This is Not What You Think it is.
Image removed at the request of the photographer
Worldcarfans is recycling spy photos today of a MINI prototype that we saw earlier this summer. Is this the new MINI? Actually it’s a strange franken-car that is made up of an R56 body wrapped around a BMW version of the UKL1 platform. Basically a serious case of cloak and dagger meant to throw-off sites such as Worldcarfans.
So if this isn’t the new MINI why does it look like a MINI (sorta)? With the UKL1 platform destined to underpin both the small fwd BMW city car and the 3rd generation MINI, the components (including the interior) are somewhat interchangeable. That means as BMW develops the 3rd-gen MINI (code-named the F56) it’s essentially developing the new FWD BMW alongside it. It’s also the reason why we see a BMW interior in what appears to be a MINI. So yes there are bits and pieces completely hidden from our view in the images here that will end up on the F56. But they are deep within this prototype and aren’t worth any conjecture at this point.
And don’t expect any relevant information by reading the specifics within the Worldcarfans article as it’s pretty far off-base. Instead check out the MotoringFile F56 section for the best information on the web on the F5X series of upcoming MINIs.
<p>love the photo corrections you made. :)</p>
<p>queue the whiners to complain about how ugly the next mini is</p>
<p>“This NEXT mini is hideous, how can they make it so ugly.
This NEXT mini has lines and stuff that are weird…. this is preposterous [insert some 18th century words].
The horror, the disgrace….”</p>
<p>I’m having a great day.</p>
<p>Hey dude, really great comment! You have uncommon brilliance about lines and stuff. It’s a treat to read such nonsense. Keep up the great commentary and having great days. Can’t wait to read what you’ll vomit up NEXT.</p>
<p>I think you missed the sarcasm.</p>
<p>Hey, I figured something was in between his lines. Does the forum give a thumbs up to sarcasm? I think it sucks!</p>
<p>Definition: Sarcasm is a way of speaking in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant.For example.. “Wow, you’re REALLY smart !”</p>
<p>WOW! … will your brilliance ever cease? Hope not. Now the forum has a resident REALLY dumb genius … or should it be a really SMART idiot? Hell, dude, you are the GREATEST with definitions. Amazing, or should I say, you are by definition an AMAZING OXYMORON. Duh!</p>
<p>Is this guy a complete idiot or just partially — 18th century words? He’s missing more than a head gasket. His head is blown and his block is cracked! Time for the moderator to step in and rescue his pet rock!</p>
<p>I haven’t seen any reports of these mules testing in America, but I am 100% confident I saw a camo’d F56 (or whatever it is underneath) on the 405 in Carson, CA yesterday. It was actually my wife that spotted it, and asked me “what’s wrong with that MINI over there?”</p>
<p>I’ve never commented on here before, but didn’t you guys call this same prototype the next-gen model twice already…?</p>
<p>Just makes you seem smug and arrogant</p>
<p>Of course it is not what you think it is! No one would ever guess that it is the next gen Scaglietti-designed 599 GTO/second cousin of the FF and not the Mini it appears to be. The one-of-a-kind paint job was exclusively commissioned and executed by graduate students at Montessori-Arcosanti Pinwheel Academy, AZ who were also later executed by a paint-ball armed firing squad.</p>
<p>Bummer. I was hoping maybe there was something other than a cartoon dash in the Mini’s future.</p>
<p>Only ignorant people thought it was F56</p>
<p>New to site and read article at Worldcarfans. I trust the information and don’t know where you’re coming from when you say it’s “off-base.” I think your comment is off-base and irresponsible. I also noticed how lopsided your moderation is. Can’t imagine a reputable site that supports a lot of sarcastic personal malarky like yours does. Many of the comments are okay, but the statement made by the moderator about missing sarcasm is imbecilic and irresponsible. NAM would never allow such goof ball/off-base commentary, let alone coming from the moderator. My first and definitely last visit to your otherwise okay site.</p>
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