[Updated with larger photos after the click!] MINI has been dropping hints about the interior in the R56 for several months now. Today we take a look at the progression of the interior from it’s earliest stages to the most recent test mules.
In early March MotoringFile showed a very early model of the new interior.
Later that same month a clear image of a somewhat more refined design model became available. In retrospect, this model is turning out to be a more accurate prediction of the R56 interior than even the concepts shown later in the year. It features such utilitarian items as the correct number of air vents, windshield defroster vents on the outside corners of the dash, cup holders, and a glove box.
Then in September the Frankfurt and Tokyo Concepts made their debuts. The concept interiors were remarkably close to the design model photos from earlier in the year with a few noticeable omissions – cup holders, the pillars along the central stack, the glovebox, and the air vents near the speedometer.
In these next two photos we can see how MINI is experimenting with both a two spoke and a three spoke variant of essentially the same steering wheel.
Another feature that disappeared from the design model interiors for the concept interiors was the MINI “wings” logo from just above the lower bank of toggle switches.
The latest interior photos we have come by way of Edmunds and AutoBild, and show an interior much closer to production. Some of the features that were omitted from the design models for the concept interiors are now clearly back in place – the air vents near the speedometer, the defroster vents at the base of the A-pillars, the MINI wings logo in the central stack, and the horizontal information bar embedded in the speedometer.
Anthracite Interior fans apparently have something to look forward to with the R56 – Anthracite Turn Signal and Wiper Stalks!
While these latest photos do provide quite a bit of confirmation in terms of which elements of the concept interior will make it into production, one feature not shown is the area below the central stack. Because of this, it’s unclear if the “floating” central stack will make it into production without the pillars currently featured on the R50 and R53. That said, given how closely the rest of the interior is coming into line with the design study interiors featured at the very top of this article, it is probably a safe bet that the R56 will have pillars when the final production interior is revealed.
Related:
[ Next Generation MINI Revealed ] MotoringFile
[ Clear Photos of the Next MINI’s Interior ] MotoringFile
I like the Keyless Ignition idea. I hope final production version have that.
any bets on wether or not the turn signals are the bmw spring back type?
<blockquote>I like the Keyless Ignition idea. I hope final production version have that.</blockquote>
Well you’re in luck then 🙂
<blockquote>any bets on wether or not the turn signals are the bmw spring back type?</blockquote>
Hmm… good question. That I don’t know.
I’m glad I just took posession of my 2006! (Though the real wood dash looks pretty cool.
While the 2007 interior might be constructed out of higher qauility material it just lacks ‘soul’.
A very reliable source told me the next MINI will have a tilt and telescopic steering wheel column! That’s great for the rather tall people like myself 😀
But is it truly keyless? The article stated it’s like other BMW versions, where you put the key in and push the button. Kind of a silly concept…Truly keyless would be very cool though.
Get ready for INFINITE color combos on the R56. The dash alone will have 3 different colors options.
<blockquote>Truly keyless would be very cool though.
</blockquote>
I had a chance to drive around in a truly keyless car for a couple days. It was very cool. The “key” stayed in my pocket as I walked up to the car, it unlocked the doors on it’s own without me needing to press any buttons. Then when I got in, I pressed “start”, drove around, parked, and pressed the start button again to stop the car.
The only key functions I needed were the lock button and the trunk release. The trunk release button activated a set of motors which opened the trunk. Then there was a button embedded in the manufacturer’s logo to press that would activate the motors to close the trunk.
The car also had a cool feature where the doors would snug shut on their own if they had been left ajar.
I hope some of that technology makes it’s way down the foodchain, though of all the features, the only one I’d really want to see in a MINI would be the keyless engine operation.
<blockquote>But is it truly keyless? The article stated it’s like other BMW versions, where you put the key in and push the button.</blockquote>
Yes it’s like the new 3 series system for instance. Wait… it is the new 3 series system.
<blockquote>A very reliable source told me the next MINI will have a tilt and telescopic steering wheel column! That’s great for the rather tall people like myself</blockquote>
I would assume that more of the interior would be BMW (or BMW supplier) based and thus will mimic moore features found in those cars. Therefore I’d bet that you are correct Philip.
Nom de Plume: there are more dash colour options than that already: anthracite, brilliant silver, silver patina, chili red, hyper blue, wood effect. Still others in special editions, some markets.
Bryn – I think he/she meant that there will be three different areas where there will be an infinite number of available colors.
I gotta agree with cct1 on the keyless thing and would even be kool to have a voice recognition start or finger print reader.
I like some of what is shown on the new dash but hope some of it, like the center stack, gets more attention from the design team as it seems, for my taste, a bit piecemeal. But some of it’s features sort of have a nice call back look.
Also hope wood is just an option, not into the Lounge Lizard look.
I still don’t like it. I think the interior will be the downfall of the next generation. Even if the materials are of higher quality, it looks cheap, like something that would be in an geo!
The thumb print thing would be real cool. The rental cars I have had in Europe come with a thick credit card “Key”. Like Dave wrote, you get close to it and it unlocks, you get in and push a start button. If the credit card “Key” isn’t in the car, it doesn’t start. The thought of my car recognizing me as the driver from my voice or thumb is the kind of stuff we were promised the future would hold.
I think it looks great. I can’t wait to see the Nav/iDrive in action. I personally love the iDrive in the BMW’s so I think it’s a great add to the MINI.
It’s hard for me to decide whether I like the new interior or not. I do like the new speedo–that’s pretty sweet with the little information display. I might be making this up, but am I wrong in thinking it’s supposed to be able to display information from the radio? I’m hoping any new HU will be able to display more information than the current stock one.
I’m definitely not as much of a fan of the protruding side vents, but it may look better in person.
Anthracite stalks. Woo. 🙂
To me, the dash just looks compacted in comparison to my 2005 S dash… Is it just me? Is the cost for building the 2007 models cheaper than what it costed to build the earlier models? To me this isn’t that mild of a change..
I’m not so sure about the radio speedo combo thing they have going…I guess I’m old school I like my gauges to be, err, gauges. 🙂
Something that bugs me.
Are we able to replace the radio/cd headunit cleanly?
It looks like a tremendous effort would be needed to do this.
The interior looks like an upgrade from the past few years.
less = more
The styling fits
the shapes coexist peacefully with one another.
the radio deal may make it a pisser.
TBDEForbes…….My first experience with that rental car thing you described was in Holland with a Swatch car some 6 years ago.
The protruding side vents remind me of some car I drove in the 1960’s but I can’t put my finger on it.
Nice, but I would have like it more if MINI had gone the minimalist and more sport route. On the outside as well, meaning lighter, retaining same size and adding some extra HP. Keep it simple, keep it pure.
Doug – No, it looks like we’re screwed! The new Volvo S40 line is guilty of this as well. But since I’ve pretty much given up CDs for my iPod, I’d just swap out the speakers and drop in a better amp to increase the sound quality…as long as they keep the aux input that is!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Not everyone has an ipod.
Wonder if it’ll be Sirius/XM ready.
I’m not digging all the protruding cylinder shapes from the dash. It looks like a collection of hairdryers of different sizes. I’m getting a 50s American car vibe, and that’s not really a good thing…
I definitely prefer the current to the new.
does anyone know if there is to be a white interior color like the concept…. leather or sueade (spelling?) inserts? just a thought cuz i really liked it on the concept, especially with that white exterior color.
I doubt there’ll be a white/ecru suede option, but I would do it!
I’m basically with Mark (Ohio) on this, I think. I’m not a great fan of a lot of integration either. Actually I like the old school feel of the current Mini in that it has a clearly separate radio/CD unit, that can actually be replaced with a different model without too much hassle.
Also, I agree the central pillar needs more thought. I see the very prominent Mini-logo thingy there, which I don’t think I care for much. I realise the current auto aircon also looks like a Mini-logo, but I like the way how that is subtle and you actually need to point that out to people before they realise.
I do like the latest pictures better than the very early ones, but that’s really because it has shifted more towards the current design. I still like the design of the current dash better.
All I can say is that I’m glad my ’06 is on the way.
<blockquote>I’m getting a 50s American car vibe, and that’s not really a good thing…</blockquote>
Bollocks! I want a MINI with 8′ fins! 🙂
Initially these new interior pictures had me fence sitting… but today I’d say I’ve jumped the fence and love it. I hope they float the seats!
I will definitely go for a nav next time as I didn’t with my ’02 merely because of the ugly rectangular nav screen smacked onto the center stack. It was so out of place looking before. Everything looks well integrated now. I’m thrilled to be looking forward to a Traveller with Nav… I’ll probably hit 150K in my ’02 MCS by then, so perfect timing.
It seems like they modeled the center stack after a mr. potato head! I guess this could be cool, if you can swap things out!
I am very happy that i ordered a 06′ MCS!.My personal opinion is that the new dash is awful.And this speedo is very very ugly.And what about the radio? You wont be able to get a aftermarket?
It dont matter if they put better materials,they destroyed the desighn!
As for it being XM/Sirius ready…I doubt it’ll be XM–BMW owns a substantial portion of stock in Sirius. It would be to there advantage to make it Sirius ready.
iDrive, iDrive..oh my goodness…when will they give up on that. A (maybe) good idea destroyed by German overengineering and pathetic user interface. Give it to the Japanese and they’d have a version that could actually be used w/o a Masters degree in “stick” control.
Sheesh….Oh wait, they already have…see the Infinity
use the idrive… it aint so bad… most 70 year old customers can opperate it… only magazine editors are the ones who truely complain about it… also… many people forget how much of the vehicle you can control with voice activiation… it doesn’t get any simpliar than asking your car to do something for you
I’m of the opinion that the pictures are not quite doing it justice, in real 3D it would probably look much much better than the spy shots , but I’m only guessing 😉
The “keyless” system on the BMW 3 and 5 Series has two flavors.
The standard system works just as cct1 said. You have to cram the remote into a slot on the dash, then the “START” button will work.
However, if you get the “Comfort Opening” option, you can just leave the remote in your pocket. The car unlocks if you try to open the door with the remote on your person. Hop in, and mash the “START” button, and you’re off!
The MINI will probably offer Comfort Opening as an option. With any luck, it’ll be cheaper on the MINI like the Cold Weather Pkg is.
Rawhyde
I agree that the dash looks too busy – not as simple as the current car; too may different small surfaces. It also looks as if the side vents (next to each door) extend back from the dash an awfully long ways. Speedo looks interesting but seems like it might be out of proportion (HUGE!) compared to everything else.
sigh
Gameplan:
1) buy 2006
2) wait a few years
3) drop new turbo’d engine into ’06
4) happy camper
Sorry, but these interior shots are a step back as far as I’m concerned. Not really concerned with the exterior changes being made, but also wary of buying first year redesigned model. Not willing to wait two or three years longer. Such bad timing, all of this, for me.
These photos confirm that one of the important objectives of the 2007 redesign is to reduce the cost to manufacture to keep prices near current levels. The curve at the center of the top of the current dash (over the speedo) was one of several high cost features that are eliminated in the new design. The top of the new dash is straight and the new speedo is a fixed on top type. I find the current design more visually appealing. Ordered my ’06 MCS last week.