The next-generation MINI is getting closer to its late-2013 launch and heavily disguised Cooper S (above) and Cooper (below) models have been spied in Germany. These are likely to be pre-production models, which started rolling down the line in April.
Longer and wider than the current R56 MINI, the new model will be the first to have a conventional instrument cluster; forever consigning the large centrally-mounted speedometer to the history books.
The Cooper S and JCW models will still use a turbocharged 1.6 litre engine, but lower-spec F56 MINIs will use three cylinder units developed by BMW.
MINI is continuing its global march from niche player to relative volume seller with word that a production facility in China is now on the cards. The Shenyang Plant is expected to commence production in 2015 and is slated to build MINIs and front-wheel drive BMWs destined for Asian markets.
At the moment Countrymans are built by Magna Styer in Austria and NedCar in the Netherlands is signed up to build F56 MINIs as well.
We rather liked it when all MINIs came from Oxford and they had stupidly sized speedos in the middle of the dash and were genuinely different to their competition. Now we’re alert, and maybe even alarmed, at the way BMW is slowly stripping away some of the character traits that made a MINI a MINI.
Please, BMW, don’t dilute the MINI brand down so much that it becomes just another BMW product.
[Source: WCF & Autocar]

 

I keep reading wider and longer. Must be true. Please, MINI, bigger is not always better !

At this point, I'm really rooting for the Rocketman to go into production.

 

My sources tell me it'll be under 4 inches higher, longer and wider.

 

• A five-door hatchback F54, due in summer 2014, challenging the new A-class and A1 Sportback
• A four-door Clubman F54, due in summer 2015, takes on Mercedes CLC Shooting Brake and Audi A3 Sportback, gaining a fourth door, 10 inches in length and therefore more boot space.
• A five-door Sportvan F58, due in spring 2016, sporting a lower roof, longer-wheelbase designed in essence as a people carrier
• A four-door saloon F59, due in autumn 2016, all-new notchback zooms in on A3 Sportback

 

If all this is true, I will seriously consider buying my car from the finance company when the lease expires.

 

Well that sucks...1.6L to stay...

 

My '06 R53 was my first and my '12 R60 looks like it may be the last...especially if MINI is going to be produced in China. To me that right there takes away the heart of a MINI.

 

The China-built MINIs are only going to be for that market, the F56 is definitely still going to be built in Oxford at least for most markets (the new "body-in-white" factory is already built and the robots are being installed and configured by consultants right now). Also your R60 was built in Austria, why would moving construction to China be any different. In my mind, MINIs are built and assembled in Oxford, and I doubt I'll ever buy one that was built elsewhere.

 

Who said they'll be produced in China?

 

I do absoluytely see your point MINI's being built in Oxford, and yes it should have stayed that way. I also didn't know that they had already begun producing the facility for the F56 in Oxford...good to know. The only reason I brought up China is because it was mentioned as a "possibility" in a post above.

I do also know that the Countryman was built in Austria, transmission built in Germany with the engine built in France...but Austria is a lot closer to Oxford than China. To answer your question about why would moving construction to China be any different. BMW is a German vehicle and MINI being owned by BMW makes more sense to me that the R60 is produced out of Austria. Being produced in Austria rather than China makes no sense...two completely different worlds. I know that there are BMW models (X3, X5, etc) being produced out of N. Carolina and S. Carolina. It's not a matter of something being produced out of China either, so please let's not us turn it into that

 

It was mentioned as a "possibility" in a post above...I could've easily misinterpreted it.

 

i thought the r60's were made in austrailia?

 

Most articles seem to point to it as a possibility for the purposes of sales and distribution to South East Asia. Building cars where you are going to sell them is becoming more common across all brands with any real volume as freight costs increase. It's also a great way to work around duty/tax implications - usually you can get good duty rates on importing components compared to higher rates on finished goods, potential government subsidies to create jobs, etc...

 

Well glad my R56 wasn't made in China. No thanks.

But I'm still interested to see this final product of the F56, I might like it!

 

Agreed, it was hard for me to swallow that my R53 had a Chrysler engine.

I also agree that I want to see the final F56.

 

Could MINI produce the next generation hatch in China? According to Autocar it’s a real possibility. However according to the source these cars would be meant for local Asian markets and not be exported on Europe or North America.
Beyond China (which is just a rumor at this point) MINI will be building the F56 in the Netherlands as well as at it’s historical home of Oxford.
Does China production somehow make MINI feel less exclusive or British? Do you care if your English MINI is also being produced in China?

http://www.motoringfile.com/2013/05/...asian-markets/

 

I wonder if Mini will do away with the loathed run flats?

 

Unless they find a place to store a spare i doubt it.

 

A few days ago, we brought you some spy shots showing the next-generation Mini Cooper wearing less camouflage than ever. Today, we get a good look at the Cooper S version to start stripping.
Our spy photographers caught the Cooper S testing on the public roads in Germany, and just like with the standard Cooper, it has started showing the front bumper, redesigned headlights, and the new taillight graphics.
The next Mini Cooper will be built on BMW’s new UKL platform that will also be shared with the next-generation BMW 1 Series and will be offered in both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive versions. For the first time, Mini will offer a new family of three-cylinder engines, along with the usual four-cylinder ones.
The new-generation Mini Cooper will make its world debut in September at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. For the first time, the Cooper will be offered in ten different body versions.

 

Doesn't look like a drastic exterior change..?

 

Are they trying to trick us into thinking the F56 is going to have roof rails ?? Good Lord, I hope it doesn't !!

 

I'll take front wheel with the 3 cylinder since the Midwest sucks when it comes to gas prices.

 

I really wish the 2.0L was in the works. It made perfect sense to put some 'noticeable' difference between the S and non-S in terms of HP. Wonder what happened???

 

2014 MINI Cooper spy video

Goes on sale 12 months from now

The new generation of the MINI Cooper has been spied while conducting some winter testing.
Set for an official unveiling sometime this year, the next generation of the MINI is scheduled to go on sale in March 2014. The car is being developed on BMW’s UKL platform which will underpin 10-12 compact MINI and BMW front-wheel drive models.
Compared to current generation, the new MINI is expected to grow in size and be offered with several engines, including a three-cylinder, 1.5-liter producing 128 hp (96 kW) and 148 hp (110 kW) offered in gasoline and diesel versions. It will also borrow the four-cylinder, 2.0-liter mill from the BMW 1-Series.
The more potent Cooper S is likely to use a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 178 hp (132 kW) and 217 hp (162 kW) in the John Cooper Works (JCW) model. Rumors are indicating MINI is collaborating with PSA for a hybrid front-wheel variant.

 

So which one?