http://www.motoringfile.com/2012/05/...ed/#more-24053

 

looks a bit longer or is it just an illusion?

 

I could be wrong, but it looks shorter, or at least the windows are shorter and the side panels deeper?

More blind spots + less tall-person friendly = no go for me.

Edit: My really bad attempt at superimposing the R56 window sizes on the new F56, this definitely makes the windows look smaller:

 

Looks like the front overhang is that...an overhang. No likey! Maybe it will clean up without the camo. I wonder if you can buy that camo?

 

Definitely don't like what I see so far. Hopefully the camouflage is just too good.

 

I haven't liked anything I've seen for the F56 so far. It's getting heavier, longer, fatter, etc...

 

..... looks like someone forgot to hold down shift when stretching it out. No but really lit looks to long. I will stick with my r56.

 

Looks absolutely awful

 

I have heard on the rumor mill that they are going to make it smaller and lighter then the r56 to get back to its roots. We will see. I would love to see people's opinion about the F56 as long as it isn't bitching like so many people do. Hopefully this thread stays alive for awhile.

 

It looks less like a bulldog and more like a daschund now.

 

I heard similar, but I also saw a concept for the Mini Zero http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/s...neration-mini/

If they don't make the Cooper much lighter/smaller, the Mini Zero seems to be the most "true to its roots" Mini since the company was bought by BMW.

Either way, not too fond of the overhang/front bumper either.The overall look reminds me of a down-sized Countryman

 

I like the taillights and the side view mirrors but that overhang is awful. Hopefully that's part of the testing mule and not the final production car. The rest of it looks pretty normal. I don't know that I would even consider replacing my current R56 with that one if I had to based on those images.

 

The way of the world: All cars get bigger, heavier, and more powerful in later versions.

Hopefully this means they'll be bringing out the smaller and lighter version to slot in "below" this one.

Yeah, it doesn't do much for me either. There's something very inelegant about the bonnet/windscreen transition that bothers me.

 

It's got WAY TOO MUCH NOSE! Hopefully that is just some thicker camo to hide the real look.

 

I do think the camo messes with the design much more than we think in this instance but I agree the front end looks bad. It even looks like it bends/sags a bit where the front meets the windscreen but it's probably an illusion. I can't remember a new MINI that's come out where folks didnt ***** up a storm. The dust will settle and these will sell like hot cakes.

The headlights look interesting!

 

There is a possibilty for this prototype that they extended the nose becuase they might be testing a new powerplant. By far I would not consider this as the new generation as there is almost a year before they will release it as the final product. Now if we are getting these photos next year at this time or later yeah I wwould probably be upset.

 

looks like an infiniti fx35

 

HMMM.....

Kinda reminds me of the new Mazda3's. Coming from mazda, I would like it. But also coming from Mazda, I don't like the shape on the MINI cuz it's not necessarily their "true" shape. Guess we'll see how it looks when it's finally revealed!

 

I hope there is a lot of add on stuff on this to hide the true shape. I don't like the overhang.

Article says overhang is to meet EU standards.

"Slighty more front overhang (Pedestrian impact standards in the EU make wheels and the corners pretty much impossible unless it’s mid-engined)"

I guess they mean "wheels on the corners"

Doesn't makes sense to me. Not sure how placement of motor effects wheels on the corners.

So far I am not there.

Anyway I have the 2012 and it is great. Maybe by the time I am ready for a new MINI they will have a smaller MINI close to the size of the smart car but much wider (Like original Mini size) and the same power or more than the 2012.

 

It is FWD and they are considering incresing the displacement to 2L so a bigger engine means the need for more room. Also they have talked about putting a diesel in the new ones too so that might need some rearranging of the car. Hopefully the over hang gets scrapped for something more aesthetically pleasing and just as safe.

 

Looks absolutely horrendous.

I think this is the 1 series hatch and they are disguising it as a MINI. The F56 is going to be based off the next gen 1 series hatch. BMW could easily be swapping parts to confuse people more. The original spy shots of the F56 was later revealed to be the 1 series in disguise. Im sure this is too.

All that looks like is an R56 that ate 10 too many donuts. The overall style is hardly different other than that. The nF56 should be a huge departure from the R56. Plus didnt they say it will be smaller again?

If this is how the next MINI will look like, I can 100% say I will never buy a new one. That looks like a kitchen appliance. It might as well have a badge that says "MINI: made by Toyota"

 

I am not sure how a diesel would make a difference as they already have SD models in the current 2nd Gen MINIs.

 

Different size maybe? I am speculating here....

 

No problem! I was just wondering. I think the engine aspect is too unknown at this point. Since they are supposed to go to three cylinders but then maybe JCWs will have four..so I guess only time will tell what happens.