[Prowse]

Hmmm, this looks like another build-cost cutting exercise to me, to go along with the cheaper engines, plastic roof...

...oh, and that centre console looks like something out of Flash Gordon, if I'd wave wanted an interior like that, I'd buy a Ford KA!

[Paul]

Hows a BMW PSA engine built in the UK cheaper than a Brazillian made BMW/Chrysler engine?

Plastic roofs? Don't believe all (most) of what you read in the press.

Did you all see the interior shots of the new MINI we have now during testing and development? Things can and will still change.

[ary]

http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24/N...680917,00.html

Dig the new interior

[Paul]

Merged your thread with a current one on the subject/article.

[Ady]

Deffo not a fan of the interiorm if that was in the current car something else would have been sitting on my drive instead of a MINI

Ady

[simeds]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ady

Deffo not a fan of the interiorm if that was in the current car something else would have been sitting on my drive instead of a MINI

Ady

i'm not going to start saving my pennies yet either....

[ben__allen]

I think, without the mingin wood, and with proper quality plastics it will look pretty good, especially if the instrument binnacle was to be filled with Aston-esque type intruments, really modern would look the dogs!

[jason2025]

The larger speedo is growing on me, though I still don't like it much. However the new CD player and climate controls are downright ugly and look like a toy. I hope this is addressed before production.

J\

[mtdave2]

ugh, they ruined it! i hope they dont go with that look. the center speedo gauge looks like ass. the out side isnt great either. the rounding of the nose is a mistake. they have gone more to a modern spaceship looking deal, instead of a modern classic.

i do like the barn-door thing, that rocks. other than that i dont see anything that would make me wait..

i was pondering if i should buy now or later. looks like i will be ordering a 06!

[abbydog3]

Not a fan of the inside. The current model is just starting to feel comfortable, why mess this early with a good thing?

Cheers.

[*Vikki*]

dont like it yuk! looks too much plastic and cheap looking! ill stick with my one forever think!

[Blackship]

It's not so bad...at least it appears as if you can actually use the cup-holders

[s1500]

That LCD-integrated speedometer is simply not of this Earth. It looks quite strange, actually.

I don't like the new toggle switch panel. I prefer the original TARDIS-like toggle switches, logically laid out. Moving the DSC switches, etc to near the gearshift boot IMO is a bad idea.

Also, the silver-colored sections below the speedo just don't look right. There's no consistency, unlike the current speedo-radio deck-climate control-toggle switch layout.

At least the steering wheel looks better, but not much else I can say for the rest of it.

[mooneymini]

the new style is adding more of an american look to it, and its meant to be a british car, not liking it.

[Prowse]

Quote: Originally Posted by abbydog3

...The current model is just starting to feel comfortable, why mess this early with a good thing?

Why mess with a good thing? Simple, because BMW wants to cut production costs in the MINI range. When BMW started producing the original designs of the MINI, I have it on good authority that it costed BMW almost as much to produce a MINI as a 3-series. Obviously the 3-series sells at a much higher price and hence their profits were squeezed on the MINI line. At some point the accountants see this and decide to get involved, hence the current range of modifications to (more than likely) cut production costs.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

From recently reading the development story of the Rover 75 it was interesting to see the difference in cultures between Rover and BMW in the late '90's. It seems that the obsession with cost cutting is more of a British, rather than a German, one!

The thing that I would hate to see would be no change, with the MINI frozen in time without any serious development or investment until it is no longer competitive.

A bit like British Leyland's relationship with the original Mini then...

Tigger.

[Prowse]

I agree, I think the trick here is subtle evolution rather than revolution on the development front. Though many might say that the new interior mock-up is more revulsion!

[StevePSB]

Quote: Originally Posted by abbydog3

Not a fan of the inside. The current model is just starting to feel comfortable, why mess this early with a good thing?

Cheers.

I'd hardly call 6 years (as it will be on new model launch in '07) 'early'. No car lasts more than 6 or 7 years these days before being changed for a completely new model.

It's inevitable, whether we like it or not. Personally, I like the look of the new interior.

[mendel williams]

Do Not Like Interior Particulary The New Toggle Switches

What No Clam Shell Bonnet This Will Be A Serious Style Loss, Do Not Think I Will Be Rushing Out To Buy A 2007 Mini ??????????????????????

[StevePSB]

I'd wait until I had seen it finished and in the flesh before jumping to any conclusions... Everything is just conjecture at this point.