What does this look like?



The R53+R56/2

 

An early test mule? I don't think it's supposed to be anything, although some would probably love a grill option on the R56 MCS.

 

I know - its a bizarre mix of both cars. It is a test mule, but I am interested in what the crew thinks. I mean, here is your R56 with many of the flaws fixed, no? Its your dream R56wannabeR53. Do you like it?

 

can't tell - did we fix the side markers here too?

 

I actually really liked those test mules when the pictures were released. I still do.

 

It looks like an R56 grill section PSPed onto an R53. Looks pretty good. Of course, seeing it in person would be better, if it exists. My main problem with the new car has always been those outward slantiing headlights. The grill is fine.

Zip

 

I think the belt line on these is still the R56 height. It looks like it has the R50/53 headlights, and the grill while one piece like the R56 looks even taller than the R56. And the bumper and front signal lights look to be configured like the R53. I think it looks good, but I prefer both the R50, 53, and 56 to these mules.

 

Could it be that these "test mules" are already wearing the upcoming 2009 mid-cycle facelift?

Often facelifts are designed and planned for, years before they are even supposed to go into effect in production.

I really like them.

 

Oh boy - I'd love to bet you pink slips on that one!

 

I should post that image over to the "improvements" thread. Its relevant to the wish lists over there.

The question C4 is, you like it, but do you like it more than the R50/53?

 

I like it more than the current R56. Do I like it more than the R50/53? No, but it is a darn good improvement that I find fairly palatable.

 

I think it looks more like a compromised R50/53 where as the R56 is doing its own thing. I would be very surprised to see a mid run facelift go in this direction. But you can always hope - no harm in that.

 

at first it looked like a mocked-up prototype. but on subsequent looks they're very well molded and finished. it may be an abandoned proposition from early on or an r50/r53 w/ r56 running gear underneath. i doubt it's a peak for the facelift tho, but i too think it looks better than the r56

 

still torn
but it's growing on me

 

I kinda agree but when I decided to go for the R56 instead of the R53 I made a compromise... being that from the "inside" (driving experience that is) the R56 showed a significant improvement vs. the R53.

And driving experience matters more to me than looks...

 

Definitely a +1 here.

Zip

 

I wouldn't use the word 'compromised.' And the 'own thing' that the R56 does makes that 'compromise' all the more attractive, again, imho.

Zip

 

No. That's 100% R56.

There is a large mask on the nose covering the hood scoop and outer edges of the headlights (like they did with all the test mules when they were out and about)... plus a pair of uppor and lower slatted grilles. It may be a little lower than what were seeing on the poroduction cars, but I think it's just the camera angle in that specific pic. If you find some more test mule pics, you'll see. Search motoring file in the archives and take a look at the cold weather and hot weather test mule pics. Same car.

That's it. No more. No less.

 

I wonder if the test mules were intentionally given different grills than the final R56 just for the sake of spy cameras?

 

Exactly.

 

I would respectfully submit that the R56 side "vent" (they aren't really vents, are they) are the perfect size for the new car. Yes, they are bigger than R50/53s...and I was looking closely at this today. Given the higher belt line, the vents were adjusted almost perfectly in scale to that change. In fact, if one were to place R50/53 repeaters there they would look rediculously small and silly. This is especially so given the removal of the horizontal body seam right above the R50/53 repeater. So...when I stand right next to an R53 Cooper and look at the repeater vent, yes, it looks huge compared to what I am used to seeing. However, when I back away, the proportions are perfect for that particular car. I do prefer the R56 Cooper vents, but the MCS vents...with their black surrounds...are really growing on me, at least enough to ignore the whole issue.

Now, if we are to get picky, I'd further submit that MINIs do not need pseudo-vents of any sort there...R50,53, or 56. It must be a BMW thing, right?

 

gocartride, when it comes to summing up the aesthetic changes of the R56, I consistently agree with you. Lots of things had to be made bigger (like the trim at the wheel arches) to keep things in proper proportion. I think if the arch trim was the same size as it was on the R53 it would look goofy, it needs to be larger ...and the same goes for some of the other changes.

I see the design as very well thought out and given what they were up against (the new UK pedestrian laws) they did a marvelous job of keeping the character of the original design in tact while adhering to prerequisites which were out of their control.

dean.

 

I could not agree more, but this is the normal if unfortunate evolution of cars--particularly BMWs. It was easy to predict that the MINI would become a bigger parody of itself, which some would argue that the MINI is in relation to the Mini anyway. And the fact that they're making a station wagon version of the car just drives the point home.

 

I keep looking at this picture and wondering what is in the passenger seat. The picture on the box looks to be a printer? Seems like somebody took the test mule to Staples.

 

It looks goofy now.

Zip

(The opinions expressed above are those of the writer only, and are in no way meant to be personally offensive to anyone of the human and/or canine races. All complementary and/or contradictory viewpoints are encouraged and will be welcomed, and will be accepted in the spirit in which they were intended, whatever they may be.)