The boys at Worldcarfans have some new-ish pictures of a 2007 Cooper S testing mule hitting the Nurburgring. Nothing too shocking is revealed that we haven’t seen previously, just a few good perspectives on several expected changes. You can check it out below:
[ MINI Cooper S Spy Photos ] Worldcarfans.com
A couple of random thoughts on the photos:
– In the first few pictures we can see a sneak peak of the potential new MCS grille. Over a year a go we mentioned that the Cooper S would be going with a black grille that is more like the current Aero grille. With this latest picture, we seem to be seeing some evidence of that.
– Also mentioned in our original “Next Generation Revealed” story from last year was the lower air intake would be taking on a similar shape to the upper grille. In the first few photos you can see this design clearly.
– As we mentioned last year (I’m not even going to say which story – but you know!) the C pillar will not be covered in glass but will be an exposed piece of black plastic on the coupe and potentially body colored on the R55.
– The headlights are turned to the corners giving the front end of the car more of a curved shape. This will help visually hide the increased front overhang needed to pass new European pedestrian safety laws.
– Just wait until you see that side turn signal/vent 🙂
– The stock brakes looks slightly larger.
– The rear body work is stretched a few millimeters to allow for more room in the boot as we had seen in several previous photos
– The side rear windows will not open as some had theorized.
As always if you want more details check out the first story listed below….
Related:
[ Next Generation Revealed #2 ] MotoringFile
[ 2007 Cooper S Nurburgring Video ] MotoringFile
[ Next Generatin Cooper S at the Ring ] MotoringFile
My, those are some giant fog lamps. Maybe we can turn them on a blind people like all the inconsiderate SUV drivers out there that constantly have theirs on.
Wow doesn’t the exhaust look bigger? Definately a good thing a that nice turbo engine right guys?
Sorry about the typo. I meant that it is definately a good thing!!!
The greenhouse looks a little more rakish than the current car. That’s a good thing, IMHO.
Still looks like a MINI, which is a good thing. Those little details on the inner side of the headlights make it look a little cross-eyed, tho, something the present lights don’t do. I’m all for the rear quarter windows opening at the rear like the Classic – excellent ventilation that might keep the need for air-conditioning and fans running to a minimum. Must keep the grille intakes split, tho, otherwise it would look too snouty-audi.
BCNU,
Rob in Dago
Not sure I’m seeing this correct but does there appear to be a key slot on the passenger side door handle? Maybe it’s just a universal mule that has the British doors.
I know they have to conform to the Euro Ped laws but the hood/bonnet seems way too bulbous for my taste. Otherwise not as scary as my first reaction to the car some months back.
I’m still thinking I’m keeping my ’04 MCS a long, long time.
A Designer’s critique:
As a designer I find all the visual changes disturbing. I’m being very particular but it seems that they haven’t done anything to improve the car, only diminish its great looks. The reason I love the MINI so much is the great details in the bodywork. The apparent seamlessness of the construction and the integration of the body panel gaps into the entire design.
So many cars these days start out with a rather beautiful and rakish body design (concept cars) but when they go into production the reality of fitting plastic bumpers and doors into the car result in a myriad of unrelated panel gaps the cut through the body’s shape, sort of creating visual slices through what was originally a nice shape.
The new MINI in its first iteration as created by Frank Stephenson was so well thought out. The headlights integrated into the clamshell hood. The plastic fender trim attached to the hood. The panel gap of the rear of the hood mimic the original MINI’s weld seam and carried the windshield’ rake down to the wheel. The front bumper’s line carried all the way around from wheel to wheel. These subtle and thoughtful design solutions allowed for few panel gaps in the front end creating a very unified design. The fewer the panel gap lines the cleaner and this also contributes to a smaller appearing structure.
The new front is now riddled with panel gaps. The worst offender is that plastic fender trim is no longer attached to the hood. There is now a gap running over the wheel arch. The back of the hood gap that was visual cue to the weld seam of the original MINI now stops at the fender trim. The gap between the top of the bumper and the bottom of the hood now stops at the trim and there is a second seam in the trim lower down next to the larger fog lights. So now there are four unrelated panel gaps instead of the two integrated gaps. This makes for a visually chopped up body panel structure. Now there is also going to be a panel gaps around the headlights since they are no longer mounted onto the hood. All these gaps now give the front end the visual appearance that the individual pieces are floating apart. In the current car the entire front end is seamless and integrated. It is what gives the car a very elegant yet simple appearance. it works to make the cars appear smaller.
The rear end seems to be suffering a similar fate. The loss of the wrap around side glass is yet another element that will add a panel gap diminishing the visual simplicity. The addition of the plastic curved piece now makes the section into two panels instead of two. Again this detracts from the cars small appearance. The enlarged chrome trim over the license plate is out of scale as is the enormous fake rear grill in the lower part of the rear bumper. Honestly it looks like they hired the designer of Chevy’s HHR to work on the MINI which is too bad. All the revised elements now seem out of scale to the original panels.
All in all the cars still looks like a MINI but it isn’t as clean a design and some of the scale is being lost. It may look pretty good when it hits the show rooms but it will never be as good as the first generation which is too bad. One hopes that changes made are improvements but they have to be sensitive to the design. It seems to me that the same thoughtfulness in the original design isn’t being carried through.
Two piece rear bumper? There’s some wiggly line on the bumper that doesn’t look like disguise.
I like the flared bonnet, but I don’t like how off to the sides the headlights are – I think that will spoil how the current MINI is reminiscent of the classic.
The last sentence of the article is interesting. Speculating that the Mini Cooper gets the 143hp turbo charged version. So unless the U.S. gets introduced to the One model it would be all turbo here.
Damon – I agree to a point. However the fact that the front gaps you speak of aren’t intersecting lines makes them less of an issue. And since we have yet to see a final production car we have no idea how well hidden those panel gaps will eventually be.
From an engineering point of view the front end changes make sense. From a design point, I agree they complicate things where before there was simplicity. However with the elimination of the lower grille portion on the R50/R53, I think the new car will be both a bit more historically correct and a little less fussy upfront.
>The last sentence of the article is interesting. Speculating that the Mini Cooper gets the 143hp turbo charged version. So unless the U.S. gets introduced to the One model it would be all turbo here.
Yes that’s been the common opinion for a while now.
Does anyone know if that huge antennae is for Telemetry or talking to truckers? What type of system do they use for reading telemetry off of testers? 10-4 good buddy.
I’m just wondering if Todd’s come up with any groovy new graphic ideas for that killer bonnet bulge!
Is it just me, or do those seem to be Rear Fog lights sitting in the mesh of the Rear Bumper Cover?
Maybe not as clean looking at the current locations (In the Rear Combination Lamp or in the Center of the Rear Bumper Cover), but probably more effective.
That “boot bulge” (side and rear shots) is a bit much…hide the Wolsley Hornet and Riley Elf pictures from Chris Bangle! Let’s hope it’s a plastic/camouflage add-on…
Pete
“Just wait until you see that side turn signal/vent :)”
They’re clearly covered over–you must be holding out on us, Gabe!
In my superficial examination of the photos, the car looks a little longer and wider. Is that true or just me being superficial?
Also, I noticed that this particular car looks like it was lowered. Look at the rear wheels, do they look a little angled out to you?
I see lots of brake dust 😉
I’m trying hard to resist commenting until I see it in the showroom. But this strip tease is making it very difficult!
” The last sentence of the article is interesting. Speculating that the Mini Cooper gets the 143hp turbo charged version. So unless the U.S. gets introduced to the One model it would be all turbo here.”
“Yes that’s been the common opinion for a while now.”
Hmm don’t remember reading it anywhere, at least not as B/W as that. Last I recall reading the 143hp was thought it’d go in the ’08 traveler. So all US MINIs would have hood scoops?
Hope they don’t jack up the MC prices 2-3K in the US in that case.
>Hmm don’t remember reading it anywhere, at least not as B/W as that. Last I recall reading the 143hp was thought it’d go in the ‘08 traveler. So all US MINIs would have hood scoops?
Speculation has gone back and forth but everything we’ve heard in the last 6-8 months seems to point towards the Cooper getting the 140hp engine and the MCS getting the 170hp (both with twin scroll turbo-chargeed engines). The 2008 MCS JCW (to be released in 18 months) will be around 230hp.
Will both cars get hood scoops? Here’s a bold prediction (that may or may not be based on inside info): <b>No</b>.
Can somone photoshop the two versions of the mini. One on top of the other so as to compare the diffs from the side.
Thanks.
Damon, I agree with you. Though the new car still looks very MINI, it is losing many of those great little details you mentioned and I’m going to miss those design elements – especially around the bonnet. The car overall looks much more squatty and bulgy. Though it’s a little more aggressive look, I don’t like many of the changes. I like the Aero-style grill well enough, but I hope a slatted grill is available as well – much more like the classic Mini.
That said, the full-on side shot of the car looks much better than I expected. I’m sure the finished car will still look great, I will simply miss some of the wonderful little details on current car that are unfortunate casualties of cost-savings and pedestrian impact standards. It’ll still be very MINI, quick, nimble, and unlike anything else zipping through the twisty bits – I just think it’s lost a touch of charm.
But I can’t wait to see the final car, unclad, painted with a contrasting roof. That’ll be the real test of it for me.
It also looks to me like there are two fog lights in the new giant rear grill. I don’t like the looks of the grill or the lights in the grill. The size just seems out of scale and the lights in the grill seem like an afterthought. I much prefer the single rear reverse/fog light design. I think it is unique and part of what defined a new MINI.
I’m sad about the loss of the wraparound rear glass. That is still one of my favorite parts of my MINI whenever I wash the car. It makes it look very slick and more specialized or ‘high end’ than a regular C pilar.
The fogs on the front don’t look out of scale to me. I think the front will be fine, even it it is not as seamless/refined as the original. I think the front end will be particularly hard to judge until the cladding comes off. I hate the idea of the turn signals in the headlights. It seems like the yellow might be overwhelmed by the headlights at night.
As for the side view, I think it looks pretty good. I’m a little unsure about new vent side turn signal gimmics, but I hope it will be something innovative and cool.
Bottom line: it still looks good overall, still looks like a MINI, and should still be lots of fun to drive.
Cheers,
Pete
It’s interesting that very few of the comments about all the spy shots we’ve been seeing are really enthusiastic. I haven’t read one comment saying this is going to look better then current model. It is hard to tell but these shots are the least caomflaged we’ve seen. Most of the comment’s are along the lines of “it still looks like a MINI” or “It looks promising”. This tell you that for the most part people really love the current car so they’re sceptical about changes.
Upon further review based on these hints, if I end up with one, I would immediately find a way to mod those rear quarter windows so they would open, and give it a serious assendectomy – smooth out the transitions on the flanks at a minimum; “Baby Got Back” ain’t my MINI theme song, that’s for sure.
BCNU,
Rob in Dago
So, this thing is called the MINI Mark ll? Has that been confirmed?
=R=
No – R56.
Wow the non-wrap around rear glass is really bothering me in these photo’s. I sure hope the final production models look better.
“Can somone photoshop the two versions of the mini. One on top of the other so as to compare the diffs from the side.
Thanks.”
I have created a Gif of the two cars overlaying each other and ‘morphing’ from one to another.
if anyone wants to see it, send a mail to:
<a href="mailto:tony@thomas1240.fsworld.co.uk">tony@thomas1240.fsworld.co.uk</a>
and I’ll send it to you. Anyone want to host it…?
It’s good to know that they are keeping the classic MINI break dust!
<blockquote>LTZMTOR Apr 7th, 2006 Link
Not sure I’m seeing this correct but does there appear to be a key slot on the passenger side door handle? Maybe it’s just a universal mule that has the British doors.
</blockquote><blockquote>
It’s called Passive Access. Like the 1series BMW, the R56 will have a “Keyless” entry system. The slot is infact a little rubber button one must press to get in the car…..pointless?!?!?</blockquote>
look here for the comparison image…
<a href="http://www.mini2.com/forum/future-variants/114329-mini-morphing-gif-old-new.html#post2363386" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mini2.com/forum/future-variants/114329-mini-morphing-gif-old-new.html#post2363386</a>
actually, just click this link…
<a href="http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachmen" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachmen</a>…7&d=1144542177
oppps
<a href="http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113687&d=1144542177" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=113687&d=1144542177</a>
I like how they even taped over the MINI badge on the bonnet. My God, for a second, I didn’t know what kind of car is was:)
<blockquote>The worst offender is that plastic fender trim is no longer attached to the hood. There is now a gap running over the wheel arch. The back of the hood gap that was visual cue to the weld seam of the original MINI now stops at the fender trim.</blockquote>
The one thing that did occur to me is that the plastic fender is actually modelled after the classic Mini “special” wheelarches. These are plastic arches mounted to the side of the car to allow for wider wheels to be fitted and they have been standard on classic Mini’s from the mid eighties right until the end of production in 2000 (of course, midway through the nineties, the wider sports pack arches became available and probably overtook the standard black arches in popularity).
Have a look here for a few examples, many of the cars on this page have the black plastic arches I mean: <a href="http://www.mini-club-denmark.dk/MaanedensMiniArkiv.htm" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mini-club-denmark.dk/MaanedensMiniArkiv.htm</a>
Anyway, the point I was going to make, these arches actually obscured the bottom few centimeters of the weld that is mimicked by that gap between the bonnet and the side of the current car. So in a sense, the black trim being not attached to the bonnet but rather to the car itself and thus being one piece is more “historically correct” (and if the designers would think it be more estatically pleasing if the trim was in fact separated by a gap, I think it would be a minor problem to introduce it visually).
This mini seems to be too much build with a cost calculator.
Why buy a mini if engineering solutions become similar to other cars ?
There is no point buying a mini if it is not different from other cars.
I cant believe they dared to change that wraping rear window … they gone too far.
I’m really not happy with what I see of that rear window in the sypshots.
Very disapointed by bmw/mini on this design choice : they try to sell mini which is no more a mini for me. This mini was too much build with a cost calculator 🙁
Please, Mini, can you build an actual Mini with the 1.6 110hp diesel engine ?
In a sense I goes more “Kart like”, for the design : an assembly of cheap parts.
<blockquote>Ian C. Apr 7th, 2006 Link
Two piece rear bumper? There’s some wiggly line on the bumper that doesn’t look like disguise.
</blockquote>
I hope it is a disguise. I’m not into the rear bumper at all right now. The fake grill section looks like something was intentionally left out. If it’s functional that may be alleviated, but ATM it appears to be solid.
Actually, as I’m looking at the full-on front shot, the line on the back bumper seems to line up with the line on the front bumper. This must be where the plastic wheel arches come to. They must make all of them from only two molds (FR/RL, FL/RR) which could be a little bit of a cost saving measure.
<blockquote>It also looks to me like there are two fog lights in the new giant rear grill.</blockquote>
I’m surprised more people haven’t mentioned this. IT was one of the first things I noticed when the view came around that far, and the fact that one is still covered tells me we maybe are not supposed to see it yet.
The way the tape looks on the tails it gives the impression that they actually stick out from the body. I hope I’m wrong as I’m a little apprehensive about seeing them now – that wouldn’t look very good to me.
The roofline feel more squashed in the back then on the current model. Maybe it’s the angle of the photo’s, but to me it’s obvious the roof angles down on it’s way back, whereas the current model I feel like I have to look for it to notice it.
<blockquote>Damon Apr 7th, 2006 Link
Now there is also going to be a panel gaps around the headlights since they are no longer mounted onto the hood.</blockquote>
You can see the gap clearly in the side shot. It is also slightly noticeable off of the right front quarter panel. There is a small section of headlight visible behind the tape on the headlight, and there is a distinct line of a different shade of black between that and the hood…
The chrome on the top of the front bumper feels very out of place to me. It’s like it was laid on the front as an afterthought. Maybe with the chrome ring on the hood and the logo it wouldn’t look to bad, but the flatened appearance of it may spell it’s doom.
In all, I still wait until I see one on the showroom floor to make a final judgement.