MINI2

courtinnyc · Jan 7th, 2004, 03:01 AM

Does anyone else think Mazda is taking its styling cues from MINI with this new concept?

http://autoshow.msn.com/as/autoshow2...c=autoshow2004

The MX Micro Sport Concept looks to me like a Mazda-fied version of what a four-door MINI might look like... Granted, it's more angular, and not nearly as good-looking, but it has roughly the same shape, proportions and fenders. And take a look at those black front pillars... and the twin tailpipe in the center. What a ripoff!

The MINI also apparently inspired the folks over at Chevrolet. The official NAIAS website describes the Chevy Nomad concept as a potential MINI competitor, saying "Its compact dimensions and two-box styling defy classification into SUV, wagon or sedan, while its floating-roof look, two-door configuration and forward-leaning tailgate and B-pillars are highly reminiscent of the MINI. The similarity is even greater inside, where the fan-shaped instrument cluster and circular instruments, controls and vents all suggest the MINI look. GM tacitly acknowledges the link, even pointing out that the Nomad was actually designed in Britain, with help from Pininfarina in Italy."

Here's the link:
http://autoshow.msn.com/as/autoshow2...c=autoshow2004

Thoughts?

doona · Jan 7th, 2004, 03:05 AM

How bad is that... can you beleive that treatment they have given the exhaust!!

Also, I had a closer look at the interior, if you look at the centre console it looksvery MINI.

NEMINI · Jan 7th, 2004, 03:05 AM

you know writers are getting desparate for a MINI competitor when they start comparing it to something that looks like a station wagon

Eric B · Jan 7th, 2004, 04:29 AM

Note the 3 spoke wheel on that mazda?

Dave · Jan 7th, 2004, 06:15 AM

Nope - it's a real stretch (apart from the rear exhaust - which isn't exactly a unique MINI design).

Dave

tavis1 · Jan 7th, 2004, 06:44 AM

I used to be a die hard Chevy fan but there car designs really suck. The only thing chevy had was the Corvette and the Camaro. Well they killed the Camaro and the Vett is highly priced. They came out with the SSR truck but still high priced. They need this Nomad to breath life back into there car market. They have the worst auto sales out of the big three. The only thing they have for a some-what economical sports car is the Cavalear---puke!
Tavis1

Paul · Jan 7th, 2004, 08:47 AM

I think it's a real stretch to find any real MINI influences there to be honest.

stryder · Jan 7th, 2004, 03:40 PM

I'm planning on driving up to detroit either this weekend or next, so if you have specific cars you'd like to see, I can probably get some pictures, with my horrible camera...

And btw, edmunds.com has better coverage of auto shows then msn in my view.

DITCH · Jan 7th, 2004, 04:21 PM

I like it. I don't see the resemblamce to the MINI, except the shifter ring and the dual cupholders. The steering wheel looks like it belongs on a Z4, though.

Ditch

milliethemini · Jan 8th, 2004, 08:03 AM

I've been considering getting a Mazda3 as a 2nd car, and so have been checking out the Mazda3 forums at edmunds.com.

Guess what - there's a discussion of the MX-Micro in one of their forums, and some of them actually think that the MX-Micro does resemble a 4 door MINI!!

Here's the link:

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/Web...@.ef130a7/5385

The comparison is on posts# 5400, 5401 and 5403.

I do think they mean that as a compliment

Jan 7th, 2004, 03:01 AM	#1
courtinnyc MINI2 Regular Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York City Local Time: 12:46 AM Posts: 63 Offline	MINI Influences at Detroit Auto Show Does anyone else think Mazda is taking its styling cues from MINI with this new concept? http://autoshow.msn.com/as/autoshow2...c=autoshow2004 The MX Micro Sport Concept looks to me like a Mazda-fied version of what a four-door MINI might look like... Granted, it's more angular, and not nearly as good-looking, but it has roughly the same shape, proportions and fenders. And take a look at those black front pillars... and the twin tailpipe in the center. What a ripoff! The MINI also apparently inspired the folks over at Chevrolet. The official NAIAS website describes the Chevy Nomad concept as a potential MINI competitor, saying "Its compact dimensions and two-box styling defy classification into SUV, wagon or sedan, while its floating-roof look, two-door configuration and forward-leaning tailgate and B-pillars are highly reminiscent of the MINI. The similarity is even greater inside, where the fan-shaped instrument cluster and circular instruments, controls and vents all suggest the MINI look. GM tacitly acknowledges the link, even pointing out that the Nomad was actually designed in Britain, with help from Pininfarina in Italy." Here's the link: http://autoshow.msn.com/as/autoshow2...c=autoshow2004 Thoughts?

Jan 7th, 2004, 03:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
NEMINI NEMINI.org Join Date: Sep 2002 Local Time: 07:46 PM Posts: 7,866 Offline	you know writers are getting desparate for a MINI competitor when they start comparing it to something that looks like a station wagon NEMINI.org, NEMINI.us, NEMINI.info, NYMINI.org

Jan 7th, 2004, 08:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 12:46 AM Posts: 40,356 Offline	I think it's a real stretch to find any real MINI influences there to be honest. Our trials and tribulations living in a "bleeding edge" eco house... Oxley Woods Living

Jan 7th, 2004, 03:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
stryder Sponsor/Moderator/Other Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Cleveland Local Time: 07:46 PM Posts: 3,267 Offline	I'm planning on driving up to detroit either this weekend or next, so if you have specific cars you'd like to see, I can probably get some pictures, with my horrible camera... And btw, edmunds.com has better coverage of auto shows then msn in my view. Magic 8-ball was correct. All be in awe of Magic 8 ball.

Jan 8th, 2004, 08:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
milliethemini Rep withdrawal sucks..... Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC,Canada Local Time: 05:46 PM Posts: 1,087 Offline	Mazda owners actually think the MX-Micro does look like a MINI I've been considering getting a Mazda3 as a 2nd car, and so have been checking out the Mazda3 forums at edmunds.com. Guess what - there's a discussion of the MX-Micro in one of their forums, and some of them actually think that the MX-Micro does resemble a 4 door MINI!! Here's the link: http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/Web...@.ef130a7/5385 The comparison is on posts# 5400, 5401 and 5403. I do think they mean that as a compliment

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Jan 7th, 2004, 03:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
doona ......... Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 10:46 AM Posts: 2,802 Offline	How bad is that... can you beleive that treatment they have given the exhaust!! Also, I had a closer look at the interior, if you look at the centre console it looksvery MINI.

Jan 7th, 2004, 04:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
Eric B N.O.T. Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Where you left me Local Time: 05:46 PM Posts: 1,605 Offline	Note the 3 spoke wheel on that mazda?

Jan 7th, 2004, 06:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
Dave MINI2 Senior Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Western WA Local Time: 12:46 AM Posts: 420 Offline	Nope - it's a real stretch (apart from the rear exhaust - which isn't exactly a unique MINI design). Dave

Jan 7th, 2004, 06:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
tavis1 a.k.a Handsome Rob Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Helms Deep Local Time: 05:46 PM Posts: 2,948 Offline	I used to be a die hard Chevy fan but there car designs really suck. The only thing chevy had was the Corvette and the Camaro. Well they killed the Camaro and the Vett is highly priced. They came out with the SSR truck but still high priced. They need this Nomad to breath life back into there car market. They have the worst auto sales out of the big three. The only thing they have for a some-what economical sports car is the Cavalear---puke! Tavis1

Jan 7th, 2004, 04:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
DITCH MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Titusville, FL<br>'99 Mazda Miata<br>'03 MC Chili Red/White Local Time: 08:46 PM Posts: 187 Offline	I like it. I don't see the resemblamce to the MINI, except the shifter ring and the dual cupholders. The steering wheel looks like it belongs on a Z4, though. Ditch

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