MINI Design’s Future to be More Adventurous
With the exit of our friend Gert Hildebrand MINI is entering a new era. While MINI Design under the leadership of Gert was more than successful in expanding the range and building the brand, we can’t help but think this is a good move for both parties.
The timing couldn’t be better for Anders Warming as well. Anders is coming off of the successful debut of three concepts he oversaw; the 6 Series coupe, four door coupe and the production 6 Series convertible. Beyond that Anders has overseen the most recent Z4, 5 series and X3. And he leaves BMW just as he was finishing up work on the next generation 3 Series.
He arrives at MINI just in time for an entirely new generation of cars. While initial design work on the 2013 MINI hatch is well underway, we fully expect him to have a significant level of influence over the final product with nearly two years until launch.
We also expect him and his team to start creating more visual distinction between models. According to Julian Rendell at Autocar, MINI Design will likely take more chances with the niche products (the Paceman and the Clubman for instance) while moving the next generation hatch to a slightly more aggressive, foundational design language.
In fact one statement from BMW Group Design Chief Adrian Van Hooydonk (from the Autocar article) deserves to be seen here:
>The foundation of the range — the hatchback — will set the design tone, and be close to the recent design themes, but we can expect the spin-off models to be a little more adventurous. “Of all our brands, MINI has the youngest buying profile and those are people who are more open to change.â€
That last sentence will surely be debated here and elsewhere among the MINI faithful. While the demographic in the rest of the world remains young, the average age in the US is noticeably higher. Will that older age group accept the change Van Hooydonk references? That will remain to be seen. With a vocal minority still complaining about any MINI since the R50/R53, it will be interesting to see reactions in the years ahead.
Through it all, we know the brilliant people at MINI Design have a lot of surprises in store for us. We here at MF can’t wait to see them and be a small part of it all.
<p>I’ll admit to being one of the vocal minority (read R50/53 fanboy). I am encouraged by the design direction of the Rocketman concept and I hope elements will find their way into the gen 3 hatch. I’d like to stay with Mini but the upcoming 500 Abarth has very strong appeal to me.</p>
<p>Well BMW just keep rolling out design superstars. Do other companies have such a stella/nova line-up? what is in the drinking water in Munich?, because I want some!</p>
<p>I look forward to seeing where Mr. Warming takes the brand. I will admit I am nervous in more than a few ways but I know there are going to be good and bad things about the design. Still have to say that in my view there has only been one true MINI designer that has really made the brand since it was relaunched. That is of course Frank Stephenson. I think every step since then has been built on his shoulders in one way or another. It sounds like this may be the third step in the evolution of the brand.</p>
<p>Really excited to see what is coming!</p>
<p>you had me at “he oversaw the new Z4” … that is one impressively sexy car (especially considering how garish the old Z4 was).</p>
<p>The “drinking” water’s not in Munich. It’s at Art Center College of Design.</p>
<p>Dear Mr. Van Hooydonk:</p>
<blockquote>“Of all our brands, MINI has the youngest buying profile and those are people who are more open to change.â€</blockquote>
<p>But that is STILL no reason to go off on a tangent and F+++ it up…</p>
<p>Just because you hang a MINI badge on it doesn’t make it a MINI. In some way, you must continue to bring the heritage along with the car into the 21st century for all models. Doing this for the Hardtop and not the rest is NOT useful. In order for the MINI to exist as an entity, you cannot carry the heritage solely on the Hardtop.</p>
<p>The test is this: If you can squint at the car and still recognize it as a MINI, you are probably OK.</p>
<p>Ok, I’ll take the bait:</p>
<p>With a vocal minority still complaining about any MINI since the R50/R53, and with a vocal majority (or maybe minority, not sure on this one) apologizing for and rationalizing everything MINI comes up with,</p>
<p>There. I completed the sentence, the part that was left out.</p>
<p>Despite MF’s unbridled love for the R56, the R56 was a near miss, and I fear there will be some big time issues with long term reliability. The R53 wasn’t so hot there to begin with–but the R56 managed to get an even worse JD Powers rating, and the Prince engine, although technologically a marvel, will not age well.</p>
<p>On the other hand I can’t wait to see what they’re going to do with the next generation; the three cylinder engine makes sense in the base model, and there are some very cool things coming down the pipe from a performance standpoint. As for all the variants, it does speak to the MINI heritage, but at some point, you can dilute the brand to the point where you lose sight of it’s very core. From the release, it seems like they haven’t lost focus–i.e. the coupe is still the foundation of the line–but we’ll see how it plays out.</p>
<p>With a vocal minority still complaining about any MINI since the R50/R53…</p>
<p>Yes – including the MF staff and White Roof Radio crew. How did Todd put it? A bad dream?</p>
<p>The R53 crowd never got over the eclipse of their baby. That portion of the community will always credit the R53 with all kinds of lore, and claim it is the embodiment of the brand. I’ve never seen it that way. When I test drove the R53 in 2006 it felt like a car years out if its prime. I’d so much rather look forward to the next car. The worst part of owning my Mini has been the R53 zealots. The day they fade away can’t come soon enough for me.</p>
<p>Lavardera – if the worst part of owning a Mini has been the R53 zealots, then you should be a very happy bunny indeed. You obviously weren’t in the JD survey!</p>
<p>Having said that, the Mini brand wouldn’t be where it is without enthusiasts. It’s the R53 zealots that did all the waving to each other, don’t forget.</p>
<p>Maybe a new design direction (as hinted at by the Paceman) is a good thing. I guess clowns need cars too… Not sure they can afford the price premium on a MINI, though – anyone know what the average clown makes a year?</p>
<p>@lavardera: It kind of was a car that harked back years: you had great road feel, quick steering, and it “felt” small. There aren’t many any cars today that do, thus it felt like stepping back in time to a day when the car didn’t insulate you from the elements. The R56 took a bit of each away – it has lessened the road feel, slowed the steering and feels bigger – and that’s what the R50/53 fanboys miss. The R56 may be a better car, just like a new 3 series may be a better car than a mid-80s 3 series, but while it’s more comfy and gets better mileage that’s not what we want. My R50 may not ride as smooth as a new one, but I love it that way. If you find yourself saying “I’d buy a MINI, but I think I want something that’s a bit smoother and rides better on the highway” you shouldn’t be in a MINI, IMO.</p>
<p>Of course, I’m not the marketing guy who has to sell the things either. It’s easy for me (or anyone) to type these ramblings on the internet and not have to worry about who’s buying.</p>
<p>Sorry, didn’t mean to go on a rant. I’m ususally not the guy crying about the loss of the R50/53, but the “years past its prime” comment got me for some reason. Move along – nothing to see here. :)</p>
<p>Lava never got it. Most of us don’t hate the R56. You can be disappointed without hating, a point lost on some. It’s similar to the evolution of the M3, where there have been hits and misses. The R56 could have been so much more than it was (especially the JCW). That doesn’t mean we’re hanging on to the R53 as the embodiment of the brand at the exclusion of all else, because I have high hopes for the next generation. The one thing the R56 did was make the MINI profitable, and it looks like that is going to afford BMW the luxury of building niche products that harken back to what the R53 was–a bit more raw, and a bit more direct (they will have to take care not to dilute the brand too much). We’ll see.</p>
<p>The R56 represents a different philosophy from the R53, and that’s fine, it brought MINI to the masses. Sometimes there is something gained, and something lost.</p>
<p>That being said, the R56 won’t be a collectors item. You’ll have to go to the previous generation for that…</p>
<p>A collectors item? Please, hurry up and start collecting, and fading.</p>
<p>Last word on this, but it’s safe to say in 20 years, the R53 will be iconic, the R56 a footnote in the MINI development line.</p>
<p>That isn’t to say that there may not be more iconic MINI generations on the way, but it when it’s all said and done, it won’t be the R56. In fact, even one variant of the R56 may make it–the new coupe concept. Otherwise, too many issues with the R56, and when it’s all said and done, what it brought to the table will not be the things people will remember the car for.</p>
<p>I’m done, can’t really have a cogent arguement with someone if they only see one side of the issue…</p>
<p>but what makes the R53 iconic? I would think most things could be applied to both generations. The only gen 1 car that will be a collectors item is the GP, and the Gen 2 has not had that chance to shine yet.</p>
<p>You have to look at what makes a car a colectable. Simply being the first generation of a surprise smash hit will make the R53 iconic. The GP will probably be the pinnacle of the R53 as a collectable, it’s the car I wish I would have bought. On the other hand, upkeep will be a problem 20 years from now on the GP…</p>
<p>The Gen2 is a good car, but it doesn’t do anything earth shattering. Historically, next generation cars don’t do much as collectable until/unless something comes along that really seperates it. That didn’t happen with the R56; and there are some significant concerns on how well the Prince will hold up over time.</p>
<p>The next generation may very well be the kick in the pants that MINI as an icon needs. I don’t equate sales with an icon (in fact, too many mass produced cars takes away from, rather than adds to, an iconic status). This has happened over the years with the M3-the original will always be revered, there have been a few stumbles along the way that are pretty much summed up with a simple “meh”, and then there are few models that came after the original that really shined, and have achieved the status of rarified air.</p>
<p>It’s a tough arguement to have with people who don’t see a car as something more than a sum of its parts. And I’m not trying to be judgemental, it’s a different viewpoint on what makes a car valuable–some people see it, some don’t.</p>
<p>Perspective is difficult inside the bunker. Compare the MINI brand -any generation- to all the others in the US market and it’s deserved iconic nature still sets it apart AND it’s still not for everyone. Good.</p>
<p>This topic is near-ancient and my prediction is that it will not go away until the 3rd gen car is released and starts to be test-driven. Recall the press reviews (even here on MF) of the R56 when it launched: equivocating at best, and panning it as a dilution of the gen1 car at worst. Reviews have improved since, but they have never quite become as glowing and unanimous as they continue to be for the gen1 cars. Make no mistake – this is unusual in the car review world, where the latest product is usually extolled as the greatest and all sorts of flaws are suddenly found in the previous car that were not mentioned previously. That the enthusiast and press response to the R56 did NOT follow this usual tone shows how much was / is wrong with the R56.</p>
<p>And I strongly suspect that the other shoe will drop when the gen3 car is launched: unless MINI truly disfigures the gen3 car, and/or loses all semblance of performance, you will see the press and even many R56 apologists suddenly let out a deep breath and “tell us how they really feel” about the R56 relative to not only the gen1 car but the gen3. And it won’t be pretty.</p>
<p>Back to what MINI should aim for, in a nutshell: every single model, even the bare-bones models with standard bumpers, shod with 15″ wheels, on stock suspension SHOULD LOOK SPORTING AND DESIREABLE. This is what the R50/R53 nailed a bullseye on. Mods and options made the car look more aggressive or distinctive, but every single MINI model looked fantastic and “expensive”. This is not the case with the R56, where it takes quite a bit effort with the options list and even the aftermarket (to get rid of the 4×4 ride height) before you have an appealing car. From what we have seen with the Rocketman concept, the future is looking bright for the gen3 car, so I feel MINI’s design future is in good hands.</p>
<p>Hey Goat: I’ve never in any way demeaned the R56. A lot of people love it, and I’ve seen some examples that I found terrific looking. Still, I’ve preferred the R50/53, and I’ve often questioned myself about that. Do I like it because that is what I purchased and continue to drive (along with my work car, a 5 series, which is great, truly…but not a MINI)? Am I prejudice? I know I like the connectivity of the earlier model, just like classic Mini fans feel about their cars, but why do I prefer the look of the R50/53? I too felt that it looked like a 4×4 model, but I’ve never heard or read that opinion from another. I’ve always thought it looked a bit more truck like, but you are absolutely right–or at least , I agree with your perspective. Thanks for offering your observations. I embrace the R56 and respect those who love it, and I’m sure I will find much to love about the up and coming hatch replacement…perhaps I’ll love it more than the R56 or R50/53. But for now, long live the R/50/53…it is a marvelous car, and sports a sleeker look to boot…but I’d never demean another’s preference.</p>
<p>…nothing like a good R53/R56 tiff to get the hood stirred up… :)</p>
<p>Future collector cars? What will happen to all these cars when parts are not available and the electronic modules go out? Cars aren’t built to be driven this long, heck, 60’s muscle cars weren’t either, they just have less tech to break. The most you have to worry about when restoring a car up to the 80’s is rust and rot, not the 150 computer modules these cars have. I dig that you love your MINI now but wait until something really goes wrong with it and it is not worth it or possible to fix it. Then the R53/R56 debate will mean nothing.</p>
<p>Yes, I am among the “R53 zealots” that find it challenging to abstain from expressing adoration. And although I want to accept fresh design, I cannot, in good faith, endorse that the uninspired, awkward, coarse appearance of MINI design devolution. I would love, truly love, to see a new hatch design that incorporates at least some of the visual cues (without listing them) that won the hearts and passionate ardor of many of us. I will eagerly be watching for exciting new designs from a new “adventurous” force.</p>
<p>b-, I basically agree with what you wrote. It’s one reason I held on to my R53, which is now pretty much a track toy. The R53 is really not that sophisticated–iron block Dodge engine, which is pretty much bulletproof, and parts aren’t a problem now, and shouldn’t be that difficult to come by down the road. You pay for that lack of refinement in poor gas mileage, but that’s not my focus. The electronics on the R53 are fairly straightforward as well. The lack of refinement compared to the R56 however is a plus for me; it’s a more visceral experience.</p>
<p>The R56 brings an order of magnitude of complexity over the R53–which is fine, and as you say, not a big deal if your not keeping the car together. That’s part of the reason I was less comfortable with the R56 as a long term platform; I had the choice of waiting or getting a 2006 R53.</p>
<p>I don’t hate the R56, I can see why it would appeal to some over the R53 (unlike some who can’t see how anyone could prefer the R53). It’s not for me.</p>
<p>I may buy another MINI someday, if something comes along that piques my interest the way the R53 did. But it will be more of a daily driver, not something I’ll keep forever, simply because I suspect the next gen will be even more complex, and more difficult to maintain after it’s intended lifespan. Heck, there’s even one R56 I’d consider, when the kids are a gone, maybe a Countryman type variant–a car I absolutely wanted to hate, but after spending some time in one, something I could really, really enjoy. Still not sure if it should be branded a MINI, but that’s a different can of worms.</p>
<p>Wow, I thought I was the only one who was still holding a candle for the old R53. The R56 may be more “joy” but after HPF pump failures, timing chain tensioner failures, (on a 40k JCW no less) I’ve gone back to the previous R53.</p>
<p>Ok, I’m a dinosaur, but every time I walk up to the R53, I still get a zing when i look at it. Not so much with the awkward newer car.</p>
<p>I am really hoping that with the new design head, Mini will bring back some of the original passion and connection that recently seems to have been lost.</p>
<p>can’t wait ’til the new MINI comes out for the R53 folks to raise the pitchforks again. Man, you guys are so predictable.</p>