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.
2 replies on “2014 MINI Cooper S spied in Germany”
I quite agree. The speedo was great and BMW are starting to water down the mini brand which is a huge mistake IMO. I looked at the mini’s supposed closest competitor (the Audi A1) and it was just a sea of bland compared to the Mini.
I just hope with this next gen they fix the ratlle and squeak of the old one. I also had numerous engine problems with our cooper s, including a knock in the engine the dealer attempted to fob off on Australia’s poor peterol, what a laugh.
Well said for the first time I’m questioning if my next car will still be a MINI. Running a R56 Cooper and love it but I also love it harks back to the MINI I grew up with. I have to say I’m not a fan of BMW cars I find them Dull and if MINI simply becomes another One series then I’ll move on as will most of the original owners. I’d think really carefully BMW, give us new tech and build a drivers car but keep it Retro as the way it should. Futuristic is just another way of saying Modern BMW dullness. At least the frightening over hang went, although if I don’t like that Dash I will not buy the F series MINI. Build quality was questionable even on the R56 but better than the R50/R53’s. What do the average MINI fan want well the looks of the early R50/53 bundled with the Engine out the R56…….That Dash if right on the F56 then you should really be ashamed. Turning the car into another Euro Box….and in years down the line question where did all the repeat buyers go!!!!