Anybody take a look at the most recent photo of the Mini2 over at Gabe's? It looks niiiiiiiiiiiccccee. That new grill looks aggressive and the paint they have on it (hope it's offered) is lush. Cleaner lines without the scoop too.

Check it out...www.motoringfile.com/2005/01/03/the_next_mini_becomes_more_clear

 

I'm glad i have an early build car....those are getting pretty agressive looking and much less like the original. If someone is looking for an agressive car, there are plenty out there on the market. I personally think that they should continue with the design they have (with slight modifications over time of course) because they have hit a styling cue that appeals to many and is unmatched by the rest of the car industry. Making the lines sharper and the traits more slanted is just going to make it look like another run of the mill sport-hatch. That's just my opinion though

 

DITTO, RallyMINI! I hope they don't really mess too much with the new MINI's lines. I love them!! Waaaaahhhhhh!!!

Clover

 

Wow, I really dislike that grille! It looks bloated and awkwardly disproportionate. I'm still trying to think of the bloated GM monstrosity that it reminds me of. Much more nifty and loud, much less classy and dignified. I hope that version doesn't go to production.

 

U-G-L-Y
Ugly!!!

 

I suspect the production model will look something like that. In previous reports it's been said that the grill will be larger and look somewhat closer to the original mini. I'm not sure it looks much like the original, but it certainly is larger.
I like it, and I think they did a good job with the seams between the bonnet and the rest of the front end. Being as we're loosing the clamshell, they still maintained a very clean seam. I still think it looks distinctively 'Mini'. Certainly can't compare it to any other hatchback I've seen around. Also seems that many people like a more aggressive front end given all those who are getting aero kits and other aftermarket body kits. Looks like this front end heads more in that direction.

 

The turbo in the "higher power" Cooper almost makes the Cooper S pointless (from an aftermarket potential), unless the S also has greatly improved engine internals like the current one.

I actually kind of like the p-shop rendering, asssuming it's overdrawn a bit to emphasize the new design character. Yuk on the turn signal indicators in the rearview mirrors though! I'd like to see the greenhouse and the door skin stay the same, actually.

I can also deal with "a few millimeters bigger" provided it's not much more than that. If I can walk up to it and tell it's bigger, then the whole point of the Mini turn MINI is starting to fade.

I'm kinda freaking out on the pricing; £12.5k = $23.8k and £16k equals $30.5k! damn our weak dollar

 

Aw, gee.....one of the most fun things at the Dragon last May was at the end of the Midnight Run on the Dragon, at the big pullout, everyone kept their headlights on, popped their bonnets to cool things down, and the resulting headlights into the sky were captured by many MINIacs...AWESOME! With the new styling, that will be a thing of the past.

I like the super-charged MCS and I like the scoop in the bonnet! So THERE!

Clover

 

Well, sweetie...they are counting on the enthusiasts coughing up the big bucks for the JCW package for the new MCS.


Clover

 

oops - well I just hope the next gen MCS still has a reasonably bulletproof long-block like the current one

 

I don't disagree about the scoop, and I agree with the sentiments about the turn signals on the rearviews...but given we are definitely loosing the scoop, what's pictured ain't so bad.

 

Come to the Dragon this May, Sticky! We'll be doing the Midnight Run on the Dragon again and you have to see how cool it is when 65-75 MINIs have their bonnets up with the headlights going into the nightsky! It is AWESOME!


Clover

 

I'd love too. Saw pictures from last year, though I don't think there were any of that luminous display.

 

I know that some exist, but here is all I could find doing a sloppy search, tee hee! Cool image, huh! It was taken by BuckDodgers!





Clover

 

Neat image. Thanks

 

C'mon, it's just another poor Autocar photoshop job...pure speculation again...they're selling magazines folks...I shall take this as I do all of Autocar's "scoops"...with a grain of salt.

 

shame

 

I don't like it...

 

I ditto your ditto. That grill looks like a generic European small car. Nice for Citroen, not so much for a Mini.

 

Looks like BMW lost the plot when they lost Frank Stephenson.

Car builders nowadays just dont get it. Change to the MINI line was not warranted, in fact, come 2007, 50 bucks says the factory will still be working at capacity, these new guys in charge of the MINI project are first rate clowns... who definitely weren't part of the original (passionate) project. Rookies. This my friends, is a classic example of bringing in new in-experienced people, who brag of achievements that arent their own.

I'm surprised they didnt make the car bigger for the "extra boot space". LOL. bloody fools.

 

Change may not have been warranted by the market, but some changes were required by both changes in safety standards and the desire to get a better engine. The biggest mechanical change is the engine which is rumoured to get variable valve timing. This should improve both low end torque and fuel economy. The biggest style change was to meet the new pedestrian crush zone requirements in Europe. They must have a crush zone between the sheet metal of the bonnet and the engine. The crush requirement could also be one reason why the headlights are now mounted to the body.

 

It's not to bad. I do like the current mini better!

 

I also think it´s a photoshop. It looks odd and disproportionate. If you compare the headlamps you´ll see they are the same, only slanted.

 

This new front grill just make MINI look like a fish.

 

what kinda fish?... Trevali?

I like Trevali. With chips.