Is MINI working already on the next R56 facelift?

[OttoMannS]

Check this out:

TCC Blog » Blog Archive » Mystery Machine – What’s With This MINI Cooper?

These R56 are heavely camoufladged R56 test mules were spotted this week near Los Angeles International Airport.

The R56 isn't selling terribly well (My local dealer has over 175 R56 MINIs in stock and offering dirt cheap lease deals) so I will not be surprised in the least that MINI is already working on a facelift.

I hope they fix the front end and place the headlights pointing straight ahead (Like in the R53), not on the sideswhich gives it that goofy big mouthed fish look.

If you pay close attention, you can see the famous BMW "angel eyes" on the right headlight.


I also suspect the cheap looking C-Pillar trim plastic cover will go away on the facelift and go back to the full wrap around glass of the previous car.

What does everyone think?

[mister.t]

Odd - Old side repeaters, old S spokes, not sure what to make of it. Maybe something to do with the works range - Both S and Cooper, maybe new bumpers?

[marx87]

I Disagree
IMO...

The R56 headlights are an improvement on the R53 shape.

Also i dont think BMW would be making a facelift model after the car has been out for just over 6 months. My dealer suspects the same as me, the facelift will come out around 2009 when the R56 convertable comes out. Same time they brought out the facelift for the first generation.

Also if this was a facelift model, wouldnt it be tested and manufactured in germany before the US?

[I love MINI, Laura]

It may be the JCW new model.

The Works model I've heard is going to be a brand new styled model

[I love MINI, Laura]

Quote: Originally Posted by marx87 (original)

Also if this was a facelift model, wouldnt it be tested and manufactured in germany before the US?

All car manufacturers test in hot and cold climates.

[dalboyne]

A third party working on new body kit perhaps?

[Root Ginger]

I posted my comments on there. The most obvious would be the JCW MINI as that is due out next year.

[PmP]

Car companies are like any business, they have engineering staff who dont stop working just cause they've released a new car. Probably are working on the next model already, but this could be test mule for this new regenerative energy thingy, or the JCW models.

The old wheels are strange, maybe they needed a wheel with a certain offset for whatever they are trying, or its part of the camoflage.

I dont know about R56 sales, but I still hardly see any on the roads over here.

[rentagas]

What cars they represent is anyone's guess but one new variant that could surface at some point is a cooper s diesel.

150-170bhp with loads of torque I suppose is possible eg 2.2HDi 173bhp. Is there any indication that this is a possible future car?

[Vinnies' Mini]

Quote: Originally Posted by rentagas (original)

150-170bhp with loads of torque I suppose is possible eg 2.2HDi 173bhp. Is there any indication that this is a possible future car?

....Siesel.....mad as a bag of cats i'd say.....

[rentagas]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vinnies' Mini (original)

....Siesel.....mad as a bag of cats i'd say.....

Sdupid

or

Super Dooper?

[Root Ginger]

150-170bhp with loads of torque I suppose is possible eg 2.2HDi 173bhp. Is there any indication that this is a possible future car?[/quote]

I think you'd struggle to fit a 2.2 Diesel under the bonnet and maintain safety reg's. It's tight enough with a 1.6!

[Paul]

Merged two threads as on the same subject.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

I reckon it's BMW's new poverty spec body kit, seen completely undisguised for the first time Certainly covering up the black plastic filler on the C pillar with PVC tape is a stroke of genius

Perhaps these are original test mules from last year and they haven't told the drivers that they've finished yet

[rentagas]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

Merged two threads as on the same subject.

Only peripherally.

I was fishing to see if there were any rumours of an uprated cooper diesel out there...........
I'm not sure there is a huge physical difference between the peugeot 1.6 and 2.0 HDi engine though I accept the 2.2 is a bit far fetched!