R56 2010 MINI?
#6
#7
I think most of you guys are wrong. If I'm not mistaken the mid-cycle refresh is due at the end of this year. Motoringfile seems to think so. These guys are normally spot on. I'm 100% positive it wont be 2012.
http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/01/...cycle-refresh/
http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/01/...cycle-refresh/
As is customary with BMW products, the current generation MINIs (The R55, R56 and R57 included) will undergo a mild mid-model cycle facelift sometime during it production run. While we don’t have details on the exact new look, we can shed some light on the time frame of the change. But before we do that, first let’s take a look back. The R50/R53 had it’s own nip and tuck back in the summer of 2004 (for the 2005 model year) almost 3 years to the day after it’s UK introduction and a little over two years after it was introduced in most other parts of the world (including the US).
At the time it was seen as a relatively quick facelift meant to deal with a number of teething problems early MINI owners experienced. However if you look at the general timeframe, it really didn’t differ from the typical BMW approach of mildly refreshing a model line-up around three years after its introduction. And like the R50/R53, we expect the R55, R56, R57 facelift to happen exactly three years after the introduction of the first model of the current generation - in this case the R56 in late 2006. That means we should see the first refreshed cars in late 2009 as 2010 models.
According to sources, we expect the 2nd generation facelift to be a little less thorough than what we saw with the R50/R53 in 2004. As is typical for BMW, we should expect a mild refresh of the front and rear facia with a slight redesign of the headlights and taillights. However, where the R50/R53 saw seemingly countless component changes in and outside the car, we can expect BMW to not be quite as drastic with the current generation MINI. While we personally hope the center stack design and radio interface is re-evaluated, we wouldn’t be surprised if the changes to the interior are a bit more subtle and focus on upgrades in material quality rather than outright design changes.
And like MINI’s R0/R53 mid-model cycle upgrades, we also might see a slight performance upgrade. Although how that is accomplished is pure speculation at this point.
All told, it would seem that changes to the 2010 MINI range will be a little less dramatic than what we saw with the 2005 cars and it certainly shouldn’t stop anyone from considering an ‘08 or ‘09 MINI. Especially with the Clubman and factory JCW models coming on line for the 2008 model year and rumors or a 50th anniversary MINI for the 2009.
At the time it was seen as a relatively quick facelift meant to deal with a number of teething problems early MINI owners experienced. However if you look at the general timeframe, it really didn’t differ from the typical BMW approach of mildly refreshing a model line-up around three years after its introduction. And like the R50/R53, we expect the R55, R56, R57 facelift to happen exactly three years after the introduction of the first model of the current generation - in this case the R56 in late 2006. That means we should see the first refreshed cars in late 2009 as 2010 models.
According to sources, we expect the 2nd generation facelift to be a little less thorough than what we saw with the R50/R53 in 2004. As is typical for BMW, we should expect a mild refresh of the front and rear facia with a slight redesign of the headlights and taillights. However, where the R50/R53 saw seemingly countless component changes in and outside the car, we can expect BMW to not be quite as drastic with the current generation MINI. While we personally hope the center stack design and radio interface is re-evaluated, we wouldn’t be surprised if the changes to the interior are a bit more subtle and focus on upgrades in material quality rather than outright design changes.
And like MINI’s R0/R53 mid-model cycle upgrades, we also might see a slight performance upgrade. Although how that is accomplished is pure speculation at this point.
All told, it would seem that changes to the 2010 MINI range will be a little less dramatic than what we saw with the 2005 cars and it certainly shouldn’t stop anyone from considering an ‘08 or ‘09 MINI. Especially with the Clubman and factory JCW models coming on line for the 2008 model year and rumors or a 50th anniversary MINI for the 2009.
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#8
I think most of you guys are wrong. If I'm not mistaken the mid-cycle refresh is due at the end of this year. Motoringfile seems to think so. These guys are normally spot on. I'm 100% positive it wont be 2012.
http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/01/...cycle-refresh/
http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/01/...cycle-refresh/
hrm, I'm going to waittttttttttttttttttttttttt
#11
Well, hopefully the next MINI is AWD or something... my pay is going to double in the next 2 years (love this government job), and I'm considering the next-gen Z4. Tiny car, 3.0L turbo... sounds like a lot of fun to me!
It definitely isn't as loveable as the MINI, though. I'm going to be a confused cat in 2013 when I give up the MINI!
To the bubbly headlights comment.... this car isn't supposed to be mean looking... I'm afraid if they get any less round, they will be leaving behind a basic MINI and Mini design element and heading towards every other car today.... extremely narrow and slanted "aggressive eyes" headlights.
It definitely isn't as loveable as the MINI, though. I'm going to be a confused cat in 2013 when I give up the MINI!
To the bubbly headlights comment.... this car isn't supposed to be mean looking... I'm afraid if they get any less round, they will be leaving behind a basic MINI and Mini design element and heading towards every other car today.... extremely narrow and slanted "aggressive eyes" headlights.
#12
I heard this is what the R57 version's going to look like
Lets hope this concept stays just that. Here's the full article on the Mini SUV concept
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...new-suv-c.html
Lets hope this concept stays just that. Here's the full article on the Mini SUV concept
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...new-suv-c.html
Last edited by Rixter; 02-11-2009 at 09:55 PM. Reason: Added pix
#14
I think most of you guys are wrong. If I'm not mistaken the mid-cycle refresh is due at the end of this year. Motoringfile seems to think so. These guys are normally spot on. I'm 100% positive it wont be 2012.
http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/01/...cycle-refresh/
http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/01/...cycle-refresh/
#15
I mean look at the E90 3 series. It debuted in 2005. The mid-cycle refresh, also known as facelift, is on sale now. There will be no more big changes before the next generation 3 comes out. They already have test mules running around.
Last edited by onehots2k; 02-12-2009 at 07:32 AM.
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