13 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

"Be one of the first to see the new MINI at three exclusive reveal events in London, Los Angeles and Shanghai. Just watch closely and answer the question at the end of the video for your chance to win."

How many times did you see the Mini?

http://www.mini.com/...i/en/index.html

 

Recent Spyshots:

http://www.bimmertod...ylinder-b38-01/

Edited by mab01uk, 16 October 2013 - 10:59 PM.

[mk1leg]

just took a chance....lol

[madaboutcherry]

what's the difference, it looks like all the others?

[mab01uk]

Pretty much everything is new, engines, transmissions, suspension, bodyshell, etc, the F56 is first new MINI with very little of Rovers original 2001 R50 MINI design carried over into the next generation. The MINI shape can not really be radically altered.....it is similar to the thinking behind cars like the Porshe 911 in that new models subtly evolve over the years to keep up with advances in technology but are faithful to the original shape.

It also helps maintain the residual values of older models as they don't suddenly look dated, which means customers are willing to pay more for a higher quality small car which depreciates slowly. Compare a 2001 R50 MINI in good condition with a current model and it still looks good and sells for far more as a used car than an equivalent 2001 supermini like a Fiesta, Clio or a Corsa which now look very dated in comparism.

 

In Rovers long history of trying to design a Mini replacement just look how dated a 1980's Mini Metro looks now compared to the original timeless classic Mini shape which out lived it.

Edited by mab01uk, 17 October 2013 - 11:59 AM.

[MrElliott]

is it getting bigger?

[Tommyboy12]

I know the track is wider on the new car but im not sure about length. It cant get much bigger or it will encroach on the Paceman and Countryman.

[mab01uk]

is it getting bigger?

More or less same as existing R56 Hatch with a few mm extra front bumper overhang to meet latest EU safety regs for pedestrian crumple zones and an 'active' bonnet is a new standard safety feature for the MINI 3. The bonnet is automatically raised in the event of a collision with a pedestrian at speeds above 12mph. This is done to allow a lower bonnet line over the hard parts of the engine but still maintain a soft crumple zone on any impact.

 

There is also a 5 door F56 MINI hatch coming....saw it on the production lines at Oxford last week during a factory tour.

Edited by mab01uk, 17 October 2013 - 03:05 PM.

[jaydee]

They finally put the exhaust on the correct side

Shame they moved the fuel cap to the wrong side LOL

 

 

Theres something wrong with this car..whats up with the roof?

Edited by jaydee, 17 October 2013 - 07:38 PM.

[mab01uk]

"Ahead of its arrival here next year, AustinRoverOnline are going to be reporting live from the official unveiling of the next generation MINI at Cowley, Oxford on 18th November, bringing you all the key information about the new car along with pictures and our first impressions. We’ll also be on hand to answer any questions you have – so drop them in on here, and we’ll pose them to the PRs, engineers and designers."

You can sign up for an email reminder below:
News : Interact live with AROnline at the MINI F56 launch - AROnline

 

 

Distinctive new Mk3 F56 MINI halo ring headlights……the top half of halo ring is for LED DRL (Daytime Running Lights) while the bottom half is for turn indicators.

Edited by mab01uk, 07 November 2013 - 12:05 AM.

[jamesmpi]

They finally put the exhaust on the correct side
Shame they moved the fuel cap to the wrong side LOL
 

 
Theres something wrong with this car..whats up with the roof?

Aerodynamic improvements on the rear spoiler

[HarrysMini]

I really wish they would stop making the MINI uglier every year.

The Mk1 (pre 2006) MINI is actually a very good looking car but some of the latest 12 and 13 plate MINIs I've seen have actually made me want to be sick.

BMW are ruining this great little car with all these new releases. The latest hatchback isn't too bad but all the other versions like the Clubman (which couldn't look more different to a classic Clubman) and that 4x4 thing, are just so big and ugly it surprises me how people would actually want to be in one.

 

Don't get me wrong, I love the BMW MINI, I even own one, an R53, but BMW really need to sort this out before they make something really terrible.

 

Sorry, rant over.

[mab01uk]

A Modern MINI magazine reader sent in this 'spy shot' he took of a heavily camouflaged F56 MINI Cooper in a car park in Oxford. Interestingly all of the interior was covered over with blanking covers.
https://www.facebook...&type=1

[Badboytunes]

The thing is with MINi is that it is now a brand, not just a car......

[mab01uk]

MINI is well underway testing the third-generation of its Convertible, as evidenced by these photos, showing the new droptop riding along on a flatbed.

Codenamed the F57 - as opposed to the "F56" designation for the Hardtop - the Convertible will ride on the same UKL front-drive architecture that will underpin its hardtop brother.

From the beltline down, we can expect the Convertible to feature almost identical styling to the Hardtop. Based on the spy photos, there's not a lot to see above the belt line, either. The roof carries roughly the same shape, and will probably fold in a similar Z-pattern to the current canvas top.

Underbonnet, the Convertible should share its powertrains with the Hatchback, meaning the top-flight mill will be a 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder with 189 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. A turbocharged, 1.5-litre three-pot will be the standard engine, but should still come to play with 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. While the F56 Mini will debut in a few weeks time, we'll be waiting much longer to see the F57 Convertible, with our spy claiming an on-sale date in 2015.

Photos:
http://www.autoblog....-flatbed-truck/

Edited by mab01uk, 07 November 2013 - 12:01 AM.