MINI USA Aims for January Launch for Five Door F55
MINI USA has quietly delayed the F55 launch from late fall to early 2015. That news comes from sources at MINI USA who clearly are focused on the F56 for the remainder of 2015.
What is the F54? It’s MINI’s take on a regular hatch slightly stretch for maximum utility with two extra doors added. What does this mean in terms of numbers? Specifically it’s 4005 mm long, 105 mm less than the Countryman. The wheelbase has been extended in the MINI 5 door by 72 millimetres to 2 567 millimetres, while the track is identical to that of the 3-door model. Unlike the Countryman, MINI has created a four door that should handle for the most part like a MINI. Consider this more inline with the R55 Clubman in the way it had 95% of the R56’s gokart feel.
Interior comfort has been enhanced due to the longer wheelbase. Rear passengers now have 72 millimetres foot space and legroom available to them, while the increased space also provides for a third seat in the back row as well as more comfortable access. The increased vehicle height can be felt in an additional 15 mm of headroom. Meanwhile the car’s interior width at elbow height is now increased by 61 millimetres. The luggage compartment has a volume of 278 litres – an increase of 67 litres or around 30 per cent as compared to the 3-door model.
From a packaging stand-point the F55 isn’t going to be MINI’s family hauler. That honor will go to the redesigned (and noticeably larger and wider) Clubman that starts production next June. Instead this is MINI’s answer to those who’ve wanted just a little more utility out of the standard MINI without resorting to something like the Countryman.
Pricing
US pricing is a bit lower than we had originally expected. Basically MINI is giving you two extra doors and a healthy amount of extra space for $1000 more than the standard three door F56 hatch. Interestingly that price penalty is almost $500 less than the historical difference between the hatch and the Clubman.
– MINI Cooper Five Door / *$21,450
– MINI Cooper S Five Door / *$25,100
* Pricing does not include $850 Destination & Handling.
<p>That’s nice, but I live in the good ole USA where millimeters mean close to nothing to me. Put it in inches please. At least they did get dollars in the pricing instead of Euros or pounds. Also, what about more information on the F56 JCW? Still waiting.</p>
<p>Google it.</p>
<p>Really? Someone who works at a dealership just got snarky with a potential customer?</p>
<p>So does this mean that they will hold F55s that are currently en-route hostage until January? Seems a bit daft. I can understand finishing up marketing plans, etc and making a big push in January, but to delay delivery of pre-sold cars that are ready to go?!?</p>
<p>Yes.</p>
<p>¡Malparidos!</p>
<p>Wonder if I order my F55S in early Nov, it will arrive at my Fl dealership in Jan with all the others that have been ordered up to this time… or drag on until Feb??</p>
<p>What the hell. Dealerships have not been told about this yet.</p>
<p>I am very happy that this is one time motoringfile is wrong. Launch is mid November. People will be driving the f55 then. Heavy advertising starts in January.</p>
<p>Cool – happy to be wrong and quickly correct. Tell us more.</p>
<p>Gabe, check your email.</p>
<p>Where did you get the info that the F55 launch was mid Nov? Have never heard of a launch for the F55 here in the US that early. All along I’ve heard that the F55 launch was mid Dec & the 1st ones to be released to customers just after Jan 1.</p>
<p>That seems to be still the likely timetable from my Fl dealership. So where was the origin of this delay news to a Jan launch…from MINIUSA or elsewhere? Where did Motoringfile get it? Now we have launch mentions for Nov, Dec, & Jan. They can’t all be right!!</p>
<p>We heard this for the US market specifically. Obviously can’t mention our sources but they’re pretty legit.</p>
<p>OK. My order for an F55S will be initiated at my dealer this coming Monday. With a Jan launch, does that mean Feb 1 as the earliest date for released ordered vehicles or about the same time in Jan as the launch date?</p>
<p>On an other note….hope all are having a great time this week at the Indi auto event…including my MINI sales person. Jack… come back safely, & I’ll C U Mon aftn when I initiate my order.</p>
<p>maybe. (maybe not)</p>
<p>Here’s to hoping sanity prevails at corporate. I know of at least a couple others in my situation with a pre-sold F55 at port. A great way to create bad blood with your fans with an artificial delay like this.</p>
<p>I also want this car in my dealership now (I’m in that situation too), but I wouldn’t call this an artificial delay. They never released an official launch date until recently. Under-promise and over-deliver.</p>
<p>It’s a very interesting extension of the MINI range. But why have MINI, in their infinite wisdom, decided that nobody who buys an F55 or F56 wants to either tow anything with it, or use a bike rack that fits to a tow-hitch?</p>
<p>No mini has an official tow point.</p>