A Car Connection reader managed to snap a handful of pictures of a MINI test mule that wasn’t a Clubman or Convertible but looked to be a standard R56 Coupe. However for those with a keen eye it looks like it could be much more. Specifically it has a couple tell-tale signs (based on information from our sources) that would indicate it could be one of two things; either the the much rumored “Stage II” factory JCW car due out in the next couple of years or an early peak at the R56 mid-lifecycle refresh. For one, the headlihts appear to have a black backing similar to the ones found in the Millionth MINI promotional car that debuted earlier this spring. Secondly the car’s front, rear and fender areas are all heavily camoflauged – exactly where we’d expect to see the factory JCW car have unique styling or a refresh to make some subtle changes.
You can check out the photos below:
[ What’s With This MINI Cooper? ] Car Connection
Be sure to check out our previous JCW coverage from last winter below for more rumors on what’s in the pipe-line for the R56:
[ JCW Future Vehicles ] MotoringFile
There’s both a Cooper and a Cooper S there. Are you suggesting that they’re both JCW mules?
Very weird. There is definitely both a Cooper and Cooper S in those pictures. Why would they both be camoed? Maybe MINI is testing both the JCW car and the Cooper D!
I think this is an indication, BMW is hard at work on the next R56 facelift. Notice the BMW “angel eyes” on the right headlight.
Cooper S
-Hood scoop looks functional, JCW?
-Headlights definately look like the black headlights used on the millionth MINI which looks agressive. JCW? or revised R56?
Cooper
-The Cooper could be a tag along for the JCW/revised R56?
-Or as Eto said maybe its the D
I’m not sure but all I want to know is are those black backing xenon’s gonna be able to be retrofitted when they come out?
Ottomann S I think thats just the chrome around the xenon like the millionth MINI had with black backing.
“-Hood scoop looks functional, JCW?”
The hood scoop was the first thing I noticed. Just the though of the hood scoop being functional got me exited!…
I bet you these are test mules for the new range of engines with BMW’s new Start/Stop feature that will help boost the MINI’s already great fuel economy and also emissions.
something tells me, dont get the 07 mini S…..YET!
the cooper is the American Spec D.
the cooper s is the American spec cooper s d.
The question is; If you were trying something top secret and didn’t want anyone to know about it, why would you park two cars in a public car park outside a Starbucks store?
Why would they go to the trouble of mounting an S spoiler to a Cooper?
By allowing “Test mules” to freely roam around streets and also letting people take photographs (Which will surely end up plastered somewhere in the Internet), MINI is creating something call “Buzz” or attention towards the product. This is a very effective marketing tool and automakers recognize that spilling some beans out of the can before the due time, helps to build up interest and excitment for their products.
They did it with the Clubman test mule back in Geneva, by driving the car around the city and creating video footage to wet people’s appetite.
As much as I would like the shots to be of the Factory JCW I doubt it is, The fact that since its both a Cooper and a Cooper S I have the feeling that its one of three things.
#1 The new factory aerodynamic kit to replace the butt ugly first attempt.
#2 One of the aftermarket manufacturing working on a body kit.
#3 A couple of aftermarket test mules.
Speaking of “butt ugly” factory body kit. I have seen a few photos on NAM and now the configurator shows it as well. Not as bad as I originally thought. Actually looks good on astro black and alot cheaper than JCW. Gabe, how about a review and photos?
$1300 in hyper sport option. $800 without SS for us JCW suspension types?
>Gabe, how about a review and photos?
I saw one in person on Saturday. My thoughts haven’t changed. Single worst thing MINI has ever done. I feel terrible sorry for the people who have ordered it.
It’t not a shinning example of what Mini can do, rather surprised when I first saw the kit. The JCW kit may cost much more but atleast it doesn’t turn my stomach to look at. Still a ways from perfection, the rear vents still look a tad tacky, the side vents I could live without,and finally the front has one feature that drives me mad, there is a split dead center on the front apron black skirting that draws my eye right to it. Still I wouldn’t hesitate to put it on the car, just so Mini’s sales can see one more example of somebody not ordering the factory kit ;).
Interesting feedback and much appreciated. I like the JCW kit front and sides but not the back. Can you buy 2/3rds of the kit? Trying to keep my order under $40,000 but the JCW kit will bust that.
I’m keeping an open mind on the factory kit till I see it. The original photo on MF(red car) was really bad but in black it’s kinda cool. I’m wide open to opinions though. Thanks!
As a self confessed Mini fanatic I would say don’t worry about what others think, if you see something on your car you like thats what its all about. Mini’s are not about conforming to the whims and wills of other people but rather making your statement. I have yet to see the factory kit on a Astro Black car, but in theory think this could be decent looking.
One thing that gets me moderately excited is that the A-panels are camouflaged. This could mean that this is indeed a face-lift, and they are changing the side-vents in the A-panels (not to say that I 100% like everything else, but those side-vents are head and shoulders above all the other little external quirks of the R56 I’m not too thrilled about – and that’s not meant in a positive way :)).
And yes, of course the big gaping hole in the position of the hood scoop on the S. Could they have moved the intercooler to the old place? 😀
I don’t see why they would have the hood scoop cut out of the plastic mask….if it has no purpose anymore……..
Odd hu?