MINI is starting to get excited about the launch of its all-new F56 model. They’re calling it “The New Original” and you could win a ticket to one of three launch parties to be held in London (18 November), Los Angeles (19 November) or, a little bit closer to home, in Shanghai (21 November).
For your chance to win just head over to the NEW MINI web portal.
Ahead of its mid-November launch MINI has released information on the driver assistance technology to be found inside the all-new F56 model. In doing so we get a small preview of the car’s interior, at least the central screen in which much of the technology is viewed or accessed.
For the first time MINI will feature a head-up display. This will be projected onto a small folding screen in front of the driver, rather than on the windscreen as seen in similar systems.
Other technology includes collision and pedestrian warning with city braking function, speed limit info, traffic sign memory and no passing info, video-based speed and distance regulation, park assist, rear view camera and digital headlight assist.
Much of this technology relies on inbuilt cameras interpreting signs on the side of the road and filtering it into the driver’s in-car viewing. We wonder how accurate or useable these systems will really be.
More detail and pictures can be found after the break.
We’ve seen undisguised spy shots of the MINI F56 before, but this photo of the 2014 Cooper S shows us the car in its final production state. The car in question was caught during a filming run and we now have some time to get used to that new MINI face before its official launch next month.
We also know the new Cooper S will be powered by an all-new 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo engine producing 141kW and 280Nm (300Nm with overboost). That information was revealed, along with other technical highlights, by MINI late last week.
Built on BMW’s UKL1 platform the third generation MINI will be the most heavily influenced by BMW we have seen. We fear some of MINI’s charms will be lost as BMW looks to component share with its 1 Series range.
[Source: Autocar]
MINI has released details for the engine line up in its new F56 model range, ahead of the car’s November launch. And it’s a case of out with old and in with the new. The range will be headlined by a newly developed 141kW 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo engine and supported by a 100kW three cylinder 1.5 litre turbo.
Both petrol engines, the 2.0 litre has 280Nm of torque (300Nm with overboost), while the 1.5 litre has 220Nm of torque (230Nm with overboost). Joining the two petrol units will be a 1.5 litre three cylinder diesel, offering 85kW/270Nm.
One of the first signs of BMW’s technology more visibly appearing in MINIs is the TwinPower terminology, which will be applied to all engines in the line up. For the petrol engines that means technology such as direct fuel injection, variable camshaft control (dual VANOS) and fully variable valve control (Valvetronic) for more powerful engines, will be employed. While the diesel gets the most recent iteration of BMW’s common rail injection.
All engines are EU6 compliant as far as emissions are concerned.
The all-new engine range will be complemented by new manual and automatic transmissions too. Of the new manual ‘boxes MINI says, they will “feature an innovative gear sensor which adapts the engine speed when gear-shifting. This permits especially fast and sporty shifting with always the right engine speed available during gear shifts.”
As well as engine details MINI has given us brief insights into other technologies to be found in the new MINI. Items such as the Electronic Power Steering, braking systems, electronically adjustable dampers, lightweight construction techniques and improved pedestrian safety are all covered. Make sure you download the PDF after the break for more information.
MINI has announced its all-new F56 model will be revealed on 18 November, the 107th birthday of the original Mini creator Sir Alec Issigonis. The initial unveiling will take place at Plant Oxford, with a launch party in London to follow that evening.
Subsequent launch events in Los Angeles and Tokyo will usher in MINI’s new era prior to the F56 taking pride of place on MINI’s stands at the LA Auto Show and Tokyo Motor Show from 20 November.
MINI says the F56, built on BMW’s UKL1 platform, will bring “a new era of driving excitement, in-car-infotainment and premium quality in the small car segment.”
We’ve already been given a sneak preview of the F56 through some spy shots and com-gen renderings. So far the jury is out on the looks of this new MINI, we’ll have to wait and see how much of the recently released Vision concept makes it into the production model.
Despite this announcement we’d not be surprised if MINI pulled the trigger on pics for the R56 a day or two before 18 November.
Here’s some very finished looking 3D renders of the new F56 MINI Cooper S. They’ve been created by Humster 3D, who describe themselves as a 3D studio and online store. They also claim their virtual MINI has been created “using official references and descriptions with real units.”
We suspect that means they’ve also seen the spy shots from last month and not that they have an official role working with MINI. We do know the real F56 will be on show at the LA Auto Show in November, but you can probably expect to see pics and info from MINI before its show car debut.
So, that leaves us with these screen grabs and short video for now. Perhaps the third-generation MINI won’t look as bad as we first thought it might.
[Source: Humster 3D via MotoringFile]
Even thought we’ve already seen the new MINI, its official debut is now expected to take place in November at the 2013 LA Auto Show. At least that’s the word from Sue McCarthy, MINI Australia product planner, who confirmed as much with The Motor Report this morning.
McCarthy also indicated that Australian sales of the F56 MINI are expected to commence in the second quarter of 2014.
Sometimes the most rewarding times behind the wheel are when you start your journey with no expectation. This was brought to my attention after a chance opportunity to test a Paceman Cooper S came my way. Such was the enjoyment experienced I want to give the game away right at the start; the Paceman Cooper S was fantastic! Now to explain why.
To some the Paceman is a bit of an oddball proposition, and while I quite like the look I can understand why some people will never warm to it.
Inside it’s the usual MINI fare, albeit with a bit more space than is the norm. That’s not to say there’s plenty of space to spare—there’s not—but the Paceman does offer more practicality than the regular hardtop. Certainly, the driver and passenger won’t be wanting for more room and while there is an improvement in rear seat legroom it’s no limousine back there. Rear headroom, too, is compromised by the Paceman’s sleek roofline. Most passengers will make do, but if you’re well over six foot make sure you shotgun the front seat.
Similarly, the boot is much bigger than we’re accustomed to for a MINI, but again, it’s not going to be a class leader.
Around town I was surprised, amazed in fact, at the ride quality. The test car was fitted with 19†alloys wrapped in Pirelli run flat tyres and was running sports suspension as well. Except for extreme bumps on the road that would upset any car the Paceman Cooper S was never harsh and rode with a smoothness and surety that MINI’s engineers can be justifiably proud.
MINI has taken the unusual step of releasing an official statement in response to the spy shots of its new F56 Cooper S which spread around the interwebz on Tuesday:
Aggressive and relentless papping is something British celebrities have had to learn to live with. Members of the Royal Family, as well as actors, footballers and top models are all familiar with the sensation of being caught in uncompromising situations, and now MINI is the latest victim. Absolutely unaware and without make-up, the youngest member of our family was caught by sensationalist photographers in a highly private moment. The young one was yellow and completely defenceless. We understand the worldwide interest in our family but it is not the British way to send such unfavourable pictures around the globe.
But like a good stiff-upper-lipped Brit, MINI shall not complain, although we would like to officially state that we are not flattered. The published pictures do not reflect our good looks any way. As every celebrity knows, those extra long telephoto lenses have the devastating ability to negatively distort all surfaces, lines and angles. Therefore our advice: next time come closer to the object of desire. If that doesn’t work, don’t worry, shortly you will have the opportunity to experience the MINI up close and personal, and to take pictures from all angles.
We think that statement means one of two things. Either the whole thing is a publicity stunt to attract attention ahead of the official release of pics and information (more likely), or they have been shocked into last minute changes after unfavourable commentary about the look of the F56 (less likely).
More pics of the original spy shots can be viewed at Autoblog.
Autocar brings us a series of images showing the 2014 MINI Cooper S with almost no disguise. It looks as though the two cars captured were on location for a photo shoot and this the first real opportunity we’ve had to see what the third generation MINI will look like.
Restyled headlights appear to have circular LED daytime running lights around the outside. Based on these pics the new front grille is less than successful. Let’s hope it looks better in reality.
In side profile view there’s no obvious differences from the current R56 model, aside from the larger rear wing. The new model does have a longer wheelbase. At the back you can see the centre-mount exhaust tips for the Cooper S are more prominent than they’ve ever been. Actually, from the back the new MINI looks quite good.
We don’t have a lot more to go on inside other than what we learnt in July last year, which is a heavier reliance on BMW parts and the loss of the centrally-mounted speedometer.
The F56 is due for a debut later this year, most likely at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Sales will commence in 2014.
[Source: Autocar]
The faclefited MINI range is now on sale in Australia. It’s a pretty standard refresh with minor cosmetic changes, including front brake ducts, LED rear tail lights. MINI has also thrown a bit more fruit into the standard equipment, such as Bluetooth phone capability across the range. Mechanically, things are pretty much the same as before.
Full details, including pricing, can be found in the MINI Australia press release after the break.
MINI have just given their model range a bit of a spruce up. Part mid-cycle model refresh and part counter-attack to the Audi A1 and its ilk, the new MINIs probably don’t look terribly different to most punters. Lucky, then, that MINI gave us some really big pictures of the bits that have changed.
Notably the front and rear bumper assemblies have been tarted up. So too the lighting visuals, with de rigueur LED rear tail lights now available. Those chrome trimmed scoops on the lower front grille actually feed air to the brakes to aid cooling. That’s a nice touch.
For the more frugal minded folk out there in MINI land you’ll be pleased to know there’s some new diesel engines on the way too.
The market launch of the model updates is not scheduled until mid-September so we can deduce that a) this early release of information shows MINI is keen to remind buyers not to forget them while they’re busy checking our Audi, Alfa Romeo and Fiat dealerships and b) that we may not be seeing these changes in Australia until early 2011.
Full details in the form of MINI’s press release can be read after the jump. Also included is a brief video and a Cooper S image gallery.