[Paul]

Other than that though...

[envy]

Hmm wonder if any areas of the 'new' mini can fit the current mini.

E.g. Side Skirts, Bumpers, Grille and maybe even changing current mini interior parts for the 'new' mini parts?

Hope so anyway!

[Paul]

I've had it on good authority that a lot COULD be swapped, but not much without considerable effort and "adjustments". Like the entire dash for example!

[JBOO]

Looks like one muffler can underneath. Are the orange lights in the headlights on the current generation? Overall, look better than I expected. Wish I knew what to think about the new engine.

[DeadCanDanceR]

Quote: Originally Posted by emu_p

Daft question but I will ask it anyway - why do these spy shots always have tape around the front and rear lights???

That's just a very simple way to camouflage a car that looks so similar to the current model.





I'm glad to see that BMW is being this subtle changing the MINI. In doing so they're recognizing and ensuring the success of the MINI's image!

[minigolf]

I think the tape is to hide the design details of the car.

Interesting that behind the exhaust tips you can see the muffler. I'm guessing this has been mentioned elsewhere anyway, but I guess the battery has been moved as well.

I quite like the look of the new car, although the rear bumper and the tiny bit of grille edging that drops in to the front bumper look a bit naff to me at this stage.

Would be good if the JCW cars have a different kit, seeing as all the promo pics for the current JCW have the Aero Kit fitted giving the implication that the body kit is part of the upgrade.

[Baker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

I like some of the wacky designs other manufacturers use to cover up details and lines, with crazy patterns all over them.

We do this at work with our "Mules" - if you've got black and white checkers and lines etc all over the cars, it can make it very hard for a camera to autofocus on when its going fast - it does not know to look at the black or the white.

I'd be happy if they moved the battery to either a left or right cubby hole in the boot (depending on if it is a LHD/RHD car), as this would give a good weight distrobution against the driver.

From what I've heard the JCW will actually be another product in the range - i.e. you'll have a Cooper, a Cooper S, and a JCW, not just a MCS with a JCW kit.

Interesting useless info - the "race tape" hiding details on the car is actually being painted in the paintshop at Oxford to help further camoflage the car .

[MickyD]

Quote: Originally Posted by Baker

if you've got black and white checkers and lines etc all over the cars, it can make it very hard for a camera to autofocus on when its going fast - it does not know to look at the black or the white..

wrong, it would actually make it a lot easier to focus on, since the AF in a camera works on contrast.
Try focusing a camera on a blank piece of paper, and then try the same on a piece of paper with lines all over it.

[Baker]

Hmm, thats opposite to what the powers at be at the Holden Proving ground say... maybe thats why so many spy pics come out .

On saying that I obviously trust you MUCH more with photography than them

[Todd!]

I would say the real reason why they put the stuff is to draw attention to them without giving away all the final important details...

Ie - what do we want to know about the car right now? How the side vents look, the new headlight treatment and the back end... Badges, etc are normally covered up as well. It is all about generating hype. Without hype, the wont be seen in magazines as "PROTOTYPE undergoes final test at The 'ring!"

A model release must not be too far away surely!?!

BTW - Dan, I forgot The 'ring sticker from you last week.

Todd

[minigolf]

It's kind of exciting when you spot a camoflauged car out in public though. We saw three when we were at the Nüburgring. I only got pics of two though.

[~Marcus~]

Wheelarches look massive - I'm going to need at least 18 inch wheels to fill them

[I love MINI, Laura]

I really like it actually! Its looking quite finished now. I think the think thats throwing me on the front end is that the chrome rings around the lights have been camoflaged and it doesn't look finished without them. Really like the back bumper. I think I will have one soon if I like the engine that is. If not Checkmate 2006 here I come!

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by minigolf

It's kind of exciting when you spot a camoflauged car out in public though. We saw three when we were at the Nüburgring. I only got pics of two though.

We see them a lot, usually Nissans (not interested) or Aston Martins (hubba hubba).

[memphisto]

Thumbs down.

Not a fan of all the visible seams around the wheel arches and the front lights. Don't like the lump on the 'C' post either, or the chrome strip being fitted along the back of the bonnet..strange.

Maybe the finished article will look better!?

[Hugo]

Don't like the bumpers or the new front. Front makes the Mini look fat and ugly especially the grill

[Tonyt3]

Quote: Originally Posted by memphisto

Thumbs down.

Not a fan of all the visible seams around the wheel arches and the front lights. Don't like the lump on the 'C' post either, or the chrome strip being fitted along the back of the bonnet..strange.

Maybe the finished article will look better!?

I have to agree, these seem to stand out badly. The fromnt wheel arch is now not attached to the bonnet, so its all one piece - which means theres a rather bad gap between bonnet and wheel arch on the front. Same with the lights - not part of the bonnet, so theres a gap too......

bad decsions probably driven by cost saving I would say...

Chrome over bonnet is too much too.

overall a fresh looking facelift, but these items do stick out as badly thought out when compared to the current car....

[minigolf]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3

I have to agree, these seem to stand out badly. The fromnt wheel arch is now not attached to the bonnet, so its all one piece - which means theres a rather bad gap between bonnet and wheel arch on the front. Same with the lights - not part of the bonnet, so theres a gap too......

bad decsions probably driven by cost saving I would say...

Chrome over bonnet is too much too.

overall a fresh looking facelift, but these items do stick out as badly thought out when compared to the current car....

The way the current arch/moulding attaches to the bonnet is far from ideal IMO, so at least in changing this they are, theoretically, making an improvement in fit and finish. I guess the proof will be in the pudding rather than these spy shots.



ps. With any luck the new wheel arches won't look dimpled in the wrong light like the current ones either.

[JDinho]

How much of the bodywork would people estimate to be set as final car, guaranteed to be on the production cars? Could areas like the wheel arches etc be easily fabricated for use on the testing cars? From the spy shots has anyone been able to closely monitor and changes to the bumpers etc to see if they are slowly morphing each time?

My immediate concerns are at the rear, the exposed back box and suspension arms don't look good. I'm hoping that on the final model this is rectified. The front is different but again i'm hopefull that this will be resolved before its unveiling.

I have my sights set on ordering a 50th Anniversary Works model

[Tonyt3]

As i understand it the car is finished and ready to be unveiled, which will be soon.

So if you really dont like anything, well, i think your stuck with it.

The only thing we dont seem to have picked up on yet is differences between the Cooper and the Cooper S. There are sure to be bumper/skirt differences, and I'm pretty sure they will be doing some more agressive 'Aero kit' styling...