R56 R53 versus R56... a visual study
#528
#531
#532
I think the belt line on these is still the R56 height. It looks like it has the R50/53 headlights, and the grill while one piece like the R56 looks even taller than the R56. And the bumper and front signal lights look to be configured like the R53. I think it looks good, but I prefer both the R50, 53, and 56 to these mules.
#533
#535
#536
I like it more than the current R56. Do I like it more than the R50/53? No, but it is a darn good improvement that I find fairly palatable.
#537
#538
at first it looked like a mocked-up prototype. but on subsequent looks they're very well molded and finished. it may be an abandoned proposition from early on or an r50/r53 w/ r56 running gear underneath. i doubt it's a peak for the facelift tho, but i too think it looks better than the r56
#540
OK... now THAT is what i meant!!!!!! thank you, herby74!
i will now back off since i would not be able to challenge the claim that i am monopolizing this thread. i've just seen a lot of interesting comments here, and am deficient at quoting them all in one message. good luck to all... !
i will now back off since i would not be able to challenge the claim that i am monopolizing this thread. i've just seen a lot of interesting comments here, and am deficient at quoting them all in one message. good luck to all... !
And driving experience matters more to me than looks...
#541
#542
Zip
#543
No. That's 100% R56.
There is a large mask on the nose covering the hood scoop and outer edges of the headlights (like they did with all the test mules when they were out and about)... plus a pair of uppor and lower slatted grilles. It may be a little lower than what were seeing on the poroduction cars, but I think it's just the camera angle in that specific pic. If you find some more test mule pics, you'll see. Search motoring file in the archives and take a look at the cold weather and hot weather test mule pics. Same car.
That's it. No more. No less.
There is a large mask on the nose covering the hood scoop and outer edges of the headlights (like they did with all the test mules when they were out and about)... plus a pair of uppor and lower slatted grilles. It may be a little lower than what were seeing on the poroduction cars, but I think it's just the camera angle in that specific pic. If you find some more test mule pics, you'll see. Search motoring file in the archives and take a look at the cold weather and hot weather test mule pics. Same car.
That's it. No more. No less.
#544
No. That's 100% R56.
There is a large mask on the nose covering the hood scoop and outer edges of the headlights (like they did with all the test mules when they were out and about)... plus a pair of uppor and lower slatted grilles. It may be a little lower than what were seeing on the poroduction cars, but I think it's just the camera angle in that specific pic. If you find some more test mule pics, you'll see. Search motoring file in the archives and take a look at the cold weather and hot weather test mule pics. Same car.
That's it. No more. No less.
There is a large mask on the nose covering the hood scoop and outer edges of the headlights (like they did with all the test mules when they were out and about)... plus a pair of uppor and lower slatted grilles. It may be a little lower than what were seeing on the poroduction cars, but I think it's just the camera angle in that specific pic. If you find some more test mule pics, you'll see. Search motoring file in the archives and take a look at the cold weather and hot weather test mule pics. Same car.
That's it. No more. No less.
#546
In praise of the side vents
I would respectfully submit that the R56 side "vent" (they aren't really vents, are they) are the perfect size for the new car. Yes, they are bigger than R50/53s...and I was looking closely at this today. Given the higher belt line, the vents were adjusted almost perfectly in scale to that change. In fact, if one were to place R50/53 repeaters there they would look rediculously small and silly. This is especially so given the removal of the horizontal body seam right above the R50/53 repeater. So...when I stand right next to an R53 Cooper and look at the repeater vent, yes, it looks huge compared to what I am used to seeing. However, when I back away, the proportions are perfect for that particular car. I do prefer the R56 Cooper vents, but the MCS vents...with their black surrounds...are really growing on me, at least enough to ignore the whole issue.
Now, if we are to get picky, I'd further submit that MINIs do not need pseudo-vents of any sort there...R50,53, or 56. It must be a BMW thing, right?
Now, if we are to get picky, I'd further submit that MINIs do not need pseudo-vents of any sort there...R50,53, or 56. It must be a BMW thing, right?
#547
gocartride, when it comes to summing up the aesthetic changes of the R56, I consistently agree with you. Lots of things had to be made bigger (like the trim at the wheel arches) to keep things in proper proportion. I think if the arch trim was the same size as it was on the R53 it would look goofy, it needs to be larger ...and the same goes for some of the other changes.
I see the design as very well thought out and given what they were up against (the new UK pedestrian laws) they did a marvelous job of keeping the character of the original design in tact while adhering to prerequisites which were out of their control.
dean.
I see the design as very well thought out and given what they were up against (the new UK pedestrian laws) they did a marvelous job of keeping the character of the original design in tact while adhering to prerequisites which were out of their control.
dean.
#548
THanks for that. The lines are obviously cleaner in the older car.
From the looks of the big lights, bigger plastic black fenders, and the big rear hip, I wouldnt call this design evolution, like MINI is trying to.
It's more like evolution from eating too much junk food. I guess cars get fat too.
From the looks of the big lights, bigger plastic black fenders, and the big rear hip, I wouldnt call this design evolution, like MINI is trying to.
It's more like evolution from eating too much junk food. I guess cars get fat too.
#549
#550
Zip
(The opinions expressed above are those of the writer only, and are in no way meant to be personally offensive to anyone of the human and/or canine races. All complementary and/or contradictory viewpoints are encouraged and will be welcomed, and will be accepted in the spirit in which they were intended, whatever they may be.)