Located here on Flickr. Looks much better in person. Big_Daveoc and I were very impressed with the interior build quality of the NEW New MINI - it's as if a VW/Audi mated with the last gen R53.

We had to explain to the poor booth guy how to open the hood. :-) We did get to play around with the cars before they were put it in "show" mode (i.e., depowered so no one messes with them and drains the batteries). The new sunroof is very nice - much better wind blocker.

As I said earlier, I'm not wild about the Auto AC but it's a minor issue. Finally a MINI I can get comfy in - the seats are a startling improvement over the R53 seats. The controls feel beefier, the shift linkage more BMWesque.

A CR MINI Cooper had a very leatherette (black) interior - didn't think that was an option - maybe it's a secret option or it's the perforated leather.. whatever it was - extremely nice. :-)

The show doesn't open to the Public until Wednesday - hopefully these shots can tide you over until you can get in to the show and see the cars.

Cheers!

 

thanks for the cool pics, I like the pic of you with your head through where the headlights go. So if someone asks what can the new MINI do that the old one can't, I can say I can fit my head through the headlight ring

 

That doesn't instill much confedience.

 

Very Cool..... Can't wait...

 

whatcha talking about VWs have some of the best interiors in the biz... :-)

 

Is it me or does the speedo look as big as the headlight

 

.. or KRUTs nose. :-)

 

nice pics el cap-e-tan. New, new MINIs seem to look !!alittle!! bit better. still a bigger fan of the R53's . But a MINI(R53) is a MINI(R56) is a Mini(Classic)

 

Actually Big_Daveoc took the pics.. not Kaptain Krutaroo.

 

I thought you were demonstrating the new xenon power washer capabilities.

 

thanks for the great pics!
that speedo is HUGE! definitely bigger than the headlights.

 

So far I think the bodykit is a must...I'll up close and personal with it in a few hours so I will pass judgement then.