During the recent LA Autshow MotoringFile had a chance to sit down with head of MINI Design Anders Warming to discuss the F56. Hearing the man who led the design of the car inside and out go into detail about the design is with such articulation personally helped unlock some of the F56 for me. It also serves as a reminder that there are real people behind the cars that we love or don’t love. And whatever you think of the design, the ingenuity that is present throughout the design is something to behold – especially in person.
While the car hadn’t technically been unveiled yet, Anders walked us through the new car while we looked at key photos on his iPad. He was also gracious enough to answer several reader questions while also giving us some key insights into how the F56 came about.
It’s a must listen interview for any MINI fan.
Direct Download (13 MB MP3)
<p>Not iPad friendly is sad.</p>
<p>Direct download link is there for just that occasion.</p>
<p>got it, thanks</p>
<p>Always good to hear from Anders and hear some explanation of the mind set behind the
development. Do have to say that the Cooper S is still a huge miss, though
holding final determination until I get to set the car in person. However at
this point the treatment at the front and the rear of the car just reeks of a
cheap aftermarket body kit, it just lacks like feeling like a cohesive part of
the design to my eye</p>
<p>I have to agree with you. The geometry of this piece does not follow the rest of the front fascia, and the fact that it has been treated to appear as if added on, both contribute to this sense that the design is “off”. It looks like a poorly resolved aftermarket add-on. The “chin” is boxy, square-rectangular, and has none of the flow of the rest of the car. Even the rear “add-on” fascia looks more convincing. We saw this coming in the R56 refresh, and I’m pretty sure I posted here that it did not look very good.</p>
<p>Now the JCW kit has taken a similar add-on approach, but the small res images we’ve seen of that look more convincing. The geometry is more dynamic, and it looks more aggressive. I still don’t love the add-on design strategy here, but it does look better than the S.</p>
<p>The design looks excellent. And there interior looks more in keeping with a BMW product. The electronics should be improved. What more could we ask for? I’ll be anxious to see one in the states next year.</p>
<p>Thank you Gabe, that was very interesting. If you have the chance to talk with him again could you ask about driving dynamics, i.e. steering feel, throttle response, suspension, etc.</p>
<p>great interview!! liked it a lot!</p>
<p>Very helpful. Squelches a lot of public misunderstanding that has persisted since the early, visceral reactions to spy photos.</p>
<p>Explanations are fine and dandy, but the final product fails in many fronts (At least where the exterior wrapper is concerned). The first visual impression is crucial and this is where the F56 has failed IMHO.</p>