Let's lose the cute...
 

Let's make it undrivable on public roads? :wink:

I'm not too sure about the chin spoiler and light bar in your drawings...looks sort of ricey and at any rate not practical (the stock one on my S is constantly getting banged up as it is). But I'm intrigued by the added length of the car overall. I'd be for that so long as the car was subsequently narrowed. Interesting.

If these are your ideas,they look really good.That being said,I hope you never have to drive one of these so designed cars in snow:eek: .I'd truley love to see the cheeseball wheel arch plastic trim pieces gone as you displayed!

Without losing too much perspective here, this is merely a concept...just being speculative. Certainly this concept could not be driven in a blizzard, but that is the reason for the thread...different variations.

Perhaps I need to alter this concept for an AWD version to eventually enter in to the WRC. :grin:

I'm not going to reveal the design basis here, but it is based on a another British marque, and jsun you'd laugh at your own 'sort of ricey' comment if you knew. :wink:

Coop,


You've described what I am already in the process of doing with my MCS :lol: :lol: . Great images. Yes, we really need the side exhausts and the four Rally lamps on the next-gen vehicles.

It reminds me of a Jag XKE...which is why I said it needs to be narrower if it's going to be longer.

Great concept for the S! I for one think you're on the right track. Just don't forget the 245/35 or 40 /18's.:grin:

It's like you've cross-bred an //M Coupe and an R50/R53, overall I like it :wink:

Let's lose the underbite!
 

Your concept has a terrible jawline! I'll take the flared fenders without plastic trim, and maybe the modified hood scoop.

I only paid $21,800 for my 04 MCS - so I would hope an 07 would be pretty far under $30K!

Personally, I don't want more power (blasphemer that I am), more wheelbase, or more of anything really. Except for more lightness. How is my MCS only 200 lbs lighter than my Jetta was?!

Craig, I don't think it's a MINI you want but a different car altogether. Somehow one design lasted more the 40 years without major appearance modifications. I know we don't do that with cars anymore...but as much as I've always liked your drawings..it's just not a MINI. Longer?? Only if it's a wagon or a pick-up. Either one I would jump at!


Jeff

GREAT STUFF!!! I love it...it may not be for everyone...howeve that's why I want two more minis...so I can have a daily driver....a racer...and one like you just designed

GOOD SHOW!!!!

If you lengthen the wheelbase and narrow the body, won't you lose a lot of the 'cheeky' handling characteristics that we all so love? I'll take mine just the way she is, thanks!

A MINI wagon would be kinda fun, tho... :grin:

I agree that the 'chin' is too aggressive looking, but that's just my taste. I think your designs are good COOP, but for a much narrower segment of the current MINI market. If MINI went in this direction they'd lose a lot of customers IMO.

well i have just graduated from design school and am working on some new body styles for the mini right now, body kits wide body kits and some realy sutbel accents for some purritans, it dosent take much to ruin the design, but just a little added touches can make it shine, from the saying less is more, you just have to be carfull where you place things just inches off can ruin the design, oh yea im an artiist not a speller so sorry bout the spelling!!!:lol:


"it dosent take much to ruin the design, but just a little added touches can make it shine"

shite i just made a ryme....

well back to work!!!

The Sad Truth
 

Wow, great images. I really like some of the ideas here and have a few of my own. However I just read an interesting article in the new EVO magazine (European publication). It stated that BMW was looking for way to produce the 07 Mini much cheaper than the current model. The first step is the new engine. They wrote of suspension, cosmetic and options as places to "cheapen". BMW's reasoning was that they never intended the new Mini to be so popular thus they could afford to lose money (or not make as much) on a niche vehicle. However the sales have been very high so they basically have a loss leader on their hands. I don't know about you but it sounds like 05/06 might be the best Minis manufactured. I realize this is speculation but it kinda makes sense. I'm sorry I don't have direct quotes but you should check out the magazine if curious.

I was into classic Minis, so cute is fine w/ me. Nice renderings though!!

Bigger no no no
 

Please, MINI, do whatever moves you in the styling arena, just don't make the car bigger. Don't make the car bigger. Don't make the car bigger.........