James May 31st, 2007 Link

There’s both a Cooper and a Cooper S there. Are you suggesting that they’re both JCW mules?

eto May 31st, 2007 Link

Very weird. There is definitely both a Cooper and Cooper S in those pictures. Why would they both be camoed? Maybe MINI is testing both the JCW car and the Cooper D!

OttomannS May 31st, 2007 Link

I think this is an indication, BMW is hard at work on the next R56 facelift. Notice the BMW “angel eyes” on the right headlight.

Radley May 31st, 2007 Link

Cooper S
-Hood scoop looks functional, JCW?
-Headlights definately look like the black headlights used on the millionth MINI which looks agressive. JCW? or revised R56?

Cooper
-The Cooper could be a tag along for the JCW/revised R56?
-Or as Eto said maybe its the D

I’m not sure but all I want to know is are those black backing xenon’s gonna be able to be retrofitted when they come out?

Radley May 31st, 2007 Link

Ottomann S I think thats just the chrome around the xenon like the millionth MINI had with black backing.

MauiMac May 31st, 2007 Link

“-Hood scoop looks functional, JCW?”

The hood scoop was the first thing I noticed. Just the though of the hood scoop being functional got me exited!…

MINIBro May 31st, 2007 Link

I bet you these are test mules for the new range of engines with BMW’s new Start/Stop feature that will help boost the MINI’s already great fuel economy and also emissions.

MQuin May 31st, 2007 Link

something tells me, dont get the 07 mini S…..YET!

gmini May 31st, 2007 Link

the cooper is the American Spec D.

gmini May 31st, 2007 Link

the cooper s is the American spec cooper s d.

Greg W May 31st, 2007 Link

The question is; If you were trying something top secret and didn’t want anyone to know about it, why would you park two cars in a public car park outside a Starbucks store?

Tom May 31st, 2007 Link

Why would they go to the trouble of mounting an S spoiler to a Cooper?

cooper s diesel? - MINI2 Jun 1st, 2007 Link

[...] is anyone’s guess but one new variant that could surface at some point is a cooper s diesel. MotoringFile » Archive » What are these MINIs? 150-170bhp with loads of torque I suppose is possible eg 2.2HDi 173bhp. Is there any indication [...]

OttoMannS Jun 1st, 2007 Link

By allowing “Test mules” to freely roam around streets and also letting people take photographs (Which will surely end up plastered somewhere in the Internet), MINI is creating something call “Buzz” or attention towards the product. This is a very effective marketing tool and automakers recognize that spilling some beans out of the can before the due time, helps to build up interest and excitment for their products.

They did it with the Clubman test mule back in Geneva, by driving the car around the city and creating video footage to wet people’s appetite.

Jon Jun 2nd, 2007 Link

As much as I would like the shots to be of the Factory JCW I doubt it is, The fact that since its both a Cooper and a Cooper S I have the feeling that its one of three things.

1 The new factory aerodynamic kit to replace the butt ugly first attempt.

2 One of the aftermarket manufacturing working on a body kit.

3 A couple of aftermarket test mules.

Greg Jun 4th, 2007 Link

Speaking of “butt ugly” factory body kit. I have seen a few photos on NAM and now the configurator shows it as well. Not as bad as I originally thought. Actually looks good on astro black and alot cheaper than JCW. Gabe, how about a review and photos?

$1300 in hyper sport option. $800 without SS for us JCW suspension types?

Gabe Jun 4th, 2007 Link

Gabe, how about a review and photos?

I saw one in person on Saturday. My thoughts haven’t changed. Single worst thing MINI has ever done. I feel terrible sorry for the people who have ordered it.

Jon Jun 4th, 2007 Link

It’t not a shinning example of what Mini can do, rather surprised when I first saw the kit. The JCW kit may cost much more but atleast it doesn’t turn my stomach to look at. Still a ways from perfection, the rear vents still look a tad tacky, the side vents I could live without,and finally the front has one feature that drives me mad, there is a split dead center on the front apron black skirting that draws my eye right to it. Still I wouldn’t hesitate to put it on the car, just so Mini’s sales can see one more example of somebody not ordering the factory kit ;).

Greg Jun 4th, 2007 Link

Interesting feedback and much appreciated. I like the JCW kit front and sides but not the back. Can you buy 2/3rds of the kit? Trying to keep my order under $40,000 but the JCW kit will bust that.

I’m keeping an open mind on the factory kit till I see it. The original photo on MF(red car) was really bad but in black it’s kinda cool. I’m wide open to opinions though. Thanks!

Jon Jun 5th, 2007 Link

As a self confessed Mini fanatic I would say don’t worry about what others think, if you see something on your car you like thats what its all about. Mini’s are not about conforming to the whims and wills of other people but rather making your statement. I have yet to see the factory kit on a Astro Black car, but in theory think this could be decent looking.

Eelke Jun 5th, 2007 Link

One thing that gets me moderately excited is that the A-panels are camouflaged. This could mean that this is indeed a face-lift, and they are changing the side-vents in the A-panels (not to say that I 100% like everything else, but those side-vents are head and shoulders above all the other little external quirks of the R56 I’m not too thrilled about - and that’s not meant in a positive way :)).

And yes, of course the big gaping hole in the position of the hood scoop on the S. Could they have moved the intercooler to the old place? :D

Newdl Jun 5th, 2007 Link

I don’t see why they would have the hood scoop cut out of the plastic mask….if it has no purpose anymore……..

Odd hu?