveal he says) and as for the weight, well he said that 88lbs is not what the real number will be. It will be greater, but he says that MINI won’t tell the dealers what the finl weight reduction will be.
“An asymmetric design sees a barn-style back door on only one side. It will leave a gaping Mazda RX-8-type aperture” – you say what???? Asymmetric – barn door – RX8????? Confused! I know the ‘traveller’ prototype had a double door at the back but this seems to suggest the side doors….
R
That has to be the worst photoshopped image ever! It is clearly just the Frankfurt show car melded in with an electric blue MCS….and Electric Blue isn’t even available anymore.
Given hwo often AutoExpress is wrong…about seemingly everything including the GP, I doubt ANYTHING they have to say on this vehicle.
Five passengers – that would surely require some widening of the car?
OK… If this is any indication of the next iteration of the MINI, well then, I am going to keep my ’05.
<blockquote>Five passengers – that would surely require some widening of the car?</blockquote>
Well this is AutoExpress. They have simply mis-counted 🙂
<blockquote>I was at my dealer yesterday, and my SA says that the wagon will not have a hoodscoop unlike the concept shown at frankfurt.
Oh he also mentioned that the JCW GP prototype is just a taste of what we will REALLY get. It will have at LEAST 220hp (this was the lowest HP figure that MINI will reveal he says) and as for the weight, well he said that 88lbs is not what the real number will be. It will be greater, but he says that MINI won’t tell the dealers what the finl weight reduction will be.</blockquote>
No offense to MINI sales people out there but I wouldn’t trust an most MAs anymore than the guy on the street to tell you what’s coming down the pipeline in the next few years.
I thought they were getting rid of the clamshell hood??
ken
So Gabe, are you comparing MA’s with Auto Express? 😉
<blockquote>I thought they were getting rid of the clamshell hood??</blockquote>
I’ve heard both. The last I heard is what I reported in the <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2005/03/20/next_generation_mini_revealed" rel="nofollow">Next Generation Revealed</a> story from last March.
<blockquote>So Gabe, are you comparing MA’s with Auto Express? ;)</blockquote>
I would never do that 🙂
I’ll have a cup of tea please while I wait for the first real news.
Yeah, it’s a pretty quick photoshop job alright. If you look closely, you can see where the colors don’t quite match up between the nose and the rest of the car – it’s more of a seafoam color than the blue from the original photo that’s been blended in. I CAN SEE THE MARKS FROM THE HEALING TOOL UNDER THE HEADLIGHT – LOL! The surface texture between the two is different as well. Plus the light is coming from two different directions. On the body of the car (taken from the original MINI photograph) the light source is upper left – while on the nose, it’s upper right and a different angle. Notice how the bright spectral highlight down the near side of the car suddenly stops once it gets to the bonnet. Hilarious that they try to pass this crap off as a real photograph. I mean really, it’s one thing to photoshop something together (however badly) and talk about it as a “rendering of the new MINI” – but to all out claim it as a photograph is so laughable.
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<blockquote>So Gabe, are you comparing MA’s with Auto Express? 😉 </blockquote>
MA’s would need some proficiency with photoshop before we could start drawing that comparison.
In all seriousness, the dealers don’t have much of an inside line on future product offerings until it’s officially released from MINI.
In terms of information quality of of dealerships, the MM is your best bet. My own experience these last 5 years has been that there is quite a bit of turnover with MA’s. As a result, I wouldn’t put much faith in their commentary on future products.
I guess you other MF commenter’ must have some amazing PS skills. I don’t think it’s that bad, not defending or condemning Auto Express.
Kinda getting used the that poochy front end.
Ok, well if that is were Mini is going with there cars all i have to say is that, I am GLAD that i still have my 2005 S.
I personally don’t care for the headlamps. I like the more upright appearance of what’s on my car now. Maybe that’s silly but I like it better.
<blockquote>I personally don’t care for the headlamps. I like the more upright appearance of what’s on my car now. Maybe that’s silly but I like it better.</blockquote>
I’m with you Tim. I like the more upright light as well – not so much into the Aston Martin-style headlights. I like them well enough, but I like the more upright look – more like the original Mini too.
Dmn straight. MINI has its identity with the uprights. These hoodlamps leave a real bad taste in my mouth.
Same criticism heard re the headlamps as for the Frankfurt (and Tokio) concept. I think there was some concensus back then that the headlights would not be as extreme on the production model. If it is, I will definately think twice about getting another Mini in four years time (when my lease contract expires).
I’m a MA and with the exception that we know it is coming, officially we have been told nothing more than what you read here. In fact, lots of times I find out faster from Gabe.
Regards… Steve
Funny that, steve, an MA I know claims this as his only internet MINI read, and boy does read it!
Even if this was a real car (which it isn’t) it wouldn’t have a UK ’56’ number plate as thats not released till NEXT year and would be illegal to drive on UK roads. Unless the photographer did some time travel that is…
Gabe, the above photoshop has nothing to do with me btw…. 🙂