MINI/BMW is very good at disguising their prototypes. The R56 was an ugly mule too when were first seeing it in mule form. It turned out well once the production version came out. I'm hoping for the same thing with the R?? 2013 MINI. :fingerscrossed: A more dapper Mule....
I'll bet the front and rear lights are all part of the disguise. If they can get a huge amount of negative buzz going from spy shots, then there is a bigger swing to the positive side when it's finally introduced. Hahaha.... Of course there is always an exception, look at what Chris Bangle did. The goofy mule spy shots were better than the 7 series production BMW.
There are more than a few that didn't like the direction Bangle took.... Some of his designs definately were better than others. Agree that judgements shouldn't be made on heavily camouflaged test mules.