I suspect that all I've seen to date has been pure speculation. Is there any 'real' news or information out yet?

For example, is a complete redesign coming this fall (for 2013) with the rumored 3-cyl engine - or do we have to wait at least another year?

What about any new colors or features for 2013?

 

3rd gen comes out in fall of 2013, as a 2014 model. So 2013 will look the same as current car. Check motoring file they already reported this.

 

My link in the original post points to MotoringFile as the original source. However, the article states

I'll taked reportedly as a not definite. Granted, it's getting pretty late for a surprise reveal this fall (for a 2013 model). So, one would think that the article is correct.

 

Well, the 2013s are out and obviously nothing was changed

Any thoughts on whether the 2014s might be out before next fall?

 

2013 are the same as the 2012. Just was at MINI of Bedford, NH where they had abunch of 13 R56s.

 

Small differences noted here:
New style front wiper blades on R55, R56, R57, same as R58, R59, R60
AGM batteries are being phased into production.
Bluetooth/ USB now standard equipment in US market. gone is Free Sirius/XM.
I'm sure other differences are there as well since BMW/MINI makes running changes during production without announcement or fanfare.