I just came across this article...



Inside Line On MINI Estate



ot only has this week's mag scooped rivals and shown the first sensational images of MINI's new estate, but we are also the first magazine to bring you pictures of the fresh car's cabin. They show how MINI is being even more adventurous with its interior styling.

The new dashboard will be thicker and wider than the current one, and features a selection of wood, plastic or body-coloured inserts depending on the trim level. It will get air vents in pods at each end, as on the original Mini, plus additional vents mounted in the middle of the dash.

While the central speedometer will remain, it will be made much larger to incorporate a head-up display for the radio and trip computer, as well as doubling up as the sat-nav screen on more upmarket variants. The heater dials will be moved lower down in the centre console, with their own digital read-out, while minor controls and window switches will remain on chrome toggle switches in front of the gearlever, as in the current car.

Also incorporated in the centre console is a DVD system and an MP3 player. Meanwhile, a Bluetooth-compatible communications package, using the same technology as that recently introduced on the facelifted BMW 7-Series, could well appear in the plushest variants.

Our pictures all show a car with a six-speed manual transmission. This suggests that the gearbox will become standard across the MINI range when the new model makes its debut, rather than simply being fitted to the flagship Cooper S variant as at present.

Other intriguing features include a small joystick ahead of the handbrake, which could well signal the introduction of BMW's trademark iDrive system to the MINI line-up. There is also a 'Sport' button ahead of the gearlever. This may act in a similar way to that fitted to the Vauxhall Astra, sharpening the steering and throttle response, plus stiffening the damper rates when tackling more challenging routes. The two additional buttons located either side of the joystick appear to be the controls for the heated seats. These look chunkier and much simpler to use than the fiddly items which are available on the existing MINI. This fresh cabin is also expected to address some of the criticisms levelled at the existing one. You could expect additional interior storage areas, greater legroom for rear passengers and a more usable boot when the new model appears in 2007.
-Craig Cheetham




Reading an article in the Italian "Cambio" car magazine, I see the pic of the yellow wagon, which seems to be close to production ready. But to me it still looks like the current model. It proclaims "on sale in late 2006".
-Pete

 

A little more room...

 

I'm not sure whether you are relating those photos to the article, but the pics are actually over a year old and it's an Italian company that produced those models, nothing to do with BMW/MINI...check out their website.

www.carrozzeriacastagna.com/

2004-02-05 - Castagna Mini Woody - Carrozzeria Castagna will introduce a one-off estate version of the Mini at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show. The Mini woody revives the Austin Mini Countryman of the 1960s. The back has been extended with 25 centimetre and wood stripes were added for the sake of authenticity. New 18" wheels carry the enlargened body. A matching set of Pellux hand-made suitcases enhances the luggage compartment. Source: AutoIndex.org

Note the date...February 2004

 

You're right. The Castagna versions have been out a while.

The "news" is the Mini's version of the concept, which appeared on front of the European mag I picked up. It looks like a production vehicle. Door design a'la RX8 or Saturn Coupe.

In the article they showed pics of the new Mini interior, but the yellow body looks like a stretched version of current model. It said expect it in 2006. ???

 

I don't know about any of you guys, but my car already has those "additional" vents.

 

Wicker interior in the boot area is interesting! I don't like the long overhand, though, of the back-end of the Estate....weird-looking line.


Clover

 

The Autoexpress image car appears to have retained the MINI-mum overhang. The long wheelbase should provide a smoother ride, but I would strap down the luggage in an autocross. Thanks for the update from Europe.

 

If I wanted a PT Cruiser, I would have bought one


To me, and this is just my opinion, the MINI as a wagon is just plain nutso.

 

What's really dumb about this concept is that the only thing that's actually mini about our MINIs is the length. It's as tall and wide as many compact cars. Stretch it out lengthwise, and its defining factor is gone. Not that I expect that to matter to BMW.

 

I have a picture somewhere of a Mini parked back to back to a Smart. Mini is much larger. Someone mentioned that the Mini is actually not that small. True enough! Compared to a majority of the european economy cars, the Mini is large! As far a sbeing the smallest car in America, well, maybe current new cars, but it is also larger than the Suzuki Swift (aka Geo Metro), Suzuki Samurai, and Daihatsu Charade.

My current daily driver (for a few more weeks) is a 1991 Innocenti "Mini" Small LS. It is tiny, yet offers 3 seats in the back (larger than the Mini) and they all fold forward including the seat cushions.

I would welcome a little more utility from Mini.

-Pete

 

I just can't imagine driving around in the car in the picture above and having people come up and ask me questions about it, or complimenting me on my "cool car". Utility... ho hum! :smile:


We take our MINI camping with a full load of gear (tents, chairs, ice chest, etc) and have plenty of room to spare for our two dogs!


And we can take the twisties on the way to the campsite!

 

I guess it all depends on why you bought you MINI... I didn't buy either of our MINIs to attract comments from strangers. It's nice when it happens, but it's not a drawing point for me either...

Personally, we're eagerly awaiting the release of the Clubman, not as a replacement to our MINI... But as a potential replacement to our Subaru Outback. By the time the Clubman arrives, we won't need to haul a stroller anymore and can make due with something smaller than the Outback. But we still want something bigger than an MCS...

I just drove the new Audi A3 the other day, if the Clubman is anything like the A3 handling, performance, and price wise... there will be one in our driveway.

 

I am a fan of small sporty cars. Yes, my plane-Jane version of the Innocenti doesn't draw crowds (I didn't dish out 800 Euros for that reason), but it is a very capable small car, that can even hang on the autostrada.
Sure I'd prefer one of the DeTomaso versions (above), but hey my MCS should be her within two more weeks!!!

As far as Mini's utility is concerned, I chose it over the Honda S2000, and (used) Boxster for the back-seat. On occasions I have to do fatherly duties and cart my kids around when the wife has the minivan.

Speaking of minivans, any word on a "MINI-VAN" from Oxford? (JK)