The pictures karmuze posted are amazing! I want to believe these cars are headed for the USA, but aren't the rear license plate cutouts too wide? North American plates are half that size, aren't they?

MINI will use the same rear hatch lid for all markets - simplifies manufacturing, minimises cost.

Originally posted by rj
MINI will use the same rear hatch lid for all markets - simplifies manufacturing, minimises cost.

Even US manufacturers do that for vehicles that will be sold in export markets with wider license plates (e.g. Jeep Cherokee, Ford Explorer, Dodge Caravan, Ford Windstar, etc.) This is especially true when the license plate mounts on stamped sheet metal - lots tooling costs mean just one type produced.

Thanks to a boardmember (Blue Max) from the M5 messageboard for shooting these pics during a recent group event. There is evidence that the Coopers have arrived to our shores! :D

Pic location: the VPC at NJ.
http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/KarmanS/coopernjvpc.jpg
http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/KarmanS/coopernjvpc2.jpg

All the Coopers seem to come with a white roof. I believe those are probably the dealer demos. If you look far enough into the 2nd pic, you can see a couple EB Cooper Ses in the background. :)

Interesting - white roof, but black wing mirrors.

I didn't think you could specify such a mix. Not sure I'd want to, of course ...

Unless of course those *aren't* white roofs, but are a variety of colours protected with white plastic in transit, like the bonnets (hoods) are. That would explain (i) the complete absence of black and body-coloured roofs, and (ii) the black wing mirrors.

Originally posted by Viscount Charles
Unless of course those *aren't* white roofs, but are a variety of colours protected with white plastic in transit, like the bonnets (hoods) are. That would explain (i) the complete absence of black and body-coloured roofs, and (ii) the black wing mirrors.

I don't think there's any doubt, many of those ARE black roofs or body color with the white protectant. You can even see the inconsistantcies with the white, it's definitely sticker-type material.

Great photos!

Is anyone else surprised by the large number of Liquid Yellow MINI Coopers? Did MINIUSA just pick something bright to attract attention during demo use, or do they think many US buyers will want to see the yellow in person before placing orders?

Great photos. Great colors - and that sky too!

I bet you `yanks` are looking forward to seeing them locally.

I wonder how you`d describe a large group of MINI`s - as in a gaggle of geese etc etc?

How about a mint of MINI`s?

It wont be long until the MINI takes up a regular space on the quay side :D :D :D

Originally posted by Jakx
How about a mint of MINI`s?

Or maybe A ménage à MINIs?:confused:

a "motor" of MINI's?

A mayhem of MINI's.

A multiplicity of MINIs...

A beautiful sight, thats what I would call them.

Or Manna from heaven for the folks in the US! :D

Andy

Hands off the yellow S. It's mine.
DeniseK:D :D

Originally posted by DeniseK
Hands off the yellow S. It's mine.
DeniseK:D :D
Any relation to BruceK :confused: :confused: :)

Thanks KarmanS

For the Jersey VPC photos. From what I have seen from the US spec MINI pics so far, leads me to believe that there won't be any "S" available for demo purposes when the 58 US MINI dealers open their doors in late March. I have only been able to spot 6 "S"es--5 Electric Blue and 1 Dark Silver--not the 60 or so required for each dealer to have one demo.

However, since the current batch of Coopers has only 4 colors--Indie Blue, Liquid Yellow, Pure Silver and Chilli Red--that would portend the impending arrival of at least one more shipment from UK to supply the other 4 Cooper colors. I can't imagine dealers opening without BRG Coopers, since I think that will be the most popular US color.

When I saw the Cooper in person last Friday, I was told my dealer (Crown BMW/MINI Richmond) would be getting 2 Cooper and 1 Cooper S demo cars for sure by the 18th of March.

Not all dealers will be opening in March :(, so it would make sense that there are not 60 Cooper S in the lot. Our dealer is right on schedule and will be opening the 2nd or 3rd week of March, including classic Minis alongside the new cars :D

Also, I believe there is another VPC in Oxnard CA.

My dealer says he is not expecting any demo Cooper S's until Late May!

Howdy Andy!

I take it that you have already driven a Cooper, but are holding out for a 'S'? If you have driven a Cooper, what did you find lacking in it's driving? I'm asking because although I'd prefer an 'S', I might have to wait 10 mos. longer for an 'S' than if I opted for the standard Cooper. I live in an area that is at 5000+ feet elevation, and that fact drastically cuts back on the performance of a NA engine. I think I remember that a NA engine loses 5% of its output per 1000Ft of altitude. That would mean about 85 bhp instead of the 115bhp advertized for the Cooper. A turbocharged or supercharged engine is the best way to compensate for the reduction in power at higher altitudes.
I'm hoping my dealer will have both a Cooper and a 'S' to test drive before my number comes up on Cooper list and I have to commit. I am also saddled with a 'schlock' dealer rep which makes my decision tougher.

Karmine -- I live at 7,500-ft., which is the reason I am getting the S. I'm working with a car advisor/broker and he's been quite helpful in explaining about the altitude. He warned me to choose the Cooper S because of the altitude and performance.
DeniseK
* No relation to BruceK unless he gets his car before I do:D

I love the pics cant wait to get my hands on one I have already sat in one at the LA auto show and love everything about it I even seen one at CES 2002 with the cooper works bodykit and clear tail lamps. Also do you notice the mini's are parked next to the new BMW 7 series it must mean something:D