There’s has been lots of speculation recently in the press on both when the next generation MINI will be debut and when it will launch to the public. While we don’t have definitive information regarding either, we do now have some pretty strong clues.
MINI UK sent its dealers a bulletin yesterday that explained what lies ahead for the debut and release of the next generation MINI. The bulletin didn’t specify an exact launch date but it did mention that (UK) dealers will be taken on a European driving experience for the launch of the new car in October of 2006. Further it said that dealers should be prepared to invite customers to the British International Motor Show in London between the 20th and the 30th of July. While they weren’t clear on what exactly the reasoning for this invite would be, it would make sense in terms of scheduling to see the public debut of the new MINI around that time period. Granted we still expect BMW to release images and information on the new MINI through their press site before the car is publicly shown.
So what can we take away from this? I would guess that we’ll see images and information released to the press in late spring or early summer and then the public debut of the 2007 MINI at the British Motor Show in late July. After that I’d guess that full scale production would probably start around September to October with customer cars being delivered in late October to November.
We should have more information soon on specific model rollouts.
Refresh me, oh code/timeline savy ones, the R56 is the Cooper, and the Cooper S is still expected later, along wih the convertible?
In this case I’m using the R56 as a term for the entire range of new MINIs.
woo hoo!
So when would be the last month one could order a 2006 MCS and take delivery?
GMINI: Don’t get your hopes up, I think the S is still expected to arive later than the One and the Cooper. This story just isn’t being specific on the particular models involved.
So, how soon could we see the R56<em>R</em>?
an MA at MINI of St. Louis told me that, instead of 09/06, 07s wouldn’t even build until 1/07 and that 12/06 allocations are zero. anyone heard anything else like this?
my MA at EastBayMINI in CA told me last week when I placed my deposit for an 06 cooper, that I still had a few months left before they would stop taking deposits for coopers, but that for the S, they were stopping in Jan.
All I know is that it’s confirmed that the Oxford Plant is closing in Oct. for retooling. As for a time frame of when we’ll start seeing the R56 is unknown. One thing I do know is that we’ll be out of cars for a little while.
Lots of signs now that the 2006 to 2007 transition will be a disruptive one in terms of supply. Heck, MINI has said as much publicly.
There is a silver lining. Think of the strong resale values on all the cars in the field.
Anyone want to sell?
Better yet, any offers?
I have a nice new ’06 MCS in SB/S with only 1,300 miles. Complete with LSD.
i didn’t know you had an 06, Bilbo? Why so anxious to be rid of it. I love that combo!
Nice car, Bilbo…my dealer appears to be allergic to LSD, at least they’ve only ordered one of them so far. I’m so anxious to replace my loosey-goosey ’04, I’d take almost any color…but they never have any with the limited slip.
As to allocations of Cooper S’s, my dealer won’t say when the ordering deadline is. They want me to special order, but won’t talk about trade-in value until delivery (I guess they figure I’ll see the new one and want it so much that I’ll just take anything for mine). Of course, if I had just ordered the thing when I first started talking about it, I’d have been taking delivery right around next week!
what’s LSD?
Zebra – you’re kidding right? It’s a hallucinogenic drug that non-MINI drivers have to take to “experience” a taste of the fun we MINI owners get to have every time we get behind the wheel.
It also stands for Limited Slip Differential.
Dave
LSD Limited Slip Differential (Spelling?)
Hey Zebra,
the term LSD has two descriptors that I know of…1. the substance that helped the Beatles see Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, and 2. a type of final drive/differential that equally locks front wheels rotation speed, long version of limited slip differential.
Some people prefer both. Both have been seen in Minis.
Say what?
“Your comment is awaiting moderation.”
<blockquote>I’m so anxious to replace my loosey-goosey ‘04</blockquote>
“Loosey-goosey”? Please elaborate.
I don’t care…I’ll just be glad/relieved to finally see an ’07 w/o that blasted black tape plastered here and there. I am so tired of that.
Sold my 05 MCS last Sunday…….06 is in production. Yeah Baby!!
oww.. i see. now i know what LSD. it’s different than DSC right. 🙂
how does it feel whether or not using LSD? i think it cost an additional $550, doesnt it?
which one do you guys like: MCS ’06 or ’07?
Hi Zebra.
LSD is mechanical and not switchable like DSC. Both can be had on one car. DSC adjusts brake pressure and engine speed to keep your car straight in slippery situations. LSD ensures power is not being lost to a less sure tire on a heavier turn exit. I found a noticable difference in an icy parking lot at low speeds. I also found that the DSC was noticably less active and less necessary on that lot and on a Bear Mountain test drive. That’s a good thing, as DSC can slow down the engine annoyingly and even unnecessarily age brake components. LSD is having a more surefooted MINI. IMHO.
The 06 is a known quantity. A perfection of 4 years of MINI Cooper S production. The 07, well…
At the risk of going completely off-topic (OK, not just a risk, I’m sure it is OT ;)), to understand why an LSD is a good thing, you first need to understand what a “regular” diff is all about.
The problem a differential solves is this. The obvious thing to do when you want two wheels to be driven by an engine, is to connect those wheels with an axle, and with a set of two gears transfer the motion from the engine to the axle. All very cool, you’re moving.
The problems start when you want to go around a corner, because the inner wheels will need to travel less distance than the outer wheels, and that’s not possible with the axle in between your driven wheels.
Enter the differential. This is a clever collection of gears that allows both wheels to be driven by the engine, but at the same time allow them to rotate at different speeds if required.
The problem with the kind of differential that you find in most cars, is that when you start loosing grip, it tends to send power to the wheel that is turned around most easily. I.e., the inner wheel when you’re taking a fast turn, for example. Should it not be obvious, this is exactly the place where you don’t want the traction to go, because it is the wheel with the least grip, so that power is only going to be used to spin the wheel more. I’ve been told that the Mini actually is especially prone to this problem under “heavy” driving.
So, that is where the limited slip differential comes in. It only allows so much movement between the driven wheels, so that when a wheel loses grip it does not eat all available power.
thanks for the LSD info.
hmm…do you guys know where could I buy a Radio Control – MCS hyperblue?
I’ve been looking at miniusa.com, walmart, target, and other sites, I couldn’t find it. I think MINI USA has better RC car than the other manufacturer.
It’s good to have in the office so that I could race with the co-worker. 🙂
Thanks guys,
Z
<a href="http://www.excaliburproducts.com/remote_control_mini_cooper_152.htm" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.excaliburproducts.com/remote_control_mini_cooper_152.htm</a>
Not much of a model, but it is blue (hyper, maybe?)
I was hoping to get a 06 MCS, but since in 07 is going to be a renewal of the car,i was wondering does it worth it waiting for the 07?
Or the 06 are going to get some type of discounts?