It looks like the floodgates are starting to open and Edmunds.com is first in line with spyshots of those recently built 2007 MINI product mules. Here’s an excerpt from today’s edition:

>The Mini Cooper hasn’t cooled off much since its introduction in 2002. In fact, its retro styling is still so well liked that the next-generation 2007 Mini Cooper won’t look any different. We caught a recent prototype out testing with minimal exterior camouflage and found it hard to pick out the updates.

>Up front, the headlights may be taped up but their shape isn’t expected to change much from the current model. Same goes for the grille as it looks to be roughly the same design with a slightly larger air intake opening that will feed a new family of turbocharged engines. In place of the low-tech iron-block 1.6-liter will be a twin-cam, aluminum-block turbocharged four-cylinder of the same displacement. The standard Cooper will get a significant boost to 143 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque while the Cooper S will maintain its rating of around 170 hp. A non-turbocharged 115-hp Cooper may also be offered to keep the entry price low.

You can read more and see the full spyshots below:

[ Makeover coming for 2007 Mini Cooper ] Edmunds.com

MF Analysis: While there are probably no surprises in these pictures for MotoringFile readers, it’s great to see the final car taking shape outside of the auto-show circuit. It would appear that our Next Generation MINI Revealed article from last March was on the money with quite a few interior and exterior details finally emerging in these new spyshots.

Related:

[ Next Generation MINI Revealed ] MotoringFile

[ Behind the Wheel of the 2007 MINI ] MotoringFile

Thanks to Demiurgo for the tip