I was just on the MINIUSA site and they had a picture of a MINI in the dark with the Bonnet up...and lights up as well. Funny they would show that when the new design removed that feature...

 

the storage pack is still causing problems @ the plant & is still not avillable

 

I was looking through the MINIUSA brochure and found a few interesting things. This is the "book" with all the options and basically sells the car in a handy take-home size. The theme for this year's was a news broadcast (for the Cooper) and a sports broadcast (for the S).

It does seem like the "real" brochure and not something thrown together for NAIAS.

Colors: No oxygen blue noted anywhere.
Audio and Hypersport package are indicated as available March 2007.

This was interesting: "The storage package includes a storage net in the front passenger footwell, plus a floor net, two separate lateral separating nets and a 12-volt socket standard in the luggage compartment. In addition, there is also a seperate tilt adjustment for both halves of the rear backrest. (Dashboard storage compartment expected 1st Qrt. 2007.)

** In reading this, I wonder if it is standard and won't be included with the initial shipments, or if they got everything in? I don't think this is an additional cost package, but it's interesting that it was its own seperate item, listed with the 'light package" (the interior ambient lighting) and the "standard smokers package". Can they retrofit the package, or will they be increasing the cost of the car once it is part of the standard equipment?

Sirius and HD are not reported as being available in March 07. There is no indication they are delayed. I'm still curious as to what's taking so long with the audio package.

That was it. Just a few interesting things.

 

Being a surfer, that rear shot of the hot yellow one got my attention...I can strap half of my quiver up on that rack!
That's good, cause the CAMs in Jersey suck as far as trying to figure out what spot is good on any day, so ya never know whether to take a 6-2 fish, or the longboard!...

 

One thing I remember early on in something posting on Motoringfile I think was that all US cars were coming with CD changer preparation. Since that compartment is where it goes putting the $5 of parts in during production makes since. To do it later would require each dealer to match your trim, order the parts and charge you at least a $100 more. That said I'm not sure why anyone would get a changer since we have an MP3 head unit and iPods are less.

 

went to detroit too, have pics, but nothing really not already shown, but after seeing the new mini...well let me say i am just blown away by the storage pocket. i mean i know its such a nothing thing, but that alone kind of makes me want to ditch my r53 for an r56, i just like how no one would ever expect that to be a storage pocket.

also what was pretty sweet (as a no sunroof owner i dont know if first gen MINI's did this) but the rear sunroof tilts too. again maybe this isnt new but i dont remember the r50/53 mini's having that feature

 

In no particular order.......

Likes:

1) Storage pocket
2) Turbo (aftermarket blow off valves, anyone?)
3) Toggle switches for the lights near the rear view mirror
4) Different interior color schemes
5) U-brace in the engine compartment
6) Straight through exhaust
7) Clearer LCD display in the speedo
8) More supportive stock seats

Dislikes:

1) Fake hood scoop that creates drag!
2) Side marker grills - puh-lease!
3) Fatter butt
4) Cheap interior *****, and I mean cheap!
5) No more downtubes.
6) No more supercharger whine!
7) No more cowl vents!

 

The display has a higher dot-matrix resolution than before:

See THIS and THIS

VERSUS

THIS

 

Please forgive if this is a duplicate. On the run!

Video clip here: http://car-news.roadfly.com/2007/01/...er-s-at-naias/

 

what is the thing laying across the left strut tower in the second image?

 

That's just a ground cable. You know how they lock the electronics/functions of the cars during a show? There's a white box that connects to the battery and they just used the strut tower bolt as the ground.