JULIAN RENDELL

Posted Date: 4/20/05

Once you get past the new turbocharged engines for BMW’s next-generation Mini due for 2007 (Dec. 27, 2004), the biggest news is the stretched wheelbase as revealed in these recent spy shots.

While the core body style will remain a three-door hatchback (with a two-seat speedster rumored), BMW is working on a longer-wheelbase version that will open the door for a wider range of Minis, including a five-door with more rear legroom and added cargo area. Could a three-door version of this herald the return of the Clubman? We can only hope.


The stretched Mini features a more upright rear hatchback, along with a pair of rear-hinged doors for easier access to the rear seats. The five-door will likely feature a Rolls-Royce electronic locking system that will allow the rear doors to open independently of the front ones—a major convenience improvement over most suicide-door systems.

The interior is new, and features a dashboard design with a centrally mounted speedometer but a much narrower fascia bounded by circular air vents. The dash will be available in wood trim as well as body color.


A new front end features bug-eyed headlights, and while the overall feel of the face is familiar, details change. The nose is a more upright design to satisfy new European pedestrian-protection laws, while the grille is moved above the bumper line, making for a cleaner license plate mount and allowing space below for an enlarged lower air intake.

This is needed because the Cooper and Cooper S models will feature new 1.6-liter turbo fours requiring an intercooler located fairly low in the front fascia of the new Mini. BMW is considering two turbo versions, making 143 hp in the Cooper and 170 hp in the S, and a base non-turbo Cooper model producing 115 hp.

source : autoweek.com

I probably will never buy one, but I love these littke cars

 

ummm... isn' t that kinda defeat the whole point of mini? personally i would just stick with the small ones they have now, that's why they have their value in my eyes

 

I was thining the same thing. Its ALREADY bigger than the origianl. So its a Biggie?

 

exactly mike. the current mini is already A LOT bigger than the original, but that's "ok" coz' the original one was really.... impractical. the current one is pretty darn big and spacious already imho, no need to be even bigger

 

True...this car is indeed larger than the original.....but driving a Mini on anything but a glass-smooth surface is like riding a Brahma bull in a rodeo. The buckboard ride of even the softer, non-S version, IMO, could use a couple more inches in wheelbase for some civility.

 

man you should put that first statement in your sig, i read that one so many times.

imho every car is for their own audience. if you want a smooth ride you don't get the m3, if you want a sporty ride you don't get the ES. the mini has their audience, and people get the s for a reason too. i wouldn't complain about the ride for sure since if i were to get this car, i am not for the ride