Autocar has some new photos of a next generation MINI (MCS) test mule. This time with new super sneaky silver tape masking!
Interesting features visible in the three new photos are: the multi-link suspension, an exhaust that appears to be run straight back from the Cat, and a prominent hood bulge with what appears to be an integral mailslot for the intercooler, instead of utilizing a plastic hood scoop like the current generation MCS.
cool shots – its growing on me a bit more now that its visibile in a color other than drab….
i still think it looks a bit “inflated” in every direction – which it is. makes me love my 2005 a bit more….
A word to the wise – don’t believe a word in the last paragraph of that article.
How about the statement, “There have also been substantial alterations to the Mini’s suspension, allowing greater wheel travel”. Heard anything about that?
I was gonna say, how come they get it in September and we have to wait until January? Thanks for making us wiser!
Is it just because this is a test vehicle that the rear bumper area looks so plain? Like the color though 😉
This car is looking better and better. The new exhaust is interesting. It’ll make it very easy for the aftermarket companies to make a cat back considering it’s just a straight pipe. I’ll take mine with a 2.5″ turboback with just a cat and a resonator =)
Mike
One thing that’s really important that these pictures show clearly:
The wheels are still 4×100’s, or at least they appear to be.
Why is this important? For folks who have expensive aftermarket wheels on their current rides, they can put them on their next MINI purchase without having to incur the expense of buying another set of wheels.
This is something that Honda Civic owners will have to do if they are buying the current new Civic model, as they have switch from a 4 lug to 5 lug wheel.
So, I can now go ahead and buy a nice set of aftermarket wheels for my ’03 Cooper S, knowing that when I get a Mark II a couple of years down the road, I can switch them over!
Looks like the next gen. MINI is really shaping up, at least the exterior is. Now my only real worry is the interior design, specificly the center stack.
>How about the statement, “There have also been substantial alterations to the Mini’s suspension, allowing greater wheel travelâ€ÂÂ. Heard anything about that?
There are reportedly slight differences in the suspension that should help turning radius, the fitting of larger wheels etc…
>I was gonna say, how come they get it in September and we have to wait until January? Thanks for making us wiser!
<a href="http://motoringfile.com/index.php?s=Production+Timeline" rel="nofollow">This may help</a>.
>The wheels are still 4Ã-100’s, or at least they appear to be.
Yes – i’ve heard that they will be 4×100.
Help turning radius? Perhaps I’m naive or have only driven cars that turn like battle ships – but my MCS has an amazing turning radius. How much better could it really get?
That said, how does the current gen MINI rate with regard to turning radius? Compared to other comparable cars.
Turning radius? My ’05 MCS is a splendid car in many ways but turning radius is not one of them. We have an old Volvo 240 wagon – it turns on a dime. I don’t know how Volvo did it, but those old tanks are astounding. The MINI turns like a big boat compared to the Volvo.
>Help turning radius? Perhaps I’m naive or have only driven cars that turn like battle ships – but my MCS has an amazing turning radius. How much better could it really get?
The MINI turning radius is terrible compared with cars much larger. My <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bridger/156141406/in/set-72157594149372768/">3 series wagon</a> is in a different league when it comes to turning radius.
The new bonnet surely looks flat & shapeless, kinda like any other car on the street yuk : (
Hear, hear, for the Volvo 240! I still own an ’86;) The turning circle is a factor of two things, wheelbase and wheel angle. Rear-wheel drive cars like the 240 don’t have CV joints hindering the front wheels from turning in tighter. I can only imagine that MINI is re-designing the steering linkage to allow for better wheel angles.
I still miss my Jeep Cherokees (I had I think 5 different ones before getting the MINI); I could make a u-turn on a narrow street with no problem with them. Of course, I also wasn’t deterred by curbs, as I am with the MINI… 🙂
Traveller in Sept. 07? Can that be confirmed? I thought it would not be until ’08.