New photos on World Car Fans

[minigolf]

It's kind of exciting when you spot a camoflauged car out in public though. We saw three when we were at the Nüburgring. I only got pics of two though.

[~Marcus~]

Wheelarches look massive - I'm going to need at least 18 inch wheels to fill them

[I love MINI, Laura]

I really like it actually! Its looking quite finished now. I think the think thats throwing me on the front end is that the chrome rings around the lights have been camoflaged and it doesn't look finished without them. Really like the back bumper. I think I will have one soon if I like the engine that is. If not Checkmate 2006 here I come!

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by minigolf

It's kind of exciting when you spot a camoflauged car out in public though. We saw three when we were at the Nüburgring. I only got pics of two though.

We see them a lot, usually Nissans (not interested) or Aston Martins (hubba hubba).

[memphisto]

Thumbs down.

Not a fan of all the visible seams around the wheel arches and the front lights. Don't like the lump on the 'C' post either, or the chrome strip being fitted along the back of the bonnet..strange.

Maybe the finished article will look better!?

[Hugo]

Don't like the bumpers or the new front. Front makes the Mini look fat and ugly especially the grill

[Tonyt3]

Quote: Originally Posted by memphisto

Thumbs down.

Not a fan of all the visible seams around the wheel arches and the front lights. Don't like the lump on the 'C' post either, or the chrome strip being fitted along the back of the bonnet..strange.

Maybe the finished article will look better!?

I have to agree, these seem to stand out badly. The fromnt wheel arch is now not attached to the bonnet, so its all one piece - which means theres a rather bad gap between bonnet and wheel arch on the front. Same with the lights - not part of the bonnet, so theres a gap too......

bad decsions probably driven by cost saving I would say...

Chrome over bonnet is too much too.

overall a fresh looking facelift, but these items do stick out as badly thought out when compared to the current car....

[minigolf]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3

I have to agree, these seem to stand out badly. The fromnt wheel arch is now not attached to the bonnet, so its all one piece - which means theres a rather bad gap between bonnet and wheel arch on the front. Same with the lights - not part of the bonnet, so theres a gap too......

bad decsions probably driven by cost saving I would say...

Chrome over bonnet is too much too.

overall a fresh looking facelift, but these items do stick out as badly thought out when compared to the current car....

The way the current arch/moulding attaches to the bonnet is far from ideal IMO, so at least in changing this they are, theoretically, making an improvement in fit and finish. I guess the proof will be in the pudding rather than these spy shots.



ps. With any luck the new wheel arches won't look dimpled in the wrong light like the current ones either.

[JDinho]

How much of the bodywork would people estimate to be set as final car, guaranteed to be on the production cars? Could areas like the wheel arches etc be easily fabricated for use on the testing cars? From the spy shots has anyone been able to closely monitor and changes to the bumpers etc to see if they are slowly morphing each time?

My immediate concerns are at the rear, the exposed back box and suspension arms don't look good. I'm hoping that on the final model this is rectified. The front is different but again i'm hopefull that this will be resolved before its unveiling.

I have my sights set on ordering a 50th Anniversary Works model

[Tonyt3]

As i understand it the car is finished and ready to be unveiled, which will be soon.

So if you really dont like anything, well, i think your stuck with it.

The only thing we dont seem to have picked up on yet is differences between the Cooper and the Cooper S. There are sure to be bumper/skirt differences, and I'm pretty sure they will be doing some more agressive 'Aero kit' styling...

[JDinho]

Thanks Tony

Hopefully the works will be bodykitted & have lots of other nice gizmometry dripping of it.

Still, I'm eager to see the finished product in all its guises.

[Paul]

From the spy shots alone we've seen different grilles and bumper trim on the Cooper/One as opposed to the S. The JCW will come from the factory with a different body kit etc. too.

[mendel williams]

I am sleeping a little easier as the design is similar to the present but am gutted that the clamshell bonnet has gone *** the accountants and pedestrians

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Really, really don't approve of the move away from the curved rear windows and the stick on piece of plastic trim that's taken its place.

Really, really don't like the fattening of the car's rear that makes it look more like a last generation Clio. This is not a good thing, as even Renault worked out that there must be something very wrong with their design department and imported help for the current generation of Clio.

Really, really don't like the increased front overhang; a tiny front overhang is a very rare thing in a front wheel drive car.

Really, really don't like the near loss of the headlamps cowls in the bonnet pressing that reminded me so much of being in my mum's old Morris 1300!

AND they STILL haven't fitted LED tail lights. What a wasted opportunity

Overall a fairly predictable update, in a next generation Golf / 911 sort of a way. However, it moves the style slightly further away from being uniquely MINI and slightly further towards being just like any other FWD supermini

Tigger.

[baskers]

Just seen this thread and the pics - car looks fantastic, really does. Makes me sure the finished version will look great. Still unsure about the interior