Breaking: MINI to Re-examine F56 Interior Design Based on MF Reader Feedback
In a shocking turn of events, MINI corporate in Munich have released an official statement that based on the overwhelmingly negative response to the spied photos of the F56’s pre-production interior, they’re sending the MINI Design Team back to the drawing board. Way back, in fact. They’re sending them all the way back to 1958.
April 1st 2013, Munich. Official release: Due to overwhelming negative response on the MINI news site MotoringFile.com, the MINI Design Team have decided to scrap the planned interior redesign in the upcoming 2014 MINI. Instead, based on consistent feedback that the interior be in touch with its Mini roots, the team have opted to retrograde the design back to the original 1958 Mini interior design.
To stay on schedule for a fall release, they’ve worked feverishly over the weekend to integrate modern technology and conveniences that consumers around the world demand. As seen in the accompanying photographs, designers have managed to integrate airbags, infotainment, HVAC controls paired with large vents, and a stand-alone tachometer. However, there is work yet to be done. Designers are working feverishly to render a rear-view mirror larger than the classic unit, which is roughly the size of “a deck of cards.” Additionally, updated upholstery will be fitted throughout, following yet more consumer feedback that the original materials reminded drivers of “their grandmother’s couch.”
Safety considerations have not been forgotten in devolving the new MINI’s interior. Soft touch foams and plastics will be used throughout to help soften any occupant “contact” during unexpected decelerations. The team is considering departing from the original Mini even further by including seat belts.
MINI Designers were puzzled to find that once their evolutions to the original were complete, they’d arrived at approximately the interior design for the current generation MINI Hardtop. However, this still has room for improvement. The team plans to look into enlarging the navigation screen, simplifying the HVAC and radio controls, and combining the tachometer and speedometers into a single gauge cluster for better driver convenience. Finer materials are also in consideration, as well as possibly better technological integration for today’s ever more connected drivers. The final design will be unveiled later this year, and the MINI Design Team has high hopes that given all this incorporated input from the MINI enthusiast community, the newly re-refreshed interior will be a big hit with MINI fans around the world.
<p>I wish it wasn’t April 1…..and this was the truth</p>
<p>You and me both. For a microscopically fleeting moment, I actually thought that sanity has prevailed. This 4/1 post is as cruel as it gets.</p>
<p>And pigs have wings! >sigh<</p>
<p>So you are really into flying pigs? interesting.</p>
<p>LOL. Nothing wrong with blimps.</p>
<p>Ha ha, April Fools!</p>
<p>Seriously, that F56 spyshot is shit.</p>
<p>they need to seriously re-evaluate what they’re doing. they’re alienating the people that got them where they are. If I wanted a BMW I’d buy a BMW.</p>
<p>good for MotoringFile blowing off the reader feedback and making it a joke… (that’s sarcasm, because apparently we’re saying when we do that now)</p>
<p>I don’t think MF can blow off reader ‘feedback’ . . . they aren’t Mini. They can, however, take a jab at reader opinion on the first day of April 1.</p>
<p>Reader opinion that I don’t entirely disagree with, by the way.</p>
<p>Good to hear and looking forward to the opinion piece.</p>
<p>We’re publishing an opinion piece the moment it’s not April 1st.</p>
<p>Looks a hell of a lot better than the F56</p>
<p>Ha!!! And if you don’t want to buy a convertible all you have to do it turn the air on high to get a little wind in your hair……</p>
<p>This just in: Bad photoshop for April fools looks better than actual interior shot for F56.</p>
<p>IF Only…</p>
<p>All in good fun, I had a good laugh – though agree w/others, I would take this over the F56 interior.</p>
<p>This irony demonstrates how ridiculous some commentaries are
We are in 2013</p>
<p>I wish this story was real, and the previous story on the F56 interior was the April Fools.</p>
<p>Clever, doesn’t dimish a lot of our thoughts on the new interior. I loved the simplicity of the MK1 interior and now have an even bigger motivation to go backwards when hunting for my next Mini instead of looking forward.</p>
<p>I guess I am the only one who likes the F56 interior. Having been around MINI’s for over 10 years now and waching them evolve and change has been a great pleasure. I look forward to new technological advancements and refinements by BMW. My wife drives a 128 and I drive an R59 roadster – these two cars couldn’t be more different and I enjoy both cars for what they are. The BMW has the most cutting edge technology in the market, has a very upscale feel and is comfortable on long road trips. The MINI is great for around town, curvy roads along the coastline and of course, local MINI events. I have friends with Classics, 1st Gen’s, and current models..each generation has its positives and negatives but at the heart of it, it is still a MINI and still represents what we all love about this car. It’s underdog mentality, cheeky personality, the fact that it is about the most fun you can have on four wheels, and the community that surrounds it. The interior of the current MINI has been a source of contention since its introduction, I for one, feel the F56 interior is an improvement.I can’t wait to see what the next generation of MINI’s bring to the table and I fail to see how more BMW involvement is a bad thing..after all the 3 series has been the yardstick all other performance cars have been measured against for years and the MINI is that for the small car world.</p>
<p>would be funny if it wasn’t that sad</p>
<p>Love it!</p>
<p>Every year <em>one</em> April Fools story actually tricks me, and for a split second this was it. The best fake articles are always the ones we <em>wish</em> were true. :)</p>
<p>The joke will be on MINI when the F56 sales figures roll in!</p>
<p>Nice. I really wish they would keep the 1 Series steering wheel however.</p>
<p>Hopes built….. hopes shattered when I remembered the day (and also when I saw the photoshop 😛 you could have just put a picture of the R56 dashboard in, would have seemed more legit). I really, really, really will advocate the production of an aftermarket center speedo conversion kit for the F56 if that it is what it will take to ensure its survival. I drive a classic Mini, and it isn’t distracting at all!</p>
<p>Even an electronic speedo option on the larger screen option, come on MINI I’m desperate for you to listen to this. And also get those rear lights away from the boot shutline, I remember watching a video about production on the MINI UK website where one of the top fellows at Oxford banged on for ages about how the ‘island’ rear cluster was unique on the MINI and would stay with the car throughout its life! Well lets see how far that statement got us….. oh yes, an exterior and interior design process on par with that of Nissan. “We’ll put them up to the bootlid, it’s cheaper then”. It shouldn’t be about cost, it’s a premium small car, not a budget granny wagon!</p>
<p>WHAT.. a 3 spoke steering wheel? That totally ruins the brand. I’m not buying one now.</p>
<p>And you’re going to sell all the family MINIs in protest, right Steve?</p>
<p>No. Mine are perfect.. all the newer ones are wrong ;-)</p>
<p>Wow really? You’re still getting the crappy 2014 interior…not much thought went into the making of this joke Or the interior itself.</p>
<p>I would buy that in a heartbeat! :)</p>
<p>Justin, you have the correct perspective. The R58 JCW you sold me took good and bad reviews from all readers and posters, although I can say without regret that this MINI is a head turner. From little old ladies, to cops, to the motoring enthusiast, have pulled me over to sit in and be photographed with my MINI. MINI/BMW know what they area doing with design. We will just have to wait and see where thay lead us. Thanks again for the R58.</p>
<p>Hey Robert, glad to hear that your car is still turning heads and making waves, that is half the fun. As always, Let’s MOTOR</p>
<p>Just found this and thought Yes BMW have woke up to how bad
the interior looks in the F56. Honestly I think my Cooper will not be replaced
with the F56 now :(</p>
<p>I keep reading about how the current AC controls need to be “simplified”, but I just don’t see it (at least with the auto AC)… Max or auto, temp up/down, fan up/down – that’s really all I use with any frequency at all. Occasionally I’ll hit the “snowflake” button to turn off the AC if I’m driving with the windows down and sunroof open. If this is all too difficult, perhaps some folks shouldn’t be operating a piece of heavy machinery…?</p>
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