Another day another awkward looking spy photo of the new MINI – this time from China. Rest assured we’re told the F56 is rather attractive and proportionally correct by those who have spent time with the car. But these spy photos (again taken are odd angles) don’t quite show it off in the best light. However one little nugget they do expose is that the Cooper S hood scoop is once again non-functional. How do we know? It’s taped shut on this test mule.
We had a good indication of this a few years ago when some at MINI were openly asking us what we thought of a Cooper S without one. The fact it’s there now would indicate it’s a styling piece meant to better differentiate the Cooper S and JCW models from the rest of the line-up.

Inside once again we see the low-end spec interior without the large infotainment screen that we’ve heard is crucial to many of the optional features on the new car. We’ve heard rumblings that the US may not even see this low-end spec.
Also seen here for the first time is the automatic lever as well as new seat fabric reminiscent of the fantastic cloth pattern optional on the Paceman.
The 2014 MINI will debut in Oxford on November 18th with a US on-sale date of late March. For a full rundown on the new MINI, check out the MotoringFile F56 FAQ.

 

 

Hmmm... I wonder if it's possible that the "low rent" interior will be reserved for the "One" models sold outside of the US. As far as the gear shifter is concerned, it looks similar to the DSG lever that BMW uses in the M cars. Also, optional cloth in the Countryman? Not in the US!

 

Ugh, clunky mess... Rectangles... Circles... Curves.. Straight lines... Bright work..

 

My guess is that a lot of the really ugly stuff is just to fill the need while testing. Big quality differences between different parts. To tell you the truth it looks like it will be a lot better than I was expecting.

 

I don't like it so far but I'm keeping my fingers crossed when they actually reveal the official car...

 

looks like a chinese copy to me

 

The weird bezel on the center looks almost like it's going to be some dumb lightshow kinda crap. some of it looks good, but the new speedo/tach looks like it was a last minute afterthought. Sad...

 

If they are going to keep the round center cluster..they should just put the speedo back there.. The way they have it now is just blah blah .. This whole dash looks like they used lego blocks...snap one here snap one there ect..lol.. horrible!!

 

I'm kinda stuck between if I like it or don't. I will wait to comment more.

 

so far what I see makes me even more thankful of the car I currently own..

 

my thoughts exactly. there are ALOT of Copies/imitators in china of actual car brands, (google it) Hopefully this is one.

 

Yea some of the past Mini copies were crazy..

But I think this is the real deal.. note the logo under the tape on the steering wheel.

Perhaps China already stole one to copy?

 

Lets not jump to quick, there was this rumor.
http://www.motoringfile.com/2013/05/...asian-markets/

 

1.) It's an automatic, hence the shifter.

2.) If that's what the center stack now looks like, I'd have to get either the connected or the nav. That little screen looks ridiculous.

3.) Not sure why they have a separate tack and speedo. I really like the current setup with the speed in the little window...

I'll reserve final judgment until I see the finished product...

 

Another observation: Did anybody notice in the second picture that there are roof rails, like on the Countryman and Paceman?

 

I prefer a big tach and small speedo right in front of me rather than what they have here. The big tach/small speedo is more performance oriented than the other way around.