Haha. I can't give out too much information. But to answer your other question. Dealership's ordering system is separate from configurator. The configurator was never meant to be used as an ordering system. It's meant to be used as a reference system to visually build out orderable models with high accuracy.

 

Motoring File reported on two new colors a while back:

VOLCANIC ORANGE (B70)
ICED CHOCOLATE METALLIC (B49)

VO is expected to replace Spice Orange, and Gabe compared it to BMW's Sakhir Orange...which was enough to convince me that I'd rather grab a 2013.

 

B49 Iced Chocolate already exists.

 

Did it already exist in February? That's when MF ran the article: http://www.motoringfile.com/2013/02/...ptions-colors/

 

Yes - B49 Iced Chocolate was a exclusive color for Highgate Package but is now open to Hardtop and Clubman models.

 

Okay. I can't speak to the intentions of the MF guys when they listed it, but...they did.

 

Soooooo happy I ordered my 2013...

 

I just talked to someone in Mini customer service. I asked specifically about the Clubman. She said they will be taking 2013 orders until mid-June, and then will be switching over to 2014. The 2014 orders will be taken starting in early August (approximately) and presumably be delivered by mid-September.

 

Ouch.. I know they don't change too much, but I was considering the R56 big time for purchase right after this summer. I guess I may go CMS or wait it out now

 

I am curious to see how much change there will be for the 2014 cooper.. interior layout and just to see if they really are getting rid of the large centered speedo...lol...a trademark of the MINI...

 

Here is the F56 interior spy shots

 

Center speedo is history from what we have seen.

 

Yeah, from what we've seen, the exterior is going to be a little different - still close enough that it will probably take a moment of consideration to decide which generation I'm looking at, in the wild - while the interior and the technology on offer will be hugely different. The tech stuff looks awesome, imo, but I'm pretty much as unimpressed with what we've seen of the new interior as anyone else. Not because of the speedometer moving or the loss of circular vents in the middle, but just because nothing we've seen has suggested MINI is moving to premium interior materials on par with their premium price tags.

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I really want to see what changes with the drivetrain.

 

I'm soooo glad I happened into my 2013 R56!!!

Happily Motoring On,
-John

 

Im hoping that those pics that have been floating around are just prototypes..not the finished product...It would be a shame if they start changing things that make MINIs unique or what make MINIs MINIs You think that speedo will really be gone???

 

The New engines sound really promising. Even with my reservations over some things, I don't think I'd be knocking down the doors to order one of the last R56s. If I had been in the market for a hatch, rather than a roadster, I would have waited a few months.

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Very good points!!

 

If it'll make you feel better, I can send you pics of the round air vents and center speedometer in my Toyota. Y'know, for perspective on how unique and brand defining those things are.


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My inside source said it will be an information center/gps/radio from now on.

 

ha ha well you have to remember that things like the big centered speedo are corky things that make MINIs different.. You get rid of these type things and all you have is just another car..lol.. IMO... Besides corky things sell!!

 

Well if that is what happens maybe it will be a change for the better..lol.. Am I the only one on here that thought the big centered speedo was cool??

 

I love it and it is part of what make up the MINI personality IMO. This is why I will never give up my R53.

 

I honestly don't have a strong opinion either way on the center speedo. I *do* like the overall shape -- if not the materials -- of the R56 interior, though with the optional Nav screen, the remaining floating needle rim speedometer isn't overly useful/readable. One thing that I don't love about the F56 interior that we've seen is that it doesn't have the edge-to-edge flowing shapes of the R56 or R50/3 cars. Everything feels more segmented and disparate. And, yes, more like any other car.

But here's the thing: as long as that interior is inside a small, sporty car with cute (yeah, I said it) styling, it's still a MINI to me. The promise of the new engines and technology more than outweighs the potential disappointment of the interior shapes.

Plus, I REALLY dig that giant start/stop toggle. That thing is awesome.

 

Well its good to see im not the only one