EnI

AutoArt - a manufacturer of miniature car models - has already included 1:18 MINI Cooper MY 2006 in their new catalog - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. Even the pic is there (at the end of the page) - by mistake. According to my source BMW AG is already takan an action forcing AA to be remove the pic.

Here is a close up:

siko

Only the skirt changes?!

EnI

Current one / new one:

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Front bumper is different. Air intake different. Front spoiler different. Bigger fog lights. Turn indicators now integrated in headlights, not more in the bumpers. Headlight cluster layout different. Grill different - now in one piece. Hood different - much higher.

Very similar to Traveller Concept:

bum-man

This is a face lift right? I think I like the current one better.

EnI

No. This a major redisign: a new generation of MINI - MINI gen. III. But they kept overall shape almost untouched since MINI is a design icon - like Porsche 911.

EnI

Guys, I'm not joking!!! This is real! A new generation of MINI Cooper (coded R56).

I now I lost much o reputation with all the E92 3-series Coupe press release date fiasco, but still ... You'll see all the other info I provided to be proven true.

Centurion

I would like to see shots shots. BMW shouldn't be too pist about it, the pictures doesn't reveal that much.

Beemer B773ER

I believe you Tine that this is a new Mini... but there are barely any major changes. It just looks like a cosmestic touch up... unless there have been considerable improvements to the chassis and all the other hidden aspects of the car.
I guess they're sticking with a winning formula in terms of the looks of the car, but I was expecting a few more changes noticeable changes than that. It looks more like the current Mini than the Mini Traveller Concept.



PS: This does not mean I don't like the car... coz I totally love the Mini, awesome looking car!!

EnI

As I said: MINI is a design icon, so it was wrong to expect the design would be changed much. New skin seems more fluent and clean - more modern. But the shape stays almost the same (even the size) - it was not changed much, only to meet new safty standards.
The biggest changes are under the skin: new better engines, new more rigid chasis, even better steering, new gearbox - all leading to better driving dynamics. Also Interior is slightly remodeled - the most improvement is in details, materials and fit & finish.

Traveller is different due to being a Concept - withot air inrake, without bumper, having Cooper S air intake in the hood, also possibly being a bit higher due to its purpose: providing more space. Also it will slightly differ from the Cooper - not wanting to be just an enlogated Cooper.

EnI

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New MINI Cooper interior.


Standard trim:


High end trim: