I am curious if anyone have seen one of these up-close - but there was one interesting thing when I saw it up in the Canyons in Calabasas. I saw the tail bumper lights and started to walk towards the guy and ask him if that is a 07 Cooper S. He and his friends nodded and walked away without saying another word... It’s very odd for the Mini community to have that kind of way about going with their car. I was bum on his reaction as he ignores another mini owner.

 

he was prolly just mad cuz yours is faster

 

It's possible he wasn't a MINI owner. R56 isn't even being launched til November. Could it have been a BMW test car out for a weekend lark?? If so, they may have been warned to avoid over-inquisitive enthusiasts.

 

It wasn't camo at all though... I was thinking the samething in my head cause I did not know that the car is already out... good point. any other people that can jump into this ?

 

More than likely it was one of the long range test crew from Oxnard. The first 02 cooper pics were caught on the 101fwy months before it was seen anywhere else. They were probalbly under orders not to make much of a splash perhaps.

 

well - I am stoked that I got to see one upclose and heard the new turbo engine... I first thought it was just exhaust.. good point ! just blew my mind if that was mini owner with that kind of re-action.. phew... good thing to know it probably was a test car

 

OK, so what did it sound like in person?

 

When the car first rolled up to park. I thought it was a mini that had a exhaust and perhaps CAI. Although the throttle and the overall tone of the car sounds really have the turbo tune to it after I spotted that its a 07 S. Overall if you were to really listen to it, you can tell that its turbo for sure.

 

BMW does a lot of testing in Calabasas, I've seen several as yet to be released BMW's in the area; E92 M3, E93 convertible, R56 Mini, and before they were released E60 M5, E63 M6. It's an ideal location for testing because there are many variations in road types, most of which are in relatively secluded areas away from the lenses of spy photographers. I'd love to see the R56 S, hopefully I'll see one soon enough.

 

good to know I am very happy that I got to see a R56 up close in person. Had a peak at the interior and walked around the car - listend to it breath... I still love my R53 though but the R56 sure are just as nice.

 

Test car is my guess, and that yes, he has to be discreet about it.