MINI2 Exclusive: Your questions answered by the MINI design team!

[dalboyne]

How much of the new design was driven by the wish to save costs in the manufacturing process?

[Derepente]

Quote: Originally Posted by British SD (original)

What new concepts are the design team currently working on? convertible, JCW, 4 door traveller, sportster. How might they be different to the current new MINI?

Totally want to know this one! (almost purchased a cabrio but didn't since the 07 is an 06 Mini)

What plans are there for the 2007 or 2008 convertible MINI Cooper S? Why was this model not 'upgraded now'? When do you hope to see it available?

thank you!
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"Waiting for the new and improved MINI Cooper S convertible!"

[Ryephile]

#1: There are many aspects of this new generation MINI that are oxymoronic; thicker flanks, more overall length, bonnet height gain, larger wheel arches, bigger headlights/taillights/side markers, huge speedometer, and more toggle switches. Why did the design team take this "more is more" approach instead of refining and evolving the relatively sexy and svelte previous generation MINI?

#2: The MINI exterior aesthetic has always been strangled with low-saturation colors. The new Mellow Yellow, Laser Blue, and Lightning Blue look to be improvements in saturation over Liquid Yellow, Electric Blue, and Hyper Blue, however they still don't match the visual "punch" of colors like Porsche's Yellow and Ferrari's Red. Why doesn't the MINI color palette use bold, high-saturation colors to compliment the bold design language of the MINI?

#3: The previous generation MINI started production in 2001 with its' wheels placed acceptably within the wheel arches in terms of ride height. Over the years, the ride height slowly grew to be less ideal looking for a sporting "hot hatch". Considering the design team had a fresh slate to "reset" the look of the ride height, why does it appear that MINI has set the look of the ride height taller and more off-road oriented than ever?

Thanks!
Ryan

[JMWhittaker]

( 1 ) How much usability research did you do on the orientation, placement and function of the new center console, primarily the heating adjustments? It is counter intuitive to view and operate those new dials that are at 90 degrees to the old twist style. I could glance and instantly know what the temp gauge was set at and where the air was being directed. Now I have to look at some blue or red recessed marking on a small scroll wheel. This to me requires more concentration and time to digest resulting in less eyes on the road - possible safety issue?

( 2 ) The interior door pulls have lost the angled vertical part that the old mini (R52/3) had, why was this decision made as it now makes closing the door more awekward than before. Was this done purely for asthetics rather than function?

( 3 ) Why was the decision made to not use LED lights on the new Mini? They light up brighter and faster than conventional bulbs at 70 mph that could equal almost the length of a mini ( Lotus did a test on LED bulbs ). Most other manufacturers are using them within their model range, surely they are more cost effective, was this a business, safety or design decision?

( 4 ) The dashboard seems to have taken alot of influence from the BMW 1 series then had some Mini grafted on the top. What was the thought process for this and was it business driven?

( 5 ) Why is there still not a solid black?

Many thanks for your time.

[mikeythemini]

I asked the chief designer about the LED lights & was told they are too expensive & they may come out as an accessory

[Iamamini]

I think the center console (the lower part with the heat control and CD-slot and so on) looks very cheap and ugly, it looks like a toy of plastic. Will you change this for the face lift that we might see later on? I can`t see myself buying the new MINI looking like that.
Also, the black plastic trim parts surrounding the wheel arches are too big, it looks like what a SUV might have, not a MINI.

[Restyle]

Quote: Originally Posted by Iamamini

I think the center console (the lower part with the heat control and CD-slot and so on) looks very cheap and ugly, it looks like a toy of plastic. Will you change this for the face lift that we might see later on? ...

I asked a similar question about the amateurish design of the centre console a few weeks ago .. & it got deleted.
I dont think anyone is allowed to mention that part of the design, unless you phrase the question in a way that praises the design team for say, its innovative use of recycled materials, or similar nice comment

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini (original)

I asked the chief designer about the LED lights & was told they are too expensive & they may come out as an accessory

We could phrase the question "If we are paying premium money for a 3 door supermini, why is it still not possible to include quality items like LED lamps (or curved glass, for that matter) within the premium price that we are paying?"

Tigger.

[Pentagon]

why is there a dirty great ledge half way down my rooflining making the previously excellent headroom less, this step keeps hitting the back of my head when I drive. My car has no sunroof ( of course )

[R56SMAN]

When the R56 / R56S is tested by the IIHS, will the new design yield improved crash test results especially in the areas of side and rear crash protection?

Please see the following 12/19/06 report, especially page 7: http://www.iihs.org/news/2006/iihs_news_121906.pdf

Thanks!

[ALD0]

When will the questions be answered?

[Rakey]

Paul, you could ask, when designing the new rear lights, why was the indicator light placed inside the brake light circle?

If this is for a visual reason then ask should the function of such a safety item come first as when the brakes are applied the indicator becomes invisible to cars behind and could result in rear end collisions.

[CC07ERS]

when is this q&a then this thread has been going for a while

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Can we be assured that the design team will have to answer a representative proportion of critical questions about the disappointing aspects of their design work?

Tigger.

[*Vikki*]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIMANIAUK (original)

Why does not the car have a stainless steel exhaust system from new?

i thought they have on the new one?