F55 Public Debut at the 2014 Paris Auto Show
According to [Automotive News](http://europe.autonews.com/article/20140919/ANE/140919812/mini-will-show-new-five-door-hatchback-at-paris-show), the public unveiling of the F55 will happen at the 2014 Paris Auto Show starting on October 4th. The auto news outlet also reiterates the fact that MINI has great expectations for the five-door Hatch:
Mini expects the five-door hatchback to attract new customers to the brand because, it says, 70 percent of global subcompact hatchback sales are for five-door variants.
[…]
The five-door should give Mini a sales boost. Global sales of Mini vehicles fell 9 percent to 175,658 vehicles during the first eight months. In August, sales dropped 6 percent to 19,504. Last year, Mini global sales topped to a 305,000 units record.
So when will you be able to get your hands on this member of the MINI family? The F55 will go on sale in Europe on October 25th and in the U.S. in January 2015.
If any of you happen to be at Paris Auto Show and to stop at the MINI booth, don’t hesitate to
let us know!
<p>There’s a beautiful car hiding in there somewhere. I just can’t get over the ‘chin’ and ‘booty’. I’m sure it will sell well though.</p>
<p>I hope it’s just the angle the picture was taken at. That’s the first thing I noticed “wow, what a nose”, Much more overhang than I’d expect. <em>crossing fingers pic is at bad angle</em></p>
<p>Just in case people are wondering what we are talking about, the picture
we were referring to has changed. This was the original picture.</p>
<p><a href="http://s3.motoringfile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/F55_Cooper_SD2246.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://s3.motoringfile.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/F55_Cooper_SD2246.jpg</a></p>
<p>No one was wondering but no thank you</p>
<p>You’re very welcome Pete! :-)</p>
<p>I did a build on MINIUSA of the F55 S in Thunder Gray with black roof. The appearance of the lower ‘lip’ projection that many attackers seem to gravitate to is much less pronounced in that color as well as the other dark colors compared to lighter paints. Also if one opts for the optional exterior chrome look which includes the front brake air intakes, that seem to emphasize the ‘lip’. Looks much better without the chrome intakes! As for the added ‘booty’, I don’t see a problem with that look. The added rear storage it gives is more important. But like all of us, I have my biases. I like the F55 & will order one near the end of the year!!</p>
<p>I see the F55 hiding in the Countryman. A design that appears to me, anyway, to have a smaller beak, less overhang and a better boot:</p>
<p>Was that picture taken with a trick lens, akin to trick mirrors and mirror mazes found in an amusement park fun house?</p>
<p>The original picture has since been changed since the above post was made. The original picture was very unflattering.</p>
<p>The Design Apology Tour continues.</p>
<p>Alas ! That which we call a nose by any other name would smell as sweet ?</p>
<p>Has anyone looked at the frontal treatments of Japanese models like Mazda 3 and 6 and Mitsubishi Lancer lately?</p>
<p>The MINI rear hipline reminds me of the 1990’s Mazda 121, a roundish bubble car which had a hip line people likened to a woman’s figure.</p>