The pictures are all of a camouflaged, but clearly different next gen mini cooper. The grille is smaller, the front is a bit flatter, and the headlights are much larger. The car looks a bit wider and a bit longer with an extended hood. Also, supposedly the interior is quite a bit different too, with the main difference of removing the center speedometer, which I personally thought was great. Side story: I once got pulled over driving somewhere between 70-85 and the officer asked me how fast I was going, and I honestly wasn't sure so I told him I thought I was going around 80 but I wasn't sure and he told me I'd better know how fast I was going with a speedometer that size in my car. I guess now I wouldn't have that problem since the middle speedometer is being removed.
So what do you guys think of the new mini? Personally I'm really excited to see what it looks like without some of that camouflage.

 

You know looking at that thing now from another angle I really don't think it is the new hardtop. It looks more like the new Countryman Coupe. Though they have already released spy shots of that. Hmmmm something is going on with the car and it is kind of fishy.

 

Every thing I've read says it will still have the center mount speedo, and that there have been BMW mules running around with MINI body work on them as a disguise....this could be one of those.

Or it could be that I'm just talking thru my hat!

 

I'd bet cash that this is not the final design, that the head/tail lights on this mockup are fake, and that the final version will most likely have the speedometer in the same place it's always been.
j

 

Well motoringfile stated that they are releasing the 2013 at MINI United so we will know for sure by Monday.

 

I bet you it's the new bmw 1 series since they are sharing the same platform. big clue is the interior and lack of center speedo obviously. but then again, it could be the new mini with a 1 series interior.... hmmmm

 

Not sure where it was posted, but I read somewhere that the test mules were fitted with the BMW 1-series dash in order to hide the new interior. Someone at Mini supposedly said they will not give up the trademark Mini styling. Like I said I have no proof since I can't remember where I saw that but I know it didn't come out of thin air.