2013 Mini update ...

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mini/20...-ar119344.html

 

I really hope they churn out an R56, GP-like model at the end of next year.

 

Lame...

 

This article doesn't have very solid grounding in facts. The quote above is an excellent piece of evidence showing that. So they found a test car that was camouflaged and took the effort to come up with some theories. Nothing really to see here, just a silly article with theories and opinions.

 

"next to the four cylinder lineup"
so wait, is this saying that the 2013 cars will get both 3 and 4 cylinder powerplants?

 

That does not look very nice, I know it is covered with all the camouflage but from what you can tell it really just does not look great. Why do they have to go a mess with the main model ?? isnt that why they have been making all the other models ??

 

It looks like a shoebox! Glad I got the 2012.

 

My guy hasn't even been built yet and I'm glad I am also getting a 2012

 

NO! That's NOT the new MINI.

See MotoringFile

"Worldcarfans is recycling spy photos today of a MINI prototype that we saw earlier this summer. Is this the new MINI? Actually it’s a strange franken-car that is made up of an R56 body wrapped around a BMW version of the UKL1 platform. Basically a serious case of cloak and dagger meant to throw-off sites such as Worldcarfans.

So if this isn’t the new MINI why does it look like a MINI (sorta)? With the UKL1 platform destined to underpin both the small fwd BMW city car and the 3rd generation MINI, the components (including the interior) are somewhat interchangeable. That means as BMW develops the 3rd-gen MINI (code-named the F56) it’s essentially developing the new FWD BMW alongside it. It’s also the reason why we see a BMW interior in what appears to be a MINI. So yes there are bits and pieces completely hidden from our view in the images here that will end up on the F56. But they are deep within this prototype and aren’t worth any conjecture at this point.

And don’t expect any relevant information by reading the specifics within the Worldcarfans article as it’s pretty far off-base. Instead check out the MotoringFile F56 section for the best information on the web on the F5X series of upcoming MINIs."

http://www.motoringfile.com/2011/08/...-the-new-mini/

 

No thanks on either one of those! They both look like poop in my book, I will stick with my 1st gen until it is a pile of rust in my garage.

 

Looking at the blue car on the Motoringfile website, you can certainly see the BMW influence in the crease line at the top of the doors. Looks like the crease on the 1 series (and the 3 series but it's lower on the door on the 3 series). I'm not sure I want my Mini to look like a miniature BMW.

 

+1 on this. These photos have been floating around for at least 4 months. Motoringfile has it right.