MINI threw a massive party last night at the Kim Sing Theatre in downtown LA to usher in a new era. The F56 was present in both Blazing Red Cooper and Volcanic Orange Cooper S forms. Celebrities and MINI designers mingled while listening to Passion Pit and eating Korean Tacos via a Kogi food truck. In a word it was incredible.
The bigger question – is the F56 starting to look better the more you see it in the flesh? So far the answer is a resounding yes.
Check out the full gallery and videos of the introduction and MINI and BMW designers discussing the car after the break.
<p>Nice to see the basic radio. Looks a lot better than in the spy shots, with the LED light ring ‘the square peg in a round hole’ makes a lot more sense.</p>
<p>Yeaaaaaaaaaah….not really what I was getting at. Crown Spokes were only available in chrome the last couple of years…the ones in the photo look like the ones I bought with my ’10.</p>
<p>The interior is truly fantastic IMHO. The std radio looks well integrated in the round center console. You can tell the switchgear is more in line with what you would expect to find inside a BMW.
I am glad to see that in 2015, you can still get a car with real knobs and buttons and no silly touch screens.</p>
<p>Yes I really struggle with the design of those tail lights on this car and also the Paceman. They seem hugely oversized on the hatch, out of all proportion to the rest of the car. Also if the hatch handle was body color and the diffuser black it would make the rear end less bulky.</p>
<p>The black trim really helps the look!
Will that be a factory option for the Cooper and Cooper S?</p>
<p>Hiding the tach and making a huge fuel display for fuel is ridiculous.</p>
<p>I assume this is an effort to appeal to the masses, who never look at the tach. Instead, why not make the speedometer digital, or equal in size to the tach, with candy corn fuel display inside?</p>
<p>I’m expanding on ‘oldsbear’s above question…are those blackout headlight/taillight rings noted in the LA SHOW MINIS to be available as a factory standard or optional feature??? Prior to these showcars, all the F56’s were shown with chrome rings. I’m sure there are many out the who are interested in this offering!! I have my current JCWCoupe all blacked out (headlight, taillight rings, door handles, grill border, front/back MINI logo wings, waistline, etc.. But had to go to many vendors to do that…….</p>
<p>I’d like to add to my above message re the blackout trim on the MINI showcars, that the chrome ring around the grill is ALSO blacked out. Again..will this be an optional feature????</p>
<p>Are you shure that the Chrome rings are blacked out?
I’m not shure about it, but think it to be the reflected dark background, but being the grill and headlights in normal Chrome</p>
<p>As mentioned above… They are not blacked out. They are chrome. There is no black option at this time. However I’ll be asking Anders Warming about his today.</p>
<p>When designing the F56, how much of the effort was a clean sheet and how much of it was an evolution of the previous new MINI designs? Did they go back to the classic and come forward or was this grounded in evolving the current car onto the new platform?
Was the team frustrated by any of the external restraints such as pedestrian crash standards and IQS score chasing? What did they want to do and weren’t able to because of regs?
Working from the same chassis/engine platform, what was the process for working with their colleagues across the street at BMW to make sure the MINI and the 1-series remain distinctly different cars?
Is there a formal size cap in place for the external dimensions of the hardtop hatch?
What does he say to the faithful who struggle with big changes in design like this?</p>
<p>Guess the lighting at the auto show made the chrome rings around the headlights/tailllights & grill look like they were blacked out. Sure did look great in my ‘imagination’! Would be a popular option…</p>
<p>Or is that black part of the headlight in the yellow S the new ‘black headlight’ option that makes it look different but they are actually both LED? I’m not sure.</p>
<p>Will the car still be available with halogens or only led/xenon?</p>
<p>So effective with the F56, there will be no more Xenon headlights available, only the base halogens or optional LEDs? When the optional LEDs are picked for the headlights when the new configurator becomes available, will the LEDs automatically be included for the taillights as part of that option?</p>
<p>What about existing R series…is it assumed they’ll also delete the Xenons as options in favor of the LEDs when they refresh to F series?</p>
<p>Think of it as halogens remain the base option, and LEDs are the new upgraded option. Previously Xenon was the upgraded option. So yes, expect LEDs as the upgraded option for all MINIs going forward.</p>
<p>I just checked the mini uk site and their “design your mini” section is down for maintenance. Since I saw pics on mini2 that show their dealers (or at least A dealer) getting the new car, it seems their configurator might be up and running in the near future. That should give us something to hold us over with while we wait for ours.</p>
<p>Since MINI announced that the next version of MINI Connected would be Android compatible, I am SERIOUSLY considering MINI Connected, Though I still feel that Google maps is a better navigation solution than buying maps from the factory/dealer.</p>
<p>It’s really going to depend on how they implement it in this next generation. One would hope that Google Maps / iOS Maps would simply have integration into the system that would show a larger map on the car’s screen. There’s so much potential for this system, but so far that potential has gone mostly unrealized.</p>
<p>Did anyone ask if and when the android connected app is coming and when will they provide the app for all other connected system owners…also will current connected owners get an updated to new software to give some extra functionality</p>
<p>It’s already been announced. We did a story about it a couple days ago. Our info says that it’s F56-forward and will not be backwards compatible in terms of Android integration.</p>
<p>that is completely retarded…MINI seems to be hellbent on alienating every current owner by coming up with a horrid chris bangle inspired crapheap of a BMW .5 Series and now only those victims who buy this crapheap only get android integration…</p>
<p>Looks nice, but the present generation bulldog look, looks better than the new 2014 avatar. Also, the front lights with the LED rings looks cartoonish in pics (It may look better in real, but not having seen it in person, I may be wrong).
I, do, however, wonder about a few things: a) Hopefully, the new engine would be better than the Price engine that many I’m sure are happy to see go away; b) how much of MINI has gone upmarket especially in terms of interiors’s quality & how much interior is soft touch with still hard cheap palstic hidden from direct sight?
Off course MINI must maintain its uniqueness, but wish it’d take some inspiration from VW & Audi to offer a better product especially when it sells it as such and charges a premium for it as well.</p>
<p>Nice to see the basic radio. Looks a lot better than in the spy shots, with the LED light ring ‘the square peg in a round hole’ makes a lot more sense.</p>
<p>Also note that that’s the mid-level screen as well. I didn’t realize it at first.</p>
<p>What’s the resolution difference between the mid-level and the top-level screen?</p>
<p>Is their a standard option with the center screen?</p>
<p>Crown Spokes are back? Nice!</p>
<p>Nope. The 18s only come in silver in the US. They are available in white in Europe. No black… yet.</p>
<p>Back in Black ?
Think someone is misunderstood ????</p>
<p>Yeaaaaaaaaaah….not really what I was getting at. Crown Spokes were only available in chrome the last couple of years…the ones in the photo look like the ones I bought with my ’10.</p>
<p>The interior is truly fantastic IMHO. The std radio looks well integrated in the round center console. You can tell the switchgear is more in line with what you would expect to find inside a BMW.
I am glad to see that in 2015, you can still get a car with real knobs and buttons and no silly touch screens.</p>
<p>The rear is aweful. Tone down the size of the tail lights!</p>
<p><a href="http://s3.motoringfile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/IMG_4413.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://s3.motoringfile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/IMG_4413.jpg</a></p>
<p>Yes I really struggle with the design of those tail lights on this car and also the Paceman. They seem hugely oversized on the hatch, out of all proportion to the rest of the car. Also if the hatch handle was body color and the diffuser black it would make the rear end less bulky.</p>
<p>Horrible.</p>
<p>The black trim really helps the look!
Will that be a factory option for the Cooper and Cooper S?</p>
<p>Hiding the tach and making a huge fuel display for fuel is ridiculous.</p>
<p>I assume this is an effort to appeal to the masses, who never look at the tach. Instead, why not make the speedometer digital, or equal in size to the tach, with candy corn fuel display inside?</p>
<p>I’m expanding on ‘oldsbear’s above question…are those blackout headlight/taillight rings noted in the LA SHOW MINIS to be available as a factory standard or optional feature??? Prior to these showcars, all the F56’s were shown with chrome rings. I’m sure there are many out the who are interested in this offering!! I have my current JCWCoupe all blacked out (headlight, taillight rings, door handles, grill border, front/back MINI logo wings, waistline, etc.. But had to go to many vendors to do that…….</p>
<p>No. However the adapter LEDs are black inside.</p>
<p>I’d like to add to my above message re the blackout trim on the MINI showcars, that the chrome ring around the grill is ALSO blacked out. Again..will this be an optional feature????</p>
<p>No and not at this time. However I’ll ask MINI designers if it’s planned. If not I’ll tell them it’s demanded :)</p>
<p>Are you shure that the Chrome rings are blacked out?
I’m not shure about it, but think it to be the reflected dark background, but being the grill and headlights in normal Chrome</p>
<p>As mentioned above… They are not blacked out. They are chrome. There is no black option at this time. However I’ll be asking Anders Warming about his today.</p>
<p>Please beg for a dark chrome or black option for us.</p>
<p>What else should I ask Anders?</p>
<p>When designing the F56, how much of the effort was a clean sheet and how much of it was an evolution of the previous new MINI designs? Did they go back to the classic and come forward or was this grounded in evolving the current car onto the new platform?
Was the team frustrated by any of the external restraints such as pedestrian crash standards and IQS score chasing? What did they want to do and weren’t able to because of regs?
Working from the same chassis/engine platform, what was the process for working with their colleagues across the street at BMW to make sure the MINI and the 1-series remain distinctly different cars?
Is there a formal size cap in place for the external dimensions of the hardtop hatch?
What does he say to the faithful who struggle with big changes in design like this?</p>
<p>Ask him for a really nice front and Back jcw Kit and nothing that ugly as the S or aero parts we See so far</p>
<p>Amen!</p>
<p>Guess the lighting at the auto show made the chrome rings around the headlights/tailllights & grill look like they were blacked out. Sure did look great in my ‘imagination’! Would be a popular option…</p>
<p>That’s the problem with this car summed up beautifully. Trying to appeal to everyone and in the process, losing much of the original appeal.</p>
<p>Think of “The Homer” from The Simpsons.</p>
<p>OMG…BUTT UGLY.</p>
<p>Gabe, how does the Blazing Red compare to Chili Red in person?</p>
<p>BR is slightly darker and metallic.</p>
<p>Thanks Gabe. And thanks for posting all this great stuff over the past few weeks. The MINI community owes you big time!</p>
<p>Are those the xenon headlights in these photos?</p>
<p>Xenon:
<a href="http://s3.motoringfile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/IMG_4386.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://s3.motoringfile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/IMG_4386.jpg</a></p>
<p>LED: <a href="http://s3.motoringfile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/P90139302-highRes.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://s3.motoringfile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/P90139302-highRes.jpg</a></p>
<p>Or is that black part of the headlight in the yellow S the new ‘black headlight’ option that makes it look different but they are actually both LED? I’m not sure.</p>
<p>Will the car still be available with halogens or only led/xenon?</p>
<p>There are no Xenons. MINI decided to just offer halogens and LEDs.</p>
<p>So effective with the F56, there will be no more Xenon headlights available, only the base halogens or optional LEDs? When the optional LEDs are picked for the headlights when the new configurator becomes available, will the LEDs automatically be included for the taillights as part of that option?</p>
<p>What about existing R series…is it assumed they’ll also delete the Xenons as options in favor of the LEDs when they refresh to F series?</p>
<p>Think of it as halogens remain the base option, and LEDs are the new upgraded option. Previously Xenon was the upgraded option. So yes, expect LEDs as the upgraded option for all MINIs going forward.</p>
<p>Yes… There are two levels of lights:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>LEDs front and rear</p></li>
<li><p>Halogens and bulbs front and rear</p></li>
</ul>
<p>When you choose LEDs which are the same cost as Xenons currently, then you get the LED taillight as well.</p>
<p>The current R series cars WILL NOT be upgraded to LEDs with the exception of maybe the Countryman. However I wouldn’t bet on that.</p>
<p>Who’s the guy with Tony Hawk? :)</p>
<p>OK the F56 has been shown to the world… When do we get to build them in the Configurator?</p>
<p>When can we build one on the website’s configurator?</p>
<p>After the first of the year.</p>
<p>I just checked the mini uk site and their “design your mini” section is down for maintenance. Since I saw pics on mini2 that show their dealers (or at least A dealer) getting the new car, it seems their configurator might be up and running in the near future. That should give us something to hold us over with while we wait for ours.</p>
<p>Since MINI announced that the next version of MINI Connected would be Android compatible, I am SERIOUSLY considering MINI Connected, Though I still feel that Google maps is a better navigation solution than buying maps from the factory/dealer.</p>
<p>It’s really going to depend on how they implement it in this next generation. One would hope that Google Maps / iOS Maps would simply have integration into the system that would show a larger map on the car’s screen. There’s so much potential for this system, but so far that potential has gone mostly unrealized.</p>
<p>Did anyone ask if and when the android connected app is coming and when will they provide the app for all other connected system owners…also will current connected owners get an updated to new software to give some extra functionality</p>
<p>It’s already been announced. We did a story about it a couple days ago. Our info says that it’s F56-forward and will not be backwards compatible in terms of Android integration.</p>
<p>that is completely retarded…MINI seems to be hellbent on alienating every current owner by coming up with a horrid chris bangle inspired crapheap of a BMW .5 Series and now only those victims who buy this crapheap only get android integration…</p>
<p>Looks nice, but the present generation bulldog look, looks better than the new 2014 avatar. Also, the front lights with the LED rings looks cartoonish in pics (It may look better in real, but not having seen it in person, I may be wrong).
I, do, however, wonder about a few things: a) Hopefully, the new engine would be better than the Price engine that many I’m sure are happy to see go away; b) how much of MINI has gone upmarket especially in terms of interiors’s quality & how much interior is soft touch with still hard cheap palstic hidden from direct sight?
Off course MINI must maintain its uniqueness, but wish it’d take some inspiration from VW & Audi to offer a better product especially when it sells it as such and charges a premium for it as well.</p>
<p>Would you be able to ask the engineers about the current status of the iPhone 5 cradles? They don’t work for vehicles with mini connected</p>
<p>Gotta say, just saw the car yesterday with the fiancée at the show and we both really liked it. Pictures don’t do it justice</p>