New F56 Spy Shots Confirm Rocketman-style Headlights

[mab01uk]

"This latest image confirms something we’ve been reporting for more than a year: the F56 will have Rocketman-style headlights. The “halo” light rings aren’t turned on for this test mule, but they’re clearly visible. Also obvious in these shots is just how much cladding is sitting on top of the car’s true shape (look at the access hatch seams, for instance). Completely hidden are the car’s front grill shape and hoodline, which we also expect to be heavily influenced by the Rocketman Concept. All of this bodes well for the F56′s final design."
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MotoringFile Archive New F56 Spy Shots Confirm Rocketman-style Headlights

[newbeemini]

well thats torn it for me. no central speedo, putting the start button on the toggle switches? This car is going to cost more to buy and feel less like a mini. If i cant get another R56 next year then i will be waving MINI bye bye i think!

[Blackhawks]

I agree, if the style direction is going towards the Rocketman for the 3rd gens, then it will be easy to scratch MINI off the "to buy" list.

[newbeemini]

Looks like there doing a microsoft Windows 7 great Windows 8 not! Theres nothing wrong with the R56 why change it if its not broken?

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by newbeemini (original)

well thats torn it for me. no central speedo, putting the start button on the toggle switches? This car is going to cost more to buy and feel less like a mini. If i cant get another R56 next year then i will be waving MINI bye bye i think!

Is there really going to be be no central speedo?



All these comment seem so familiar from the days when the R56 originally replaced the R50/R53, so it's quite funny really

[mab01uk]

Quote: Originally Posted by newbeemini (original)

Looks like there doing a microsoft Windows 7 great Windows 8 not! Theres nothing wrong with the R56 why change it if its not broken?

MINI/BMW really have no choice but to change and update the MINI at regular intervals to maintain sales and meet new and proposed safety and emission regs. The press and media road tests are already starting to mark the R56 down as the competition catch up or improve in certain areas. The slow downfall of classic Mini sales from their peak in 1971 of 300,000+ a year to less than 10,000 per year by year 2000 was due to little or no investment or model updates over a long period of time by BL, Rover, etc.........

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by mab01uk (original)

MINI/BMW really have no choice but to change and update the MINI at regular intervals to maintain sales and meet new and proposed safety and emission regs. The press and media road tests are already starting to mark the R56 down as the competition catch up or improve in certain areas. The slow downfall of classic Mini sales from their peak in 1971 of 300,000+ a year to less than 10,000 per year by year 2000 was due to little or no investment or model updates over a long period of time by BL, Rover, etc.........

Quite right, especially when the R56 was only adding a new engine and a re-skin to the 2000 original R50/R53. As the original was never designed to achieve a 5 star Euroncap rating, good pedestrian safety and low CO2 emissions, there were quite a few styling compromises with the R56.

I, for one, am looking forward to seeing the next generation and look forward to seeing what a clean sheet design can bring. I'm only hoping that there aren't too many new compromises brought about to allow it to share a platform with the BMW 1 Series.