hey all--

Some new pics were posted today at worldcarfans.com. There has been much discussion about the change of the C-pillars on the new car. On these pics the C-pillar is uncovered and doesn't look too different from the current MINI's.

Anyway, here's the link: HERE.

happy friday!
vin.

 

Something's not right about that C-pillar.

 

it's not so much its C pillar..but just the **** end...it sticks out further..Maybe to create more trunk space?

 

I agree. I think what the designers have done is shorten the length of the rear side window and the width of the hatch window and inserted a body panel between them. The panel may be black plastic (similar to the current A-pillar on our cars now) or may be body color--which would look a little wierd, I think.

This was likely done for a couple of reasons--weight savings, cost savings and ease of production. From what I understand, the current MINI is very expensive to manufacture, even with its popularity. I think BMW/MINI designed the next generation with higher profit margins in mind. Hopefully this won't hurt the driving experience....

my 2cents.

vin.

 

It certinaly doesen't have the look of the present car. Visualy it looks taller even if it is not, the rear of the car....., the front of the car is not very nice either. The exhaust looks good but that would not make me want to trade my car in for one of them. If anything the new Mini will make the present car worth more. It is by far a much better looking automobile.
"Something's not right about the C-pillar" How about the rest of the car? I'll bet it drives as well or better than the present car, but......
Another $.02

 

Remember there is still some body cladding/camoflage on the front of the car in these pictures. I wouldn't pass judgment on the looks of the whole car just yet.

 

It looks like the front wheel arches is not connected to the hood anymore.

 

That's the residual camoflage/body cladding that I was talking about. If you go back and look at older spyshots, you'll notice that the prototypes have been slowly shedding their camo over the last year. I think the front of the car is still covered up a little. We'll know the answer in a few months....

 

These are the 3rd or 4th set of pics Ive seen. The headlights & wheel arches are no longer a part of the hood in some pics. The Travler comes to mind.

 

this is prolly due to my untrained eye but it looks the same as the current Mini to me?

 

Hmm, I like it better than the current car. The front of that MCS looks more agressive, which is good. Rear hatch is weird, not sure I like that.

I wish I could wait for the '07, But I dont think I can.

 

I don't like it as much as the current body style either.

I DO, however, love 2 things - the looks of the new rear bumper, and those exhaust tips look much more visible - not to mention, 'beefier'!

I think they messed up on the bonnet though - it lost a lot of the smooth left-to-right curves - maybe because the SC is gone? Big mistake IMHO!

 

Maybe it's just me, but if you look at the shots from the rear, the front track looks a lot wider than the rear track on the car.

 

Big change you should notice, well I notice in the front is the grill part is just one whole piece rather than two. Rear foglights seems to be two and on the side rather than in the center. I don't think they'll do major changes to the over all shape though.

I don't like the back sticking out like that nor do I like the front looking a bit bulky when I compare a pic of my MINI to this new MINI side by side.

I want to see the interior. I also want to know how good the turbo version is since my coworker's husband who works with BMW said it will be one and the new 3, 5 & 7 series are coming out turbo also.

 

Here's my .02, I think there is indeed a lot of camo on the car still and it doesnt help show the lines with it being blacked out like it is (though that is their intent keep it stealthy at this point). I still commend them on trying to keep it true to it's roots, it cant be easy. I'd still give the nod to my '05 at this point but I can't wait to see what it really looks like in production trim!

 

The cosmetic changes are inevitable, what I am very curious about is the new engine/transmission. Should it improve on emissions/power and MPG, I don't think your going to hear much whinning from new owners since the appearance thus far resembles the current MINI. It surely makes me want to wait now on purchasing a 2006. The way I see it, if its a flop, I'll have missed my chance on buying brand new and will have to settle for used. If its successful the wait will have been worth it. Perhaps it's easier to say this because I don't have a MINI right now.

 

I hope I get over this, but right now those headlights just make me think "Dodge Neon" with the turn signal built in.

 

I'm sure they've done as good a job as one could given the constraints they're working with (budget constraints, crash-impact zone limitations, etc). In the end, when it's up on the pedestal at the car show, I'm sure it will look great.

Yeah, many of us will not like that it's "different", but i bet it'll grow on even the staunchest of us.

Anyway, I'm glad I ordered my '06 because it's tried and true (and although I love the power of turbo, I also love the scream of the SC). The '07 will probably have a few growing pains over the next couple years and by then it will be prime time for a new MINI.

Looking forward to a lighter/faster/modded-turbo MINI

 

The roof line seems like it slopes downwards a bit more to the back and the rear end looks like there is a heavy load in the trunk, as it sits lower over the tires than the front end. Looks like they are keeping the high dust brake pads though.

 

I don't mind the new design. I still love my 2006 though. I believe they might've done the back that way to put more junk in the trunk... wait it's the boot...

I don't know why they did that but it still looks like the same MINI that I know and no super changes. I so hope it's more economic with gas.