Hmmm - guess I'm lucky because the window toggle switches are still in the center console of my 2013 MCS R-56.

 

Yes. I too like the center window toggles. In fact I am thinking about adding electric windows to my 68 International Travelall 4x4 Adventure Rig and putting the toggles in a radio delete center panel because I like them so much. You can work all the windows from either seat!

Funny thing, the Travelall has its' ignition switch on the left side of the steering column like a Porsche. I've heard new owners that are used to it on the right bi*ch and moan about that too. Please...

After riding in a friend's new Dodge Dart Limited with all the bells and whistles, including a center 8.5" rectangular navigation screen, I'm all for finding a way to make the Mini center navigation screen much larger. If that means moving the analog dial speedo, then so be it. There's already a digital readout in the tach on mine and a speedo/tach combo would be easy enough to design.

Change is sometimes hard to accept, but change itself doesn't have to mean there aren't advantages gained or style lost.

 

I was also told that the window switches will be on the doors instead of center console. I had forgotten to say this. Again, this is with the 2014 model.

 

So maybe MiNiDave meant 2014's rather than 2013's?

I guess that's what I would say to that.

 

I'm reading this thread and finding it amusing that second gen owners are speculating that the third gen will be a massive fail and very "un-MINI" like. I remember years ago that's exactly how first gen owners felt about the second gen MINIs and yet here we have it. The second gen MINI is a great MINI. I can tell you right now the proportions of a R56 and F56 will be near exact, an inch difference at the most.

 

What do you mean that the first generation Minis felt that the 2nd generation was a fail. THEY STILL DO!

 

I drove a 2013 Countryman with the switches on the door, and a flat rear seat......just the other day.

 

2014 Hardtops.....................

 

Well here are the new pics of the interior.

 

That looks really nice!

 

I don't get the square radio in the round hole. Also those square vents in the middle are quite terrible. I'm assuming the nav option will look a little better.

The tach looks pretty cool, assuming there is an actual tach attached somewhere and they haven't just done away with that and replaced it with a digital readout.

I'd say it's probably a small step up in functionality and a small step down in aesthetics. It looks busier and the lines don't flow as nice as the current cars. I think the only thing that is better here is the tiny row of push buttons below the AC controls; that's a better layout than what we currently have.

 

Hold up...

Toggle switch furthest right. Is that an electronic parking brake? They better not even...

 

Yes it is. They leaked that out awhile ago.

 

That can't possibly be true. We are all whining about the speedo being taken out of the center while this is happening?!

I guess it's ok if there's still a handbrake but typically there is not.

 

Looks bad

 

Agreed

 

I like the way the dash goes around the center, kind of like the first gen cars. The rest of it just looks like there is too much going on. I also dont like the square and round theme.

 

Stupid. I'm sorry, MINI is changing dramatically to please consumers who really don't understand this car's tradition. I don't want my car looking like a knock off BMW interior or other types of B-O-R-I-N-G cars. If the 14' CM JCW looks like this, I am definitely NOT buying a MINI. God help us..

 

If you look closely, that is a P with a radar wave and a road cone. Standard symbol styling most commonly used to enable/disable back-up sensors on vehicles that could pull a trailer so it doesn't constantly think you're about to back into something when reversing.

 

The electronic parking brake ive seen is a P with a circle abound it. Looks like the brake service light on the tacho screen on a Mini

 

Holly-Molly! Not sure were to look first. Rectangular vents in the center and round vents on the sides? How many buttons does a steering wheel need? I hate to say it, but that dash just doesn't flow... Hope it grows on me with time...

 

Did anyone notice the big smiley face on the center speedo? Look at the two control ***** and the bottom semi-circle of buttons.

I'm not sure I would dig the feeling of something smiling at me so often.

 

There's a lot of empty space between everything, I'm guessing they'll be some type of color/pattern options covers to be attached to make the dash flow a lot better

 

They could have at least form the MINI wing logo with center circle and vents, but it looks like an upside-down version of that...

MF says the steering wheel is indeed a BMW one just to throw us off, and there was another photo added later showing more MINI-like steering wheel.

Center Speedo is always a conversation starter and I'll miss it.

Very sad that the tach is now pushed aside, an the whole speedo/tach area looks very unfinished ID-wise.

I'm a fan of center stack window control as I can control while my left hand stays on steering wheel. My old Golf Cabriolet had them there and I liked it then. I'll miss them.

I'm assuming upper grade dash with large Connected screen will look more "together" as all those buttons will go away from the circle, but then again you are just putting a rectangle into a circle for really no reason other than the fact you want to keep the circle there. (unless they can do circler display or something)

I'm now afraid more than before how the exterior will look.

MF's article with this photo got over 130 comments and majority of them are extremely negative. I'm sure R53 to R56 change met some resistance, but was that time this bad?

 

I've seen some R53s and I still don't really understand why many thought the change was so dramatic. It doesn't seem too different to me, but I have an R56, so maybe I just don't understand.