Tag: F56

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MINI

MINI releases all-new engine details for F56 range

MINI F56 2.0 litre 4 cylinder engine (petrol)

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.

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A better look inside the new MINI

MINI F56 interior

This is probably the best look inside the new MINI you’re going to get until official pics are released. It’s over a year since we got our first peek inside the F56.

Unsurprisingly these photos show a more complete interior, and we can see already that buyers will need to order the Visual Boost package or satellite navigation in order to get the full size screen in the centre of the dash where the speedometer should be. If not the result is U-G-L-Y! Although the ham-fisted radio set up does complement the clichéd and poorly executed carbon fibre patter on the dash inserts.

There are still expected MINI styling cues, there’s no mistaking it for anything else. Yet, the gap between what you expect to see in MINI and a BMW is beginning to close. Fair enough, given the F56 will draw heavily on components to be used in the front-wheel drive BMW 1 Series. And they will both be built on the UKL1 platform.

It won’t be the last time we say this, but after doing such an excellent job of introducing the MINI brand to the 21st century we have grave fears BMW is about to cock it all up.

[Source: CarNewsChina]

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All-new MINI to be launched on 18 November

MINI F56 under wraps

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.

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MINI Vision: Just make it look like this!

MINI Vision

Is it too late to throw the F56 out and start again? Because these MINI Vision images, based on a virtual 3D hologram, look a lot better than what we’re expecting from the imminent arrival of the third-generation MINI.

In their official media release MINI says the Vision, “previews a sampling of visionary design and innovative ideas,” and that it, “showcases various elements of future MINI design.”

Indeed, the timing of this release is slightly odd given the debut of the F56 is only a few months away. Perhaps some of the elements you see here will translate to the forthcoming production model. Alas, we’ve probably seen too much in recent spy shots to expect that this could actually be a genuine preview of the next-gen MINI.

MINI is well known for its mastery of publicity, but it would seem beyond all reasonable scope to think the car seen in recent spy pics is a hoax and that this is indeed the real deal.

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F56 MINI Cooper S revealed in unofficial renders

F56 MINI Cooper S rendering

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]

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You’ll get your official look at the F56 MINI in LA

MINI F56 prototype

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.

[Source: TMR | Pic: Autocar]

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MINI

MINI officially responds to F56 spy pics

2014 MINI F56 prototype

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.

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MINI

F56 MINI spied ahead of late year debut

MINI F56 prototype

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]

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2014 MINI Cooper S spied in Germany

MINI F56 prototype

The next-generation MINI is getting closer to its late-2013 launch and heavily disguised Cooper S (above) and Cooper (below) models have been spied in Germany. These are likely to be pre-production models, which started rolling down the line in April.

Longer and wider than the current R56 MINI, the new model will be the first to have a conventional instrument cluster; forever consigning the large centrally-mounted speedometer to the history books.

The Cooper S and JCW models will still use a turbocharged 1.6 litre engine, but lower-spec F56 MINIs will use three cylinder units developed by BMW.

MINI is continuing its global march from niche player to relative volume seller with word that a production facility in China is now on the cards. The Shenyang Plant is expected to commence production in 2015 and is slated to build MINIs and front-wheel drive BMWs destined for Asian markets.

At the moment Countrymans are built by Magna Styer in Austria and NedCar in the Netherlands is signed up to build F56 MINIs as well.

We rather liked it when all MINIs came from Oxford and they had stupidly sized speedos in the middle of the dash and were genuinely different to their competition. Now we’re alert, and maybe even alarmed, at the way BMW is slowly stripping away some of the character traits that made a MINI a MINI.

Please, BMW, don’t dilute the MINI brand down so much that it becomes just another BMW product.

[Source: WCF & Autocar]

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Pre-production MINI F56 models ready to roll

MINI Plant Oxford turns 100

BMW’s third-generation MINI, codenamed F56, is about to enter pre-production phase with ‘kite-flyer’ models set to roll off the Plant Oxford production line this week.

As you might expect, mixing two different generations of MINI on the production line presents a few challenges. Although that trend will continue for around two more years while the second-gen R56 models slowly wither away as up to 10 new F56-based models come on line.

The F56 is due to hit showrooms later this year and to cater for the expected increased demand a second production facility, NedCar in the Netherlands, will ramp up in 2014. NedCar will join Magna Steyr’s Austrian plant, which currently builds the Countryman and Paceman, as the only facilities outside of England to build MINIs.

In time, though, MINI is expected to concentrate production at Oxford and NedCar, with Magna expected to build another BMW branded model(s) once the current-gen Countryman platform reaches the end of its product cycle.

Given the F56 will be share many components with the front-wheel drive BMW 1 Series, including the UKL1 platform, don’t be surprised if that’s what Magna finds to fill the void.

For a detailed discussion on the interior of the F56, which is expected to lose its large centrally-mounted speedo dial, head over to MINI specialist website MotoringFile.

[Source: Autocar]

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MINI

F56 MINI to spawn 10 individual models

MINI F56 rendering

The third generation MINI (model code F56) will spawn 10 individual models according to Autocar. The bread and butter hatch will kick off proceedings for the versatile UKL1 platform in 2013.

Joining the range, probably in 2014 or 2015, will be the Traveller (model name not confirmed). Known internally as the ‘Spacebox’, it will be a sort of SUV thingy with practicality its main aim. A bit larger than the Clubman and possibly featuring similar barn-style rear doors it will count flexible storage options among its many tricks.

A concept model paving the future path for the Traveller is expected in the not too distant future. We’re not sure if that means Frankfurt, but don’t start holding your breath, just in case.

[Source: Autocar & MotoringFile]