MINI2

Paul · Nov 30th, 2006, 11:08 AM

Back in May 2001, MINI2 arranged an exclusive Q&A for our members with MINI designer Frank Stephenson, you may be interested in the results:

16th May 2001: Your questions answered by Frank Stephenson

Now, for 2006, we're offering you the exclusive chance to put your questions to Gert Hildebrand (head of MINI design) and his team, which they will attempt to answer not just in words, but pictures!

Please fire away with any DESIGN related questions only about the new second generation MINI, and we will try and pick from the most popular, and most interesting, questions and put ten to the design team at Munich to see what they can come up with.

Please keep this thread purely for questions you wish placed to the MINI design team and free from banter, which will be removed/cleaned up to make picking out the questions easier. Thanks.

Paul

LMB · Nov 30th, 2006, 11:17 AM

Why did you extend the rear of the Mini?

mcs_sjp · Nov 30th, 2006, 11:20 AM

Where do you get the inspiration for all of the unique design features that give the Mini its head turning looks?

minigolf · Nov 30th, 2006, 11:23 AM

Was designing the new headlight cluster a welcome challenge, or would you have preferred to have left the lights mounted in the bonnet as per the old car? Do you believe there are any compromises with either solution?

Hat · Nov 30th, 2006, 11:25 AM

why are so many of the exterior colours at the cold end of the spectrum - black, grey, blue? why not more lighter, fun shades which would complement the mini's character better?

Juno · Nov 30th, 2006, 11:40 AM

Oh great! : -

What is the intended function for the switch blank, in the middle - just in front of the gear shift?

Are there any plans (/test mules) for an all wheel drive system?

Thanks in advance,

Pete

Goonery · Nov 30th, 2006, 11:45 AM

Why does the wheel look so lost in the wheelarch now, anything less than 18" rims looks so wrong in that cave of an opening?

deanquartermaine · Nov 30th, 2006, 11:45 AM

Why where the dials changed to much bigger and IMHO lower quality dials?

Why did MINI make the decision not to allow the easy fitting of aftermarket head units in the R56?

Olly. · Nov 30th, 2006, 12:07 PM

What was the motivation behind removing the C pillar wrap around glass?

Joema · Nov 30th, 2006, 12:24 PM

What was the thought process behind the design of the center console?

Any plans for a chrono package? If so, will it include a speedometer above the steering wheel like the prior model?

thanks.

JWF · Nov 30th, 2006, 12:25 PM

why was the mini made bigger imo its a mini after all and with the r50 being almost double the size of the classic

also regarding the design of the seats why have they lost the bucket esqe elemnt of the old ones

AprilWhine · Nov 30th, 2006, 02:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Hat (original)

why are so many of the exterior colours at the cold end of the spectrum - black, grey, blue? why not more lighter, fun shades which would complement the mini's character better?

Worth repeating.

Why so many exterior colors on the dark side? The MINI should have cheerful colors to match its personality.

British SD · Nov 30th, 2006, 03:03 PM

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?

AidenL · Nov 30th, 2006, 03:12 PM

What was the thinking behind the front grille and the slightly puffer fish-like 'face' now exhibited ?

MyNameIsEarl · Nov 30th, 2006, 04:46 PM

Why did you designed the interior favouring the GPS layout? And why don't we get markings on both MPH and KMH?! All other British cars do!

Why couldn't the front lights be more upright in a more mini-like fashion? Was the R56 inspired partly by Aston Martin?

Why do the rear lights need to be so big and surrounded by chrome?

Why did you remove the wrap around rear side windows? Especially considering the new ones still don't open.

What inspired you to design those plastic side indicator clusters?

Why change the way indicators operate?

What are the general plans for the 'mid-life facelift' and for the next generation mini? What should we expect?

jordan · Nov 30th, 2006, 04:58 PM

will the MINI range Be joined by new Versions?

Will the new traveller look the like the new r56 mini?

I really like MINI's Design Concepts will there be more MINI Concepts In the near future?

Where does the MINI Concept go after Motorshows?

*Vikki* · Nov 30th, 2006, 05:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MyNameIsEarl (original)

Why did you designed the interior favouring the GPS layout? And why don't we get markings on both MPH and KMH?! All other British cars do!

Why couldn't the front lights be more upright in a more mini-like fashion? Was the R56 inspired partly by Aston Martin?

Why do the rear lights need to be so big and surrounded by chrome?

Why did you remove the wrap around rear side windows? Especially considering the new ones still don't open.

What inspired you to design those plastic side indicator clusters?

Why change the way indicators operate?

What are the general plans for the 'mid-life facelift' and for the next generation mini? What should we expect?

repeat everything said here

Paul · Nov 30th, 2006, 05:06 PM

Also, I doubt we'll get much (if anything) in the way of "future projects", as they're going to be answering with illustrations where possible, so that's just not going to happen. Please keep on the design of the CURRENT 2nd gen Cooper & S.

minisoopercooper · Nov 30th, 2006, 05:26 PM

why are the black trim lines (front and back) now not on the close lines like before? Will make bumper chaging more fiddly etc.

CC07ERS · Nov 30th, 2006, 05:30 PM

why do you persist with the black wheel arches

Nov 30th, 2006, 11:08 AM	#1
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 40,553 Offline	MINI2 Exclusive: Your questions answered by the MINI design team! Back in May 2001, MINI2 arranged an exclusive Q&A for our members with MINI designer Frank Stephenson, you may be interested in the results: 16th May 2001: Your questions answered by Frank Stephenson Now, for 2006, we're offering you the exclusive chance to put your questions to Gert Hildebrand (head of MINI design) and his team, which they will attempt to answer not just in words, but pictures! Please fire away with any DESIGN related questions only about the new second generation MINI, and we will try and pick from the most popular, and most interesting, questions and put ten to the design team at Munich to see what they can come up with. Please keep this thread purely for questions you wish placed to the MINI design team and free from banter, which will be removed/cleaned up to make picking out the questions easier. Thanks. Paul

Nov 30th, 2006, 11:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
LMB Toon Toon.. My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Up North Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 24,859 Offline	Why did you extend the rear of the Mini? Global Moderator

Nov 30th, 2006, 11:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
minigolf Blue is the colour! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canberra, Australia Local Time: 11:47 AM Posts: 14,029 Offline	Was designing the new headlight cluster a welcome challenge, or would you have preferred to have left the lights mounted in the bonnet as per the old car? Do you believe there are any compromises with either solution? Sabine Schmitz: Fear disturbs your concentration.

Nov 30th, 2006, 11:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
Goonery Time for CHANGE ! My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 13,523 Offline	Why does the wheel look so lost in the wheelarch now, anything less than 18" rims looks so wrong in that cave of an opening? Last edited by Paul : Dec 2nd, 2006 at 01:04 PM.

Nov 30th, 2006, 11:45 AM	#8 (permalink)
deanquartermaine MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Worksop, Notts Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 504 Offline	Why where the dials changed to much bigger and IMHO lower quality dials? Why did MINI make the decision not to allow the easy fitting of aftermarket head units in the R56? http://www.nottsminiclub.co.uk Winner of Your Cars in Modern MINI Magazine July 2008 Last edited by Paul : Dec 2nd, 2006 at 01:05 PM.

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Nov 30th, 2006, 11:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
mcs_sjp MINI2 Newbie My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2006 Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 43 Offline	Where do you get the inspiration for all of the unique design features that give the Mini its head turning looks?

Nov 30th, 2006, 11:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
Hat cook pass babtridge My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2002 Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 15,800 Offline	why are so many of the exterior colours at the cold end of the spectrum - black, grey, blue? why not more lighter, fun shades which would complement the mini's character better?

Nov 30th, 2006, 11:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
Juno MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2003 Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 520 Offline	Oh great! : - What is the intended function for the switch blank, in the middle - just in front of the gear shift? Are there any plans (/test mules) for an all wheel drive system? Thanks in advance, Pete

Nov 30th, 2006, 12:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
Olly. Overboosting..... Join Date: Sep 2003 Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 3,492 Offline	What was the motivation behind removing the C pillar wrap around glass?

Nov 30th, 2006, 12:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
Joema MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Local Time: 09:47 PM Posts: 19 Offline	What was the thought process behind the design of the center console? Any plans for a chrono package? If so, will it include a speedometer above the steering wheel like the prior model? thanks. Last edited by Paul : Dec 2nd, 2006 at 01:05 PM.

Nov 30th, 2006, 12:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
JWF MINI2 Master Join Date: Dec 2004 Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 1,773 Offline	why was the mini made bigger imo its a mini after all and with the r50 being almost double the size of the classic also regarding the design of the seats why have they lost the bucket esqe elemnt of the old ones

Nov 30th, 2006, 02:53 PM	#12 (permalink)
AprilWhine Loves the Fuzzy One Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Black Hills S Dakota Local Time: 07:47 PM Posts: 16,777 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Hat (original) why are so many of the exterior colours at the cold end of the spectrum - black, grey, blue? why not more lighter, fun shades which would complement the mini's character better? Worth repeating. Why so many exterior colors on the dark side? The MINI should have cheerful colors to match its personality. Global Moderator

Nov 30th, 2006, 03:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
British SD Northern Monkey! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: In a Van by da river Local Time: 07:47 PM Posts: 367 Offline	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?

Nov 30th, 2006, 03:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
AidenL Nice TTs......... Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: On The Coast........ Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 42,147 Offline	What was the thinking behind the front grille and the slightly puffer fish-like 'face' now exhibited ? *Global Moderator*

Nov 30th, 2006, 04:46 PM	#15 (permalink)
MyNameIsEarl MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Local Time: 01:47 AM Posts: 7 Offline	Why did you designed the interior favouring the GPS layout? And why don't we get markings on both MPH and KMH?! All other British cars do! Why couldn't the front lights be more upright in a more mini-like fashion? Was the R56 inspired partly by Aston Martin? Why do the rear lights need to be so big and surrounded by chrome? Why did you remove the wrap around rear side windows? Especially considering the new ones still don't open. What inspired you to design those plastic side indicator clusters? Why change the way indicators operate? What are the general plans for the 'mid-life facelift' and for the next generation mini? What should we expect?

Nov 30th, 2006, 04:58 PM	#16 (permalink)
jordan MINI2 Master Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: York Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 786 Offline	will the MINI range Be joined by new Versions? Will the new traveller look the like the new r56 mini? I really like MINI's Design Concepts will there be more MINI Concepts In the near future? Where does the MINI Concept go after Motorshows? Jordan Bellamy Animation www.freewebs.com/jordanbllmy Where Plasticine Has a Life of Its Own

Nov 30th, 2006, 05:02 PM	#17 (permalink)
Vikki Winner MM best MINI ONE! My Classifieds Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: St Leonards-on-Sea Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 2,220 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by MyNameIsEarl (original) Why did you designed the interior favouring the GPS layout? And why don't we get markings on both MPH and KMH?! All other British cars do! Why couldn't the front lights be more upright in a more mini-like fashion? Was the R56 inspired partly by Aston Martin? Why do the rear lights need to be so big and surrounded by chrome? Why did you remove the wrap around rear side windows? Especially considering the new ones still don't open. What inspired you to design those plastic side indicator clusters? Why change the way indicators operate? What are the general plans for the 'mid-life facelift' and for the next generation mini? What should we expect? repeat everything said here

Nov 30th, 2006, 05:06 PM	#18 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 40,553 Offline	Also, I doubt we'll get much (if anything) in the way of "future projects", as they're going to be answering with illustrations where possible, so that's just not going to happen. Please keep on the design of the CURRENT 2nd gen Cooper & S.

Nov 30th, 2006, 05:26 PM	#19 (permalink)
minisoopercooper Me again Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bristol Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 19,522 Offline	why are the black trim lines (front and back) now not on the close lines like before? Will make bumper chaging more fiddly etc. Attached Thumbnails ↑↑↑ - Click me for the event of the year. - ↑↑↑

Nov 30th, 2006, 05:30 PM	#20 (permalink)
CC07ERS TYPE R GT VTEC POWERED My Classifieds Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Type R GT Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 2,721 Offline	why do you persist with the black wheel arches

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