Some appear to be chops, but they are closing in on the look:

 

Anyone notice that in the last picture the tack and the speedo are body/dash color?

 

I'm diggin the clubman!


and they are adding black trim paint options to the regular grill and liftgate!

 

more bullfrog than bulldog, but I kind of like it . . .

echo that diggin' the clubman.

also - why the return to the old school 2-spoke steering wheel? just photochop tests I suppose . . .

 

also - the current MINI one (not available in the usa) comes with a black grill, continuing the theme maybe . . .

 

Interesting, the clubman isn't a 4 door!

 

I'll continue to hold my judgement until I actually get to see/drive a real one, but so far, the images look much nicer than the previous spy shots with the enormous front end.

 

Looks a little longer at the back and the striking, visually interesting curves are taken out of the bonnet but still identifiable as a MINI. I not particularly enamored of the pizza delivery van look of the clubman. We'll see what it really ends up looking like as the release date approaches

 

I wish they still had the 2 spoke wheel and the original style MFSW. I hope they bring it back. If I could I would take the 2-spoke MFSW out of my '02 and put it into my new '05.

 

I like the overall look...no problem here...but I still can't figure out how the new bonnet will work. These renderings still look like very "clamshell" to me. I like the rear bumper trim on that One. An improvement, imo. Front fogs in that first pic are nice, too.

 

The wheel maybe retrofittable. PM Jollynut, she's had it done although I don't recall if she has a late 04 or an 05...

 

I'm pretty sure the designers working on this project are the same ones who did the new 5 series.

I see similarities in the inside, and also, the outside is looking a bit girlish.

 

yeah, like that back bumper.

as far as the bonnet goes, it looks like the headlamps might not be part of the clamshell - there seems to be a bit of a black line inside the chrome surround.

overall the car looks a bit more agressive, yet obviously has been redesigned to meet the new european safety standards. that new dash looks like it will be really sharp, a bit less retro than the current one.

me likey!

 

Getting better each time. But I wonder when auto designers will admit that most cars are required to sport a front number plate. All cars look as though their designers were told at the last minute about that legal contrivance. They don't fit the current MINI and do not appear to fit the next generation either. Note how even the slim Euro plate overhangs the lower orifice and imagine what a deeper USA plate will look like (as well as getting dinged and dented).

 

I don't like it. I'm glad I'm getting a new 05. :smile:

Whats with the use of the older steering wheel?

 

I agree the next generation MINI looking better as time goes on. I have high hopes for the car. Mike, I thought the clubman shown on the first page did have four doors, one on each side and two for the boot. My pups will have a door each.

I bet you met six doors, one for each airbag.

Edit, And yes I like the dash coloured tac and speedo.

John

 

I am kinda disapointed in the cars I think that they could have been better.

I dont like the side grills on the car as much as the old one's.

Is it just me or does the front tire on the farside of the car look bigger than it should be.

 

So far I'm not convinced. I'll reserve judgement until I see and drive one.

I especially don't like even a hint of the "Bangle's folded planes" I see invading the interior, however slight.

Also the longer hood takes something away from the unique character of the current car.

Thanks for posting the pics :smile:

 

I'm hoping the new look is as close to the present one as possible, and these are right in line with that. I like the Unspoken Honda Styling Plan - gradual change over a very looooong period. The Traveller or Countryman wagon is just right - barn doors in the back!! Say, they could call it the Motorer. ;-) I hope MINI never makes a new Clubman - it was the restyled flat-front version that wasn't very Mini-looking, and died a merciful death before permanently polluting the marque.

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

 

well it wouldn't be a MINI if the clubman was four doors.. it would be too long.. they do look ALOT better than the previous spy pics were.

 

If those pictures are close to the real thing, it looks like they kept a lot of current parts (would make sense cost wise): like the doors, the pillars, the windshield, the mirrors, the boot and even the lower side plastic trim all look like the current generations.

 

The exteriors are not that much different. That's in keeping with the current design. I'd like a wider stance and a bit lowered roofline with aero front and a coeficient of drag below 0.30. Is that asking too much????

The interior looks out of proportion on the dash. Why can't it be classy.
Hey, why not make the headliner blue to match the dash.

 

I REALLY like the interior. Very clean, albeit a little spaceshippy and reminding me of the Z4, where you aren't entirely sure what the little knobbies do...

Have they lengthened the bonnet or is that just weird perspective -- and if they did, WHY????

 

I think I see a slight hint of bonnet bulge left.

The bonnet stripes look horrible now to me. Same questions on the bonnet length. Anyone?

 

Guys, you have to remember that these are HIGHLY photoshopped pictures. There could still be BIG differences to the final product.

I'm also glad i just bought an 05'.

Though it would be interesting to see what the Aero kit would look like.