Spied - 2013 MINI Cooper

[TigerinColorado]

Interesting...

[Aonarch]

[someguy123]

Fiat-500-what?


MINI prmoved the speedometer back to the drivers side and center vents and will offer 3-cylinder "TwinPower" turbocharged engines and diesels.


If they bring a diesel here.....OMG DO WANT!!!!

[hardingsan]

For example the roof of the car is fake and is using the roof from the current car. The clue is and I can see it on the photographs of the scooped prototype is the A-Pillar you can see the space in between the roof and pillar. The roof also carries on the new MINI motiff such as on the Coupe and Countryman with the step just at the C-pillar. The exposed metal and glass is disguised by the camouflage. The C-Pillar hides something else that it wraps around the rear of the car more snugly with a larger hatch opening. The outlines on the bootlid are false.
At the front of the car the hood covering is actually a molded piece of vacuumed plastic which covers up the more raked back front end , The bumper is also fake covering up the lower part of the MINI signature grille. which becomes larger for a more signature identity.

For the first time in a MINI and to give the impression of it being "all grown up" there is now creases on the body.
Although the rendering is not exact to the forthcoming car. It shows some ideas that are evident on the scoop photographs.

AutoExpress (Autobild UK?) have produced a rendering of the new car whilst I would agree with the front of the car with it's more prominent nose and the inclusion of a nose cone taking away the typical MINI Clamshell bonnet in favor of a more compact clamshell hoodline. The front lights are almost exact to the placement and shape of the car - They are further melted in the front wings for a more raked back , sportier appearance and helps identify the car's MINI-ness. MINI also gets creases for the first time which can be seen on scoop photographs especially around the a-pillar , front wing side repeater.

This rear however was one such possibility by reversing the MINI typical shape and lay it across the bootlid surrounded by a MINI badge like the Paceman. This decision has been reversed in favor of a more typical MINI appearance. The hatch for example is now wider and wraps around the C-Pillar .

http://www.germancarforum.com/cooper...tml#post521608

[AchtungE30]

Does anyone else see a seam near the b-pillar in the camo shots? Looks as if the Cooper is getting the clubman 3rd door treatment. God I hope not!

[MonkeyBusiness]

looks like it has RX-8 style rear doors

looks like that to me

[FastGTi]

looks like there will be a hood scoop afterall. is the second gen MCS scoop actually functional or do they have a FMIC on the turbo?

It's not functional for the intercooler since it doesn't sit on top of the motor, but it has been shown to reduce under hood temps FWIW.

[GTI_CH]

It's not functional for the intercooler since it doesn't sit on top of the motor, but it has been shown to reduce under hood temps FWIW.

But isn't it blocked off? I'm pretty sure my 2010 is that way.

[hardingsan]

But isn't it blocked off? I'm pretty sure my 2010 is that way.

i'd say it's 60% open and 40% closed. at least it was on my 08 before i bought a dremel...

[FastGTi]

But isn't it blocked off? I'm pretty sure my 2010 is that way.

it's not fully open...at least on my JCW some of the holes are opened up. I hear if you open them up even more you can prevent the scoop from warping!

[uniseriate]

Will this



be the successor to the infamous

[TigerinColorado]

Am digging the renderings more!

[omoderncultureo]

MINI is working on a whole new range of models, each based off a brand new front-wheel drive platform being developed together with parent company BMW, which will use it for its own range of entry-level hatchbacks due in the coming years. We’ve reported several times before on the new front-wheel drive BMWs but these latest images reveal some new details on the new MINI. Most obvious is the image that captures the upcoming MINI next to the current-generation car, which highlights the differences (and the similarities) in their design. A closer look at the interior through the window also gives an idea of what to expect inside.

The previous spy shots (below) were the first spy shots of a prototype for the third-generation of the modern MINI, which is expected to be revealed for the first time in regular Cooper trim late next year before going on sale in the following year as a 2013 model.

The images reveal a more aggressive look for 2013 MINI Cooper, with a more sharply steeped A-pillar than the current model and a slightly wider front. The front grille also appears to be slightly wider and looks to be sitting lower as well.

The biggest change, however, is the interior, which looks to be getting a fairly conventional dashboard design rather than the current model’s single driver’s gauge and large centrally mounted unit (image three in above gallery). On the prototype we can clearly see a dual gauge instrument panel located behind the steering wheel and air conditioner vents in the center of the dash.

Another big change will be coming in the form of a new three-cylinder engine family for the 2013 MINI Cooper. This family of modular gasoline and diesel engines will eventually go into some 1.5 million BMW and MINI models annually and will feature BMW’s latest ‘TwinPower Turbo’ technology.

TwinPower Turbo technology features a twin-scroll turbocharging system, direct fuel injection and solenoid injectors, the latter being the latest innovation for BMW’s VALVETRONIC variable valve control system. The resulting effect is a small engine--and small engine fuel economy--but with big engine performance.

Stay tuned for more information on the 2013 MINI Cooper as development progresses.

Link

[MAGICGTI]

There is no way it won't have a center-mounted speedo, maybe that's the BMW interior but it won't be in a MINI.

[kDawgg]

I'm with the folks that think this is not the actual interior of the Mini.

And for those of you who like a traditional interior, 99% of other cars will suit your boring needs. The Camrys got a pretty traditional interior. Go buy one. Why would you want to take the uniqueness and cool quirkiness of the Mini away?

[Turbio!]

My thinking is that this is the interior of the BMW 1-series FWD models.

[Turbio!]

I'm with the folks that think this is not the actual interior of the Mini.

And for those of you who like a traditional interior, 99% of other cars will suit your boring needs. The Camrys got a pretty traditional interior. Go buy one. Why would you want to take the uniqueness and cool quirkiness of the Mini away?

There's cool and quirky and then there's bad ergonomics, poor presentation of vital driver information, strange control layouts, switches in odd places, and other function-follows-form failures that don't have any place in a driver's car. They could have kept some traditional Mini cues while keeping vital information and controls a little better laid out.

[czykvw]

Im not a mini fan, but this actually looks pretty darn good.
Especially the extra doors! I honestly wonder why others dont do quad coupes.
So glad they didnt kill it with 3 doors like the veloster & clubman.

[kDawgg]

There's cool and quirky and then there's bad ergonomics, poor presentation of vital driver information, strange control layouts, switches in odd places, and other function-follows-form failures that don't have any place in a driver's car. They could have kept some traditional Mini cues while keeping vital information and controls a little better laid out.

It takes about a few days to get used to all the controls and the layout. Then it becomes second nature to you. Trust me I had a Mini for 2 years. Most of the controls are similar to other BMW models. Yes you have to adjust to some toggle switches, big whoop. The interior was very easy to use to me and people would ALWAYS comment on the cool unique interior (and interiors are not something regular non-car people normally comment about)

And what do you mean by "poor presentation of vital driver information"? Everything is right there. If you mean the speed, there is a digital speedo displayed within the tach. I always had mine set and never had an issue with not knowing my speed.

[omoderncultureo]

The launch of the next generation MINI Cooper has been reportedly been pushed back, but according to reports, it will be well worth the wait. Sharing a platform with the next-generation 1 Series, the BMW will arrive first with the MINI (code named F56) being revealed in late 2013.

While similar, insiders say the two will be very different and without knowing you’d never guess they shared the same underpinnings. The MINI’s new design has been described as “modern”, and the most dramatic evolution yet, while still being true to the brand identity. It will reportedly gain a more aggressive look, a direction MINI has been heading in since the launch of the Coupe.

Powering the new cars will be a brand-new 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, with roughly 120 hp in the base Cooper and 180 hp in the Cooper S. That tiny yet powerful engine will show huge gains in fuel economy with as much as 40 mpg highway for the Cooper S and 45 mpg highway for the base Cooper.

With that engine seemingly tapped-out for power, the new platform will reportedly have room for a larger 4-cylinder engine as well – likely for John Cooper Works models. In addition, a 2-cylinder could be offered, for sale in Europe and emerging markets.

Once launched, look for a new Clubman and Convertible to arrive shortly after, with the secong-gen Countryman still a few years after that.

Link

[Moodyblues]

Any word on whether the 1 series hatch will ever make it to the US?

[Chris_V]

There's cool and quirky and then there's bad ergonomics, poor presentation of vital driver information, strange control layouts, switches in odd places, and other function-follows-form failures that don't have any place in a driver's car. They could have kept some traditional Mini cues while keeping vital information and controls a little better laid out.

Except that none of that is in actuality of you own/drive the car more than a few minutes. I *like* the interior of my MINI. It's laid out fine, everything is at hand, and it's easy to use. In fact, after using it for a bit, it all sort of makes perfect sense.

Most of the complainers are just morons with nothing better to do. Serious.

[horsty69]

Agreed, the MINI interior just looks different it does not function diffrently, everything is at hand and where it should be, most of the items are the same as all other cars...it boggles me why people think it is so diffrent in function because it is not.

[Air and water do mix]

Hmmmm. I like the rendering, but according to the copy it doesn't look aggressive enough. 3 cylinders are good with me, but I wonder who'll be complaining about them, whether they work well or not...

[ninja_gaiden]

There's cool and quirky and then there's bad ergonomics, poor presentation of vital driver information, strange control layouts, switches in odd places, and other function-follows-form failures that don't have any place in a driver's car. They could have kept some traditional Mini cues while keeping vital information and controls a little better laid out.

Im guessing you have either never driven or owned or even sat in a mini before.

Granted the layout is funky and looks like a 5yo designed it, any 5yo can easily get any vital data or reach any switch VERY easily and comfortably.

I dont know why people make such a big deal out of the center dash speedo, as if thats the only place the mini shows speed. It also shows it in the Tach along with other data like MPG.

[MontoyaF1]

Im guessing you have either never driven or owned or even sat in a mini before.

Granted the layout is funky and looks like a 5yo designed it, any 5yo can easily get any vital data or reach any switch VERY easily and comfortably.

I dont know why people make such a big deal out of the center dash speedo, as if thats the only place the mini shows speed. It also shows it in the Tach along with other data like MPG.

I test drove the 1st generation Mini back in 2006 and I agree with the others that the ergonomics are terrible. The toggle switches are not intuitive, so I was often taking my eyes off the road to figure out what each switch was for. Sure, once you've lived with the car you will memorize what each switch does, but it is annoying to have to do that.

[ThreadBomber]

Long Mini is loooonngg

I also agree there will definately be the pizza sized speedometer in the next one.

[Turbio!]

Im guessing you have either never driven or owned or even sat in a mini before.

Besides my three extended test drives? Believe it or not, grownups can disagree on something they both have experience with. How intuitive and well laid out an interior is, and how well it presents information, is not nuclear physics. It's subjective, and my subjective is allowed to differ from yours, which is naturally going to favor the Mini anyway.

[alfafan]

My question is: Is it still growing in size? And then, how big is too big for a Mini?
The current interior may be a bit over the top as well but they can't go straight to dullsville either.
Engine wise , I love where they are heading.

Please BMW, leave one Mini, mini and do what you will with the rest.

[SimplyBao]

I'll be sad if MINI goes away from the quirky and weird looking interior. I'll admit, it is an ergonomic nightmare and it does take some time to get used to. But having lived with mine for 6 months now, I don't have any problems with it.

I think it's part of MINI to be a little funky. At first I didn't like it, but now I think it's part of it's character.

[Chris_V]

I test drove the 1st generation Mini back in 2006 and I agree with the others that the ergonomics are terrible. The toggle switches are not intuitive, so I was often taking my eyes off the road to figure out what each switch was for. Sure, once you've lived with the car you will memorize what each switch does, but it is annoying to have to do that.

Everything is where it is on a lot of other cars. The ONLY thing that is in a funky position on mine is the window switches, which are about where they are on the 3 series BMW (center console). I'm used to that due to having driven many 3 series BMWs. My PT also had them in the center stack. And the Range Rovers had the switches on the center console by the armrest, but they were upside down (which made since once you used them, but were non-intuitive when you first looked at them).

On the MINI, the stalk mounte controls are normal (headlights and wipers) the radio is in the normal place and functions like normal, the HVAC is below that and it all wiorks liiek a normal car. The heated seat and window switches are below that, but as said, about where they are in a 3 series BMW. The sunroof and dome light switches are where they normally are above the rearview mirror. Seriosuly, NOTHING IS IN A WEIRD PLACE other than the central speedometer! Just because they are toggle switches instead of rockers for a few of the controls isn't enough to say it's got crappy ergonomics. And frankly I'm starting to think that the people that think it IS crappy ergonomics are no more than functional retards. If it takes you more than a second and a half when you get in the car to figure it out, you're a moron.

[dirtyfingers]

Whatever happens I hope they keep those donut hole wheels on the base car. Those are some of my favorite alloys of all time (up there with Saab's 3 spokes on the SPG)

[Chris_V]

Besides my three extended test drives? Believe it or not, grownups can disagree on something they both have experience with. How intuitive and well laid out an interior is, and how well it presents information, is not nuclear physics. It's subjective, and my subjective is allowed to differ from yours, which is naturally going to favor the Mini anyway.

And if the logic used to form your opinon is flawed, then we're going to tell you that. If the logic used is retarded, then we're going to tell you thatk too. Sorry.

Your subjective logic is flawed. And I've pointed out why. There is nothing factually ergonomically a mess with the MINI's interior. Everything is where it should be, other than the arguable logic of the placement of the top half of one circle., which you don't like. And even that is not an ergonomic flaw, and it presents its data just fine.

[Turbio!]

And if the logic used to form your opinon is flawed, then we're going to tell you that. If the logic used is retarded, then we're going to tell you thatk too. Sorry.

Your subjective logic is flawed. And I've pointed out why. There is nothing factually ergonomically a mess with the MINI's interior. Everything is where it should be, other than the arguable logic of the placement of the top half of one circle., which you don't like. And even that is not an ergonomic flaw, and it presents its data just fine.

What if no logic at all went into that opinion? I sat in the Countryman. I didn't like how the controls were laid out, I didn't like how the armrest worked, I thought the central rail was fussy and likely to become dirty and hard to clean, and I thought the design was cartoonish and fussy. I don't feel that everything in the Countryman is where it should be, for my personal preference as to how cars should be laid out. It put me off. Could I have, if I felt like it, gotten used to it? Sure, maybe. Is there anything factually, objectively wrong in there? No. Just plenty of things I found, for entirely subjective reasons and not as the result of a long and scientific process of Holmesian deduction, irritating or superfluous. Why are you looking for logic in a statement of aesthetic preference? (besides the obvious, which is that said preference irritates you for your own subjective reasons.)

Now, want some examples? I don't like the fact that the window controls are on the center stack, in a line with other switches that look identical but serve other functions. I don't like how the phone charger cable gets mashed by the poorly designed e-brake. I don't like how the sport button is crammed in almost out of sight. I dislike the fact that several bits of vital information get crammed into the postage stamp sized display below the tach. Little stuff, but it all adds up to a human machine interface that made me do what it wanted, not the other way around. And I hate that. Sorry.

What's flawed, even possibly retarded, is insisting that there is somehow a logical basis to aesthetic preference. Some hate iPhones. I hate Android. Some prefer blondes to brunettes. Some like wide and low, some prefer long and graceful. Don't get in my goddamned face because I don't like what you do. It's childish.

[ThreadBomber]

Now, want some examples? I don't like the fact that the window controls are on the center stack, in a line with other switches that look identical but serve other functions. I don't like how the phone charger cable gets mashed by the poorly designed e-brake. I don't like how the sport button is crammed in almost out of sight. I dislike the fact that several bits of vital information get crammed into the postage stamp sized display below the tach. Little stuff, but it all adds up to a human machine interface that made me do what it wanted, not the other way around. And I hate that. Sorry.
.

Agree 100%, the window switches are horrible and the small text display in the tach looks like ten year old GM