courtesy from motoringfile.com I'm diggin the big red start/stop toggle switch

 

Not sure how I feel about this new look. It's very sleek and nice but kinda loses the MINI quirk. Will definitely appeal to a wider consumer market though.

 

Start/Stop toggle switch is way cool.

Like a race car or fighter jet.

 

This actually sucks. Heat/AC controls now look like better than 50% of the cars out there. NOT MINI at all.

 

Maybe I'll be a minority opinion, but I think it's much better than what the current car is. Sure, it's cool and unique to have it's own quirks, but I think you can still do that and be more user friendly than the current R56. I like it.

 

How are 8 small buttons that all look alike user friendly??? Good luck trying to push the correct one while driving through traffic.

 

Bad decision. Switches that will not be used while driving should never be grouped with those that are. A basic human factors principle. This will be broadly panned.

 

Yeah, the placement of the start/stop switch right below the climate controls (not to mention directly in front of the shifter) seems like it would invite accidental switches. I'm assuming there will be some safeguards built in so that you can't accidentally shut the car off while it's in motion, in gear, etc. Still though, the logical place for a start/stop button is right where it is now, by the key slot. Why move it?

 

Call me crazy, but I like it. Only thing I dislike is the positioning of the Start/Stop switch.

 

I like the climate controls but the toggles just scream ricer. I can see where BMW is starting to influence MINI a lot in this prototype interior because that is all it is a prototyp and not the final product.

 

I've seen cars that have a dashboard with 35+ buttons, which all look similar. That can be a mess. But at least to me, one row of buttons wouldn't create much of an issue.

Curious to see what the new radio controls are going to look like.

 

that's exactly how i feel. i'm concerned with accidentally toggling it while driving. i know it's big and red but i really like it up by the wheel where it is now. it makes sense. i don't mind the AC switches/controls to be honest. i think it's still somewhat MINI but mainstream enough. i have to admit that sometimes it's hard for me to push the controls on my MINI now because i tend to have longer nails. with all the buttons in a row like that though i am a bit worried about hitting the right one while i'm not looking ha.

 

I am not a fan of this new configuration...

My biggest ergonomics beef with my 2012 MCS, are the toggles for windows and fogs - I find myself accidentally moving windows when trying to turn on the lights, or flashing other drivers while trying to move windows! Armed with that knowledge, I can see myself toggling the traction control to turn on the cruise - let alone the start stop switch!
As for the climate controls just above the toggles: think super thick gloves poking at those little buttons, just above the crittical toggles on a -20C morning...
I'm liking my 2012 MCS more and more, and I AM getting used to the toggle placement - in a few years I may be able to toggle correctly by feel alone!
E

 

I prefer toggles over button-mashing.

I am definitely not a fan of putting any controls on the center clusters that the passenger (or rally co-pilot) has no business touching.

Let the passenger play with the climate, sound, nav, interior lighting, windows, locks, etc.

 

I have liked the toggles since the MINI returned. So I'm glad to see they're sticking around.

I LOVE the new start/stop switch. Looks cool and a big improvement over the tiny button next to the silly fob caddy in the current model.

Yeah, the HVAC controls are a little more boring, but...meh. I don't need my Air Conditioner to be exciting.

My only real concern is whether this new layout will allow for colorized customizations the way dashes of MINIs past have.

 

If you look at the last pic they posted -- http://www.motoringfile.com/2012/07/...nt-navigation/ -- it's hard to imagine how either the different dash materials, or the lower "color line" could fit into this design.

 

Don't worry...you're not alone!

 

Looks like a BMW. Nice but not MINI

 

Love it!

 

If the final materials end up making the interior of the MINI feel as expensive as it actually is, I will likely forgive the deletion of all color and character.

 

I agree. Why do they go out of their way to make things hard to use?! I think you can make it quirky AND user friendly. At least the dials work and look like dials, I hope.I can see law suits coming for that start switch.."your honor, I reached down thinking I was switching on the fog light and hit the start switch stopping the engine which caused several cars to ram into me..."