The Next Generation MINI Line-up: Models & Release Dates
Throughout 2013 we’ve been talking a lot about the F56 – the next generation MINI hatch. And while we’ve reported on other variants we’ve never put the full picture together in terms of what models we’ll see and when we’ll see them. Today we’re doing just that. After the break is a full run-down of MINI’s release schedule for it’s next generation F5X models (excluding any Countryman related models).
The F56
The 3rd generation “new” MINI hatch
This is the one we’ve all been waiting for and the model that will form the basis of all small MINI’s for the next seven
years.
– Debut: November 18th 2013
– European Launch: January
– North American Launch: March
The F55
The 1st generation MINI hatch five door
This is not the Clubman. The F55 is a five door (yes regular doors) MINI hatch that will be positioned between the F54 Clubman and the F56 Hatch and compete directly with the five door VW Polo and Golf
– Debut: Fall 2014
– European Launch: Fall 2014
– North American Launch: Late 2014 or early 2015
The F57
The 3rd generation MINI Convertible
The F57 will be an exact copy of the R57 with the same top with only very minor revisions. Basically an F56 hatch with the R57’s convertible top. You can check out a gallery here.
– Debut: February 2015
– European Launch: Spring 2015
– North American Launch: Spring 2015
The F54
The 2nd generation MINI Clubman
Where the F55 will have four normal forward hinged doors, the F54 Clubman will make due with one or (more likely) two suicide doors like the current car. We also believe it’ll have more of a sleek shooting-break look
– Debut: Fall 2015
– European Launch: Fall 2015
– North American Launch: Early 2016
The F59
The 2nd generation MINI Roadster/Coupe
We have yet to hear a final decision on the twins but we wouldn’t be surprised to see them either combined into one (hardtop roadster) or continue on as is. Either way we expect the following debut dates:
– Debut: Late 2016/Early 2017
– European Launch: Early 2017
– North American Launch: Early 2017
R55 Photo Courtesy of Bigblogg
<p>Where’s my Rocketman?</p>
<p>;)</p>
<p>I thought that the F58 designation was for the Spacebox/Traveller. Any updates on that model? The BMW Active Tourer is very appealing, so I have high hopes for the MINI variant–although it seems awfully close in size and function to the Countryman and Paceman.</p>
<p>F58 is the code name for the proposed MINI MPV, a variant the BMW board is said to be very enthusiastic about. Sources say that F58 will be the largest F-series MINI, larger than the Countryman, and will have an extremely versatile seating layout. The next generation Countryman 2 will become a proper SUV, sharing its underpinnings with the next gen X1.</p>
<p>As much as I dislike the R60 have to say I am very interested to see what the do with the F55. I broadly feel this is the car that should have been made origonally rather than a small crossover. Fits the needs fo more room without going to the pridictable micro SUV route.</p>
<p>Gabe….Are ‘ALL’ of these F series beginning with the F56 in Jan/Mar to have the all new 1.5L 3 cyl for the ‘base’ models & the 2.0L 4 cyl for the S models (& eventual JCW models)??</p>
<p>Depending on how reasonable the back seat room is on the 5 door hatch F55, when it debuts next fall, that could become a very popular model among the ‘smaller’ MINIs …..especially for those who don’t want to go up to the Countryman/Pacemen level!!</p>
<p>Are all of these F series to continue with the same 6 speed manual & 6 speed auto transmissions in the foreseeable future or will the talked about ZF 9 speed auto be introduced within the early part of the F56 (& other F series) intro? Is there anything more than a rumor as to when that transmission will introduced?</p>
<p>Yes and yes. The ZF 9 Speed will likely be introduced in 2-3 years.</p>
<p>Gabriel Bridger | MotoringFile.com | BimmerFile.com | BimmerCast.com | Whiteroofradio.com</p>
<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.autoblog.com</a> has pictures of the new cabrio on a flatbed trailer.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2013/11/05/next-mini-convertible-spotted-on-flatbed-truck/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.autoblog.com/2013/11/05/next-mini-convertible-spotted-on-flatbed-truck/</a></p>
<p>We linked to them in the article. We would invested in them as well but didn’t see anything in them that we hadn’t already reported.</p>
<p>Thanks for the photograph.</p>
<p>The long nose on that new pedestrian-friendly hood just kills me to look at it. And I can’t seem to warm up to it.</p>
<p>Yeah I noticed the longer bonnet as well. Did they increase the engine bay size a bit? That can’t be for a larger powerplant.</p>
<p>EU pedestrian impact regs.</p>
<p>From what I understand the new safety standards is to help prevent or soften the contact with the engine so why not push the wheels forward to negate the overhang?</p>
<p>That’s a great question. I can only speculate that reconfiguring a transmission just for that purpose wasn’t cost effective. Having the drive shafts at more extreme angles could also cause all sorts of problems like CV joint failures or excessive torque steer. The regs may also have specific rules regarding distances between the front body work and the wheels in case you clip somebody.</p>
<p>In my opinion, too long model range can wash away MINI image. BMW had to keep Rover brand. May be they need Wolseley or some another old brand for F54/55 now.</p>
<p>“and compete directly with the five door VW Polo and Golf” – lol, why golf? golf is C segment</p>
<p>In the US (MINI’s largest market) it competes directly with the Golf and the GTI. There is no Polo.</p>
<p>I have a 5 door Suzuki Swift in China and I am assuming the Mini 5 door will hit about the same size. The back doors make the car. I had a Mini hard top before. So nice being able to use the back seat easily. I fit behind myself in that car easily at 6 foot. I am waiting for the 5 door for sure. I just wish it was coming out AWD and JCW from the start.</p>
<p>Has anyone seen spy shots of the Clubman? I’ll be ready for a new mini in spring of 15 and am wondering if I should wait…</p>
<p>It’ll begin testing on European roads next year.</p>
<p>Should we expect to see F56 JCW a year after launch of the standard/S?</p>
<p>My prediction (for what it’s worth) is that the F55 5 door hatch due out next fall, could very well take some of its sales at the expense of the Clubman and even the current R60/R61 which are not due for a refresh with the new more efficient, more potent 1.5L & 2.0L engines for a few more years.</p>
<p>BMW expects the five-door F55 to be its biggest selling MINI, but make no mistake, F56 will also be a big seller. All the remaining R-series models will suffer at the expense of F55/56. In any case, despite huge investment in its Oxford Plant, BMW is likely to need most of the capacity it has in Oxford to meet the demand for these two new models. No wonder BMW has acquired a third vehicle assembly facility, NEDCAR in the Dutch town of Born, to build other MINI variants.</p>
<p>If you look at the 5th picture from the Autoblog link it show’s a Pepper White F56 below the F57 convertible. It appears that the photographer has caught the car with its left indicators illuminated. I wonder if we can take this as confirmation of the indicators being in the side scuttles rather than the wing mirrors?</p>
<p>We confirmed last spring that MINI would be keeping the indicators where they are on the R56.</p>
<p>That was an “Oh My God” Photo Bomb not knowing he was bombing a Spy Photo LOL!</p>
<p>Here’s the new convertible <a href="http://www.carscoops.com/2013/11/spied-new-2015-mini-convertible-served.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.carscoops.com/2013/11/spied-new-2015-mini-convertible-served.html</a></p>
<p>Indeed, where is the Rocketman! Such a shame it isn’t on the list.</p>
<p>Unfortunately there is no chassis for it. Damn shame.</p>
<p>F59 electric, that’s what I’ll be waiting for. By then my 2003 MINI will practically be an antique, but most cars will have an electric option, and I expect BMW to be no different.</p>
<p>F59 is the code name for the 4 door MINI Saloon (Sedan) which has recently been given the green light for production. Replacements for the current Roadster and Coupe have yet to be given the green light, as a consequence of hugely disappointing global sales figures. Electric versions of MINI’s are, in any case, a long way off because priority is being given to the i range and then to BMW models before MINI.</p>
<p>Gulp!! Sales have taken a recent dip. Wait ’til the Fs begin to loiter on showroom floors. Bring back Bangle. MINI needs design re-direction ASAP. Each generation gets more and more freaky looking. One thing for sure, the F56 will open the flood gates for reconstructive (bodywork) surgeons. On the other hand, there may be some that think its face is beautiful. All all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.</p>
<p>Bangle? What’s he got to do with it? Bangle didn’t design MINIs….</p>
<p>People also think Frank Stephenson designed the R50 in a vacuum, or that he was in charge of the process, neither of which are true. There’s a lot of lore about how MINIs get designed and when people don’t like change, the campfire stories come out in the comments.</p>
<p>Of course he didn’t design MINIs directly, but his tenure as BMW design chief certainly had positive influence on his successors, including MINI designer Stephenson.</p>
<p>Fact is it doesn’t matter who designed the gargoyle. It’s still ugly. If it is ever featured in a motion picture “Herbie” may be the only Academy member to appreciate its execution … or, should I say recommend its execution. From beautiful to passable to unbearable is not a design trend to celebrate.</p>
<p>Is it me or did anyone else notice the Countryman/Paceman style roof rails on the F56 next to the Convertible in the F57 Spy shots?</p>
<p>Yup. Hope that’s not standard for an F56. Only an option.</p>
<p>Wonder if the F55 5 door hatch due out late next fall/early ’15 will have about the same exterior dimensions & the same roughly 100″ wheelbase as the Clubman??? Will the back seat passenger leg room be the same or more than the Clubman? I think the Clubman has about 4+” more leg room than the 2 door hatch. Any specifics on those comparisons out there???…..</p>
<p>I’ll be in need of a car in the late spring of 2014- which puts the debut of the F55 too far away and still within the first model year of the F56 which I can’t handle in terms of random things that may not work well (2002-3 and 2007 MINIs were a bit notorious as is every first year BMW group product; they make quick production fixes as things happen but I need a reliable car for commuting….).</p>
<p>So, when will the R55 end production? It would seem spring/summer of 2015 unless they stop it for the F55 to be produced in which case it wold be spring/summer of 2014. Any word on that?</p>
<p>Also, 11/18 is only 11 days away…</p>
<p>My 2007 R56 MCS was reliable. The auto start/stop system worked flawlessly for the 70,000 miles / 110,000 kms that I drove from new, and a few at the time suggested that starter motors would fail prematurely. I also had the cold noise issue from the beginning, which I believe was a slightly annoying characteristic of the engine for about a minute, but it never failed to start and go. In fact after three years it felt barely run in and it took a lot of punishment (on a track of course).
Yes statistically I’m sure you’re right that you’re more likely to get some quality control issues within the first year (rattles for example), but not to the point that there’s a noticeably increased chance of the car not being reliable enough to transport you to work?
You could buy an unreliable car that has been built at any point through the car’s product life. Personally I think life is too short and I look forward to getting my hands on an F56 early next year!</p>
<p>My 03 MCS, after a few initial recall items, was dead reliable. I wonder if people who complain about their cars really maintain them. How many people know of fluid changes beyond oil, such as transmission, transaxle, power steering, brakes and coolant? How about changing your belts and hoses, even maybe the water pump at 50K miles instead of waiting for them to brake. I am just saying….</p>
<p>I followed all of the problems of the 2002 and 2003 MINIs before buying my 2004 which now has 103k obsessively maintained miles on it with only a few random things having broken in that time. I also followed the multiple complaints and rattles of the 2007 cars. The 2006 E90 out of the box and the 2012 F30 each had enough niggling issues to make staying away from an all-new model year reasonable. Maybe they wouldn’t strand you but multiple dealer trips to have little things fixed is not something I long to deal with.</p>
<p>If you get through the first 30-40k miles on a BMW product and perform the appropriate regular maintenance, I would agree that they’ll go forever. We had a 1993 E36 with a terrible list of issues in the first 40k miles which then went another 250k with just regular wear items. My dad’s 2009 R56 Cooper has 120k miles and just had one ignition coil go, nothing else besides oil and tires.</p>
<p>In reality, the best BMW Group cars are the LCI since they’ve had basically every little thing ironed out. But you can’t wait forever to buy a new car when you need one…</p>
<p>All the myriad MINIs and BMWs that didn’t give their owners fits are the stories you almost never hear. When something goes wrong, people tend to get vocal. When things go well, they’re out driving their car.</p>
<p>BMW says that it has not yet made a decision as to which MINI variants will be built in its third European assembly plant. My guess is that the four core models, F54, F55, F56 and F57 will be built at the Oxford Plant, F58 MPV and F59 Saloon will be built at the Dutch Plant, and F60 (MINI version of the next gen BMW X1) and F61 (MINI version of the BMW X2) will be built at the Austrian Plant</p>
<p>I’ve been told first up will be the F57.</p>
<p>Interesting. We know that the Dutch Plant will be stand alone, in that it will have full machine facilities, and so able to press it’s own body panels. F54/55/56/57 will share many common panels, whereas F58/59 will have unique body panels. I would have thought that it made more logistical sense to manufacture vehicles together in one place which share common parts, as with R60/61 in Austria. However, as you’ve be told otherwise, so be it :)</p>
<p>That was earlier this year so take it for what it is – I single source involved in planning and production.</p>
<p>Thanks for that. I have every confidence that your source is reliable. I have in the meantime looked a little deeper into this, and realise that I had missed the point that BMW’s mid-term plans for MINI are to concentrate production over two production plants, Oxford and Norm. If I have understood this correctly, once production of the current Countryman and Paceman ends in around two years time, MiNI production at Graz in Austria will also end. The Norm plant in the Netherlands is geographically much closer to Oxford and thus logistically more efficient than Graz. The plan is that Oxford will operate at full capacity, while Norm will have the flexibility to provide additional production capacity on a contractual, as and when required, basis.</p>
<p>Interesting thought and it would make a lot if sense. BMW has traditionally brought product in house after using third parties to launch a new segment.</p>
<p>The Nedcar plant will also be able to handle production of the FWD BMW models that share with the new MINI family.</p>
<p>MINI has plans to build 400k vehicles a year once all F-series variants come on stream. Last year 300k MINIS were built and sold, a third of which were built in Graz producing the Countryman. Oxford will only have the capacity to build 240k vehicles a year, and when production of the current Countryman and Paceman finishes in two years time, no more MINIs will be built in Graz. MINI will, therefore, need most of the 200k vehicle capacity that VDL NedCar has to offer. Ultimately, BMW needs to produce at least a million units per year off the UKL platform if it is to be profitable, which is why the UKL platform is being shared with the next generation 1-series and, in due course the next generation 2-series, to make up the numbers.</p>
<p>MINI should seriously consider offering “camo” paint (as illustrated) as an option to help disguise the contours of its sheet metal along with a set of Barnum & Bailey circus wheels. How about also offering larger tail lights and an even bigger Big Ben inside to enlarge the scale of this “beauty.”</p>
<p>Ok….I am going to beg…..please please please …..keep the clubman roofline boxy and please get the spacebox to market before I have to buy a sportwagen or heaven forbid a mazda 5. I am counting on…..nay…..depending on!… MINI bringing a six seater with a diesel in a MINI MPV. Please let me keep my family in the MINI family!</p>
<p>I beg to differ with the R60 detractors. I own the 2012 and it’s probably the best auto I’ve ever owned. (including my classic Alfas and Triumphs)</p>