With only one year away from a debut, we knew that we’d be seeing the real F56 test mules around Munich soon. And today they arrived. Auto Express has the first photos that give us the best look yet at the 3rd generation MINI. While this isn’t camouflage free, the car is now at the stage with the real exterior and interior are simply being covered up. This is much different than than the heavily disguised prototypes we had seen earlier. That means we can actually start to get a feel of the overall shape and some details. With that said, here’s what the photos tell us. Five lug wheels Slighty more front overhang Tail-lamps mounted flush with the hatch? No visible creases under the camouflage as rumored Oddly side mirrors likely hiding side repeaters Plastic wheel arches already confirmed are definitely here Likely there’s more. Source - MotoringFile
Not liking the funky mirror shroud. Hope that doesn't make it into production. Hope the tail lights are just to throw us off, as they don't flow with the shape of the vehicle. Bonnet's getting too long. The whole car needs to be reduced in size. They are going the wrong way. It's supposed to be MINI....:frown2:
But there actually is a crease over the front wheel arches. You can see it in the photos where the sun shines on it.
Given the lack of decerning features on the front and the off-set exhaust I'd say this is the "Justa" version of the F56. I think the camo is doing a good job throwing off your eye. The proportions aren't dissimilar to the R53 or R56. Same goes for size. I could be mistaken but the rims looks to be 16" dia given the amount of rubber and exposed driver as a general size reference. If that is so it really isn't longer or bigger by any significant amount.
:cornut: Yeah! That's what I want, a MINI with Panty Waist Hair Dresser Interior Decorator yellow/black Camouflage.:devil::ihih::arf::drool Jason
One good thing is::: It still looks like a Mini. At least they did not screw up the Mini look of the car. It is hard to tell what the final outcome will be but at least it still is the great body design we all came to like.ostcount
It might just be the camouflage, but it looks like the boot lid has weird cutouts around the tail lights.
MINI/BMW purposely adds fakeness to all their camouflaged test vehicles to generate confusion and speculation. I'm confident they know what they are doing from a design standpoint.... Word has it the MINI pictured has a R56 bonnet grafted over the real nose, so I'm not too worried about the funky overhang...... I just hope they make all the "Prince" issues go away.
I sure hope that the overall length of the bonnet is due to the camoflage. That is a SERIOUSLY long bonnet and a front overhang that belongs on a Chrysler product from the mid-80s. I'm interested in the area where the rear side glass meets the boot glass. It looks like the bean counters got ahold of the design and took out the old curved glass back there and replaced it with some triangular plastic bits. The front windshield looks like it has much more rake to it than before... closer to the coupe windshield than to the R56 hard-top windshield. Right now, I'm not a big fan, but I'm sure that it's too disguised for me to form a rational opinion right now. I'm biased anyway... anything that changes it from an R53 is a move in the wrong direction!
Is there any concrete info on F5x platform dash / instrument cluster design? I know there's been tons of speculation it'll have more a of 'conventional' dash and instrument read-out compared to the previous two generations. - Erik
The tail lights shown are phoney.. the real one's are underneath the wrap. Mirrors I think are a throw off as well. The roof seems to have more of a pronounced slope. Can't believe they still have the old style antenna.. LOL The front looks more elongated and it's profile reminds me a lot of the Mazda. This prob makes the MINI a bit more slippery aerodynamics wise.. but def not as ascetically pleasing. The wrap is either covering a hood scoop, and if so it is much wider then the current variety.. or its going to have a pronounced "bump" like the current countryman has now. Over all though as enticing as these photos are... to early to call... LOL
The only thing I like about this model is --- NOTHING :frown2: You're right saying BMW is going in the wrong direction :idea:
Again it might be the camo but it looks like to me the windscreen is leaned back a bit more as well as the boot windscreen I leaning a bit more forward,I dig aero dynamics but to me it just seems to take away from that classic look,also the reason Volks Wagon on the new beetles brought its windscreen back up again..