It"s a hat-trick for...
It"s a hat-trick for Land Rover ò€“ as the 4x4 maker has revised three of its biggest sellers!
But there is good news...
But there is good news for diehard MINI traditionalists - the new grille is getting bigger and will echo more closely the look of the original Mini, introduced 45 years ago.
The mag"s main picture of the MINI 2 shows the new look - and it is backed up by the spy shot of the car testing, which reveals the twin lamps glowing behind disguise panels. The MINI 2 will debut late in 2006, and our spies spotted early prototypes undergoing high-speed track testing. Hotly pursued by a disguised version of next year"s facelifted BMW 7-Series, itself not due on sale until the summer, the new model will be bigger, safer and more efficient than ever before.
With the current MINI still enjoying exceptional popularity and a waiting list of several months, BMW has kept the overall shape of its top-selling hatchback relatively unchanged - after all, why mess with a winning formula?
The crucial revamp of the headlights delivers a similar look to Mercedes" characteristic lenses, representing a sharp departure from the round lamps of the outgoing model and the cheeky face of Sir Alec Issigonis"s 1959 Mini. However, the newcomer"s grille will have a more distinctive appearance, just like the original. The designers face a daunting task. The British Motor Cor- poration tried to update the first Mini with the square-edged Clubman in 1969, but the model was never a hit.
In fact, sales were initially so slow that the original sold alongside it, and eventually outlived it. Such a failure is not an option for BMW, as the new MINI will replace the current line-up in its entirety. Because of stringent pedestrian safety regulations, keeping the existing car in production as well would be impossible. Indeed, improving ped-estrian safety will be essential if the new MINI is to get a top mark in Euro NCAP"s crash test safety ratings.
Away from the lights and grille, the bodywork will be tweaked with a remodelled bonnet and wider wheel-arches to make room for larger alloys. Manufacturing costs will be cut by using the simpler bonnet hinge design, replacing the large clamshell system of the existing model. Under the bonnet, the new MINI will showcase even more significant changes. With the exception of the 1.4-litre diesel variant, which is expected to remain on offer, the existing petrol units will be re-placed with all-new powerplants.
Developed in conjunction with Peugeot and Citroen, three new engines will appear in the line-up, offering customers more choice than ever before and bringing an end to BMW"s relationship with Chrysler, which supplies the units for the current MINI.
The new MINI One will come with an 88bhp 1.4-litre engine, the Cooper is tipped to get a high-revving 140bhp 1.6 with variable valve timing, while the flagship Cooper S will be powered by a new 200bhp turbocharged 1.6. Although the range-topper will no longer be supercharged, the "S" badge will remain in place as a nod to the original car"s rally heritage.
Based on a revised platform, the next-generation MINI will be slightly larger than its predecessor, giving designers the opportunity to address the most serious criticism of the existing model - its lack of rear seat space and cramped boot.
And the plans to improve practicality don"t end there. Unlike the existing model, the MINI 2 will be developed to provide the capability for a wide model line-up from the outset.
That means buyers can not only expect the usual three-door hatch, but also a more versatile five-door. The range will then grow to include a MINI variant for everyone. As Auto Express reported in our Top Story back in issue 826, MINI boss Trevor Houghton-Berry confirmed at a conference at the company"s Cowley production plant in Oxfordshire: "Additional models will
be part of the second-generation MINI production plan, and these could include a two-seater cabriolet and retro-style Countryman estate."
As a result, buyers who want wind-in-the-hair motoring are likely to have the choice of the conventional convertible, and a sporty coup탩-cabriolet Speedster, while an off-roader is also proposed, possibly reviving the legendary Moke name. Official launch dates are under wraps, but with the new hatch expected late in 2006, other body-styles will be added gradually from 2007.