MINI2 at the MINI R56 Preview Event

dickdavid Jul 26th, 2006 Link

That key is awesome! I’m jealous of the push button start!!!

The engine is pretty cool looking too.

tony T Jul 26th, 2006 Link

God that engine bay is a let down, and yes, the scoop is not in anyway connected to any kind of intercooler… !!! WTF were they thinking…

Gabe Jul 26th, 2006 Link

New S-lites are the worst though.

Timothy Jul 26th, 2006 Link

Gabe, you may wish to take note that Paul claims the Cooper S gained 10 Kg (and that the Cooper lost a little bit of weight) before plunking down a bet on the 180 lbs. weight loss report. :-)

tony T Jul 26th, 2006 Link

Double or nothing on that wager mate…? :-)

Gabe Jul 26th, 2006 Link

I don’t know what to tell you man. If two seperate scientists who you trusted told you a rather mundane fact about thermal dynamics and swore up and down it was correct, would you believe them? I mean what the hell do I know about thermal dynamics??

dickdavid Jul 26th, 2006 Link

New S-lites are the worst though.

They look cheaper. I wonder if they’ve improved on the weight?

Gabe Jul 26th, 2006 Link

Double or nothing on that wager mate…? :-)

Maybe… let me think of something :-)

Wetworth Jul 26th, 2006 Link

love the look… really think it looks great But…
“there’s a brand new engine under the (purely cosmetic) scoop laden hood” Uh-oh. Not good.

JohnPC Jul 26th, 2006 Link

“Purely cosmetic” hood scoop? Oh well. At least it’ll create some much-needed drag. ;)

Aurel Jul 26th, 2006 Link

totally mixed feelings on this so far … now that I have seen the car as it will end up looking.

1. the center console is atrocious and tacky … does the A/C need to look like the MINI wing? I hate to say it, but it does look “toy like” and any “maturity” we gained from the rest of the car is taken away by it.

2. I like the new headlight assembly. Looks much cleaner upfront … and the taillights as well.

3. Not sure about the new hood though and how we lost the outside vents by the windshield … looks a little “heavy”

4. Agreed on those S-Lite lookalikes … bad

Some of the charm is gone … I am sure it will grow on me … but it did not give me that blood rush as when first seeing the 1st Gen … or my current 03 for that matter.

Aurel Jul 26th, 2006 Link

ooops … what happend there? Gabe please fix this … SORRY!

Dave Jul 26th, 2006 Link

gained 10 Kg

I’m not buying it just yet.

The aluminum block is lighter
The aluminum rear control arms are 20 lbs lighter
The straight back exhaust is lighter

For the +10kg to be true, I’d still like to 1) see it officially in a MINI press release OR 2) have some accounting of where MINI stashed the extra weight it saved in the areas mentioned above.

RE: the engine being backwards and the Homer Simpson “speed hole” in the hood.

I wonder if the MC hood will retrofit on an MCS so we can get rid of that cosmetic scoop??

I also wonder if the JCW MCS will actually put that scoop to some functional use??

the center console is atrocious and tacky … does the A/C need to look like the MINI wing? I hate to say it, but it does look “toy like” and any “maturity” we gained from the rest of the car is taken away by it.

The words Fisher Price come to mind.  I share your view that the central stack needs to be matured in a big way to fit with the overall design.  It may just be a selection of materials issue, but those plastics cheapen the interior appearance.

ooops … what happend there? Gabe please fix this … SORRY!

fixed

dickdavid Jul 26th, 2006 Link

Has anybody seen the DSC control switch? It’s not on the toggle panel anymore.

dickdavid Jul 26th, 2006 Link

I’m liking that Sparkling Silver too!! Very nice.

Timothy Jul 26th, 2006 Link

Pure speculation, but I’m sure BMW is keeping an eye on the competition, so perhaps the three letters “JCW” will render that cosmetic hood scoop not so cosmetic:

http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/11213/mini-test-review-2006-volkswagen-golf-gt.html

Ian C. Jul 26th, 2006 Link

And …
http://www.mini2.com/article385-mini2-world-exclusive-2nd-generation-mini-cooper-s-test-drive-report.html

DB Jul 26th, 2006 Link

Is that really the exhaust note? I swear I was passed by a Honda today that sounded almost exactly like that. ick.

Lucas Jul 26th, 2006 Link

Whats with the hood scoop. So BMW cared enough about aero that they made those buldges on the C piller, then go on and put a hood scoop that doesn’t do anything to create more drag?

The speedo looks really weird with the audio controls up there, otherwise, I like the changes in the interior. Sure you lose some cubby holes in the rear seats, but how often does any current MINI owners use those anyway? Wider seats are definitely more useful. Nice touch expanding the boot a little as well.

Even with the engine change, this “new” MINI really seems more like a mid model facelift than a totally new car, not a lot of difference in terms of performance, features, looks, and safety.

Non-MINI enthusiasts will probably not notice many of the changes to the car.

Max Jul 26th, 2006 Link

Is the honeycomb upper grill the standard fare now? Sure they would look great with the aero kit(I’m sure it would be available with the new car). But I was hoping for a variation of the horizontal slats available in body color or chrome.

Looking at the audio controls and display, I’m sure full ipod control will be finally possible. I also noticed a phone button. Factory bluetooth?

Jon Jul 26th, 2006 Link

The S-lites are very cheap looking, but then again no worries as the wheels are the first mod on any mini I will ever buy. Of all the things mini does right wheels arn’t one of those.

The design of the automatic AC is remarkable in its total lack of style, the designers should be ashamed of putting something so tacky into the car. I also have to say that the speedo doesn’t really do anything for me, a tad to large and I really think integrating the stereo into it looks rather homely.

The two biggest issues I have with the car though would have to be the non-functional hood scoop and loosing the wrap around glass on the rear of the car on the c-pillar leaves this portion of the mini looking like a cheap Japanese import from the 70’s

My only hope is that JCW offers a leather dash and downtubes for the R56 and gives us a working scoop.

BzzzBom Jul 26th, 2006 Link

What ever happened to “form follows function?” What is up with the fake hood scoop?

JP Jul 26th, 2006 Link

What I find so remarkable is the level of detail provided by Mini2 on July 26. No magazine will even provide a tenth of the info as well as the plethora of photos that we have now. We have Mini2 and Motoringfile to thank, as well as the World Wide Web.
From my perspective the use of new power plants will define the second generation Mini. This coupled with the dramatic changes with the interior make this much more than a mild facelift. If you look only at the few cosmetic changes to the outside your facelift assumptions would indeed be valid. Those few cosmetic changes will help to keep Mini residuals high in the coming years.

Aurel Jul 26th, 2006 Link

Amen, I just realized my car will still have a high resale value after seeing this.

I really, really wanted an 07 … and I like the performance that it will offer … but the interior, where I will be spending my time leaves me scratching my head … why did they F with things that were perfect to begin with and make them worse …

I will have nightmares tonight about the the center stack and integrated speedo/radio … hehe

lTZMTOR Jul 26th, 2006 Link

I do like the tail lites but they probably won’t make it to the states. The J-Lo boot… Note sure of… gotta keep the Scoop.. That center stack is pretty diff… The front end… not me cup o tea… I do like the new yellow and the sort of electric blue.. S lites not sure of yet… I see nothing so far that makes me want to lose my ‘04 MCS but might upgrade to an ‘05-’06 someday.

But… I remember back to when Porsche changed to the 911.. I think 1963-64, hated it then now I feel different as G Harrison said Al Things must Pass.

nrkist Jul 26th, 2006 Link

The new model somehow feels more mature, more composed than its outgoing predecessor. The “baby BMW” isn’t really a hyperactive little child anymore, more so a slightly crazy uncle that all the family enjoy being in the company of. The engine feels more refined than the Tritec units, and the car feels more controlled all the way from cruising up to the extremes. It’s still very much a fun car, but it seems a little more nonchalant when going about its thrill ride business. Not quite so desperate to please, but more solid, and all the more assuring for it.

My worst fears confirmed.

Wetworth Jul 26th, 2006 Link

the key… can I still call it a key?

Timothy Jul 27th, 2006 Link

Please, MINI, let us delete the faux air scoop in the build list.

Joris Jul 27th, 2006 Link

Some new photos have been revealed at the following website (sorry the text is all in Dutch):

http://www.autoweek.nl/newsdisp.php?ID=5112&cache=no

sandm4130 Jul 27th, 2006 Link

patience is for the unsure dreamers awaiting a better tomorrow
the joys of today only wet the lips of the desperate few

the few with pre 2007 mini coopers.

that car is UGLY!

I am kidding, though it just is not the same class act.
Wacthing it seems like watching Aliens 4/Rambo 7.

The great originals always generate inadequate sequels.

Attack of the clones?

enjoy!

David Jul 27th, 2006 Link

I can’t believe no one has said terribly ugly new yellow color. The new blues look good, though.

Eelke Jul 27th, 2006 Link

Well, to contradict the previous poster, I actually let out a sigh of relief when seeing the new yellow. Going by the name, Mellow Yellow, I was afraid it’d just be an overhauled liquid yellow, which, although nice, is actually the mellow one of the two, and too much so for my taste.

Also, what I have been afraid of since seeing the very first picture of the Mini3 interior seems to be coming true. I dearly hope that with different materials it will not be so bad and I might actually grow to like it, but as it stands now, with the tacky silver accents in the center console (might be bareable if everything were in black, although it lacks the tasteful blend between good design and playfulness), and the horrible integrated controls on the centre speedo (I doubt I will ever find bareable), I think this might actually keep me from getting another Mini when the time comes to trade in my current one (which, luckily, will not be for another few hundreds of kilometers).

The rest of the interior is kind of OK, although the notion that storage space is reduced worries me a little; it’s not like there is an overwhelming amount of storage space available to begin with.

But please, Mini/BMW, why did you change the centre part of the dashboard area, with the centre speedo, radio and climate controls? It is the one part of the interior that was almost perfect, apart maybe from finish (too plasticky, especially the downtubes).

Tub Jul 27th, 2006 Link

What a relief! I went back and forth on buying an ‘06 or waiting for an ‘07. Bought the ‘06. My heart fell when I read about the 180 lb weight savings for ‘07, but when I compared the BMW data sheet on the new motor with the tritec data sheet from the tritec web site, the dressed weights of the PSA turbo and the tritec supercharged were nearly the same.

The only thing that I like about the ‘07 is the aluminum suspension arms.

Marko Jul 27th, 2006 Link

Agree with nearly all said above, it is hard to ’see’ an improvement anywhere. Especially compared to the visions we all had for the next mini.

BMW should have listened to their customer’s opinions and evolved the current design, ‘its a mini - they evolve, slowly’. The after market guys will have a field-day providing replacements for all those tacky interior assemblies.

• it’s a huge disappointment! but not a surprise.

eto Jul 27th, 2006 Link

Overall, I am still impressed with the new car. I am very disappointed that the weight losses previously reported are not true. An increase of 10kg isn’t bad to what happens to other small cars changing from generation to generation (i.e. the Dodge Neon went from a 2400 lb lightweight to 2700 lbs in its second gen only to be replaced with the 3100 lb porker called the Caliber).

I was extremely excited about the weight loss, because MINI seemed to have reversed the trend of ever fattening compact cars. The reported weight loss with the slight bump in power was thrilling. While the weight gains may be minor, they are weight gains none-the-less.

I do absolutely love each of the new colors. Even the subdued Sparkling Silver has some character, and it will be fun responding to color inquiries with “Gold… no wait… Silver… no wait… Gold!” ;)

drew Jul 27th, 2006 Link

i’m now officially a fan - of the exterior.

i’m now also officially in mourning - of the interior.

Lee L Jul 27th, 2006 Link

I too like the enterior more and more the less camo it has. I need to see tee back in person to be sure, but it looks much less of a change that I feared a year ago. I truly do think that the exterior looks more like a freshening. Teh one thing I really don;t like is the creased in line on the side of teh scoop. If they had just kept that as a genle curve, it would have been much better and in keeping with the rest of the car IMO.

I like the engine and exhaust note and like some things about the interior, but the center column is not yet one of them. I guess they were going for a retro look of the parts inserted into holes cut in a metal dash and it looks like they got it, but something just does not ring true there. Even the manual A/C seems to have lost its “driver in control” look.

I do love the 2 sets of toggles though.

Lee L Jul 27th, 2006 Link

I meant exterior in the first paragraph, not “enterior” ;) D’OH!

Justin Montoya Jul 27th, 2006 Link

Told you it wouldnt be much lighter if any! Too many DAMNED SUV’s on the road… they had to make it safer… compromise this!! I love my 05 even more everyday!

mr.abulia Jul 27th, 2006 Link

As in all things, I think the car will look better in person than in pictures, but right now I’m not loving the pictures! The increased beltline gives the whole car more of a “hotwheels” toy-car look, with huge wheels, a huge bottom and, oh, a top part just plopped on for show. Not even the gorgeous new colours can hide the fact that the new proportions are just “off” by enough to make me think that they tried too hard for “cute” and not hard enough for “aesthetically proper”. I’m also really disappointed by the do-nothing hoodscoop and the “compromise” of putting the engine in backwards. Honestly! A mass marketing decision because their partner wanted engines mounted that way? Please. At mini production levels, they had enough justification to come up with a way of adapting the engine to their needs and desires.

As for the interior, I love the new seats, but I’m not loving everything else. My biggest complaints about the current mini interior is that it looks more cramped than it is because of the dark and cluttered portions below the beltline. With a higher beltline and more clutter (bigger speedo with tons ‘o buttons, mini logo ac, etc) things have not imporved. Maybe it will grow on me with no camo.

I’m still thinking of picking up one of the last of the ‘06 cars after this.

lTZMTOR Jul 27th, 2006 Link

These S-lites look a little lighter?

qwerty Jul 28th, 2006 Link

The center stack is a silly mess. Someone said it looks like a Fisher-Price design and that captures the feeling perfectly. The speedo jumble is freakishly TOO big. The integrated radio controls are a busy look and a bad ergonomic design.

The fake scoop truly cheapens the spirit of the car. I absolutely HATE that! I can hear it now…”Look at that little toy car with the pretend hood scoop”. Even GM has learned that that stuff embarrasses enthusiasts. At least make if functional as a heat dissipater for the engine compartment. This is definitely a step backward for the purity of the car. Bad, bad, bad. A delete option would be wonderful.

The other exterior changes are mostly evolutionary, but I don’t like the wider plastic wheel surrounds. Why add more plastic? I do like the rising belt line, it gives the car a pleasant rake.

I don’t know. I’m sure it will grow on most of us and mechanically it may be a more advanced car, but the 1st gen may end up being seen as a more honest design.

Robert Aug 1st, 2006 Link

I really liked Liquid Yellow. I was afraid the new yellow would be more “in your face” and less mellow.

It is, even if they call it Mellow Yellow.