New photos on World Car Fans

[minisoopercooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

So I hear.

hearing voices is the 1st sign of madness Paul

The 2nd is starting a website community

Theres no hope for you now!!!

[envy]

Quite nice and a bit more 'smoother' than the current model

[hairyhen]

Wowee, yes it does look a lot like the current car dosent it! I like!
I'll take one, in Black and White please...

[Matt LHA]

are the rear quarter panel vertical spoilers between the qtr window and rear window to help deflect the dirt off the rear ?

[:: Jon ::]

disliking the rear and front bumpers, front grille, huge mirrors, window wiper positions, indicators inside headlights!!!

[Paul]

Other than that though...

[envy]

Hmm wonder if any areas of the 'new' mini can fit the current mini.

E.g. Side Skirts, Bumpers, Grille and maybe even changing current mini interior parts for the 'new' mini parts?

Hope so anyway!

[Paul]

I've had it on good authority that a lot COULD be swapped, but not much without considerable effort and "adjustments". Like the entire dash for example!

[JBOO]

Looks like one muffler can underneath. Are the orange lights in the headlights on the current generation? Overall, look better than I expected. Wish I knew what to think about the new engine.

[DeadCanDanceR]

Quote: Originally Posted by emu_p

Daft question but I will ask it anyway - why do these spy shots always have tape around the front and rear lights???

That's just a very simple way to camouflage a car that looks so similar to the current model.





I'm glad to see that BMW is being this subtle changing the MINI. In doing so they're recognizing and ensuring the success of the MINI's image!

[minigolf]

I think the tape is to hide the design details of the car.

Interesting that behind the exhaust tips you can see the muffler. I'm guessing this has been mentioned elsewhere anyway, but I guess the battery has been moved as well.

I quite like the look of the new car, although the rear bumper and the tiny bit of grille edging that drops in to the front bumper look a bit naff to me at this stage.

Would be good if the JCW cars have a different kit, seeing as all the promo pics for the current JCW have the Aero Kit fitted giving the implication that the body kit is part of the upgrade.

[Baker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

I like some of the wacky designs other manufacturers use to cover up details and lines, with crazy patterns all over them.

We do this at work with our "Mules" - if you've got black and white checkers and lines etc all over the cars, it can make it very hard for a camera to autofocus on when its going fast - it does not know to look at the black or the white.

I'd be happy if they moved the battery to either a left or right cubby hole in the boot (depending on if it is a LHD/RHD car), as this would give a good weight distrobution against the driver.

From what I've heard the JCW will actually be another product in the range - i.e. you'll have a Cooper, a Cooper S, and a JCW, not just a MCS with a JCW kit.

Interesting useless info - the "race tape" hiding details on the car is actually being painted in the paintshop at Oxford to help further camoflage the car .

[MickyD]

Quote: Originally Posted by Baker

if you've got black and white checkers and lines etc all over the cars, it can make it very hard for a camera to autofocus on when its going fast - it does not know to look at the black or the white..

wrong, it would actually make it a lot easier to focus on, since the AF in a camera works on contrast.
Try focusing a camera on a blank piece of paper, and then try the same on a piece of paper with lines all over it.

[Baker]

Hmm, thats opposite to what the powers at be at the Holden Proving ground say... maybe thats why so many spy pics come out .

On saying that I obviously trust you MUCH more with photography than them

[Todd!]

I would say the real reason why they put the stuff is to draw attention to them without giving away all the final important details...

Ie - what do we want to know about the car right now? How the side vents look, the new headlight treatment and the back end... Badges, etc are normally covered up as well. It is all about generating hype. Without hype, the wont be seen in magazines as "PROTOTYPE undergoes final test at The 'ring!"

A model release must not be too far away surely!?!

BTW - Dan, I forgot The 'ring sticker from you last week.

Todd