BMW group finally took the wraps off the redesigned Mini Cooper in Paris today. Die-hard fans of the old “new” Mini need not worry, however, as the newly redesigned car is hard to tell from the current edition. Yes, every panel is new, and the car is a 2.4 inches longer overall, but we’re having a hard time picking differences out - even with an old “new” Mini convertible sitting a dozen feet away.
Mini went to great pains to keep the styling deviations intentionally minute because, as BMW/Mini Director of Sales and Marketing Dr.Michael Ganal said in the reveal ceremony, "A Mini is supposed to look the way it looks." Who can argue with that?
The interior is where we see the most noticeable differences, but thankfully the irreverent design theme remains intact, albeit with a little more function added to the fun. A reworked, and slimmer center stack is less hard on the knees, thanks mainly to an even-larger central speedo that now houses the radio controls, making room for everything below to move up and spread apart. A telescoping wheel improves the driving position. And a second set of those fan favorites, the toggle switches, sits just above the rear view mirror.
US production details such as the price and EPA fuel economy figures were not available at the show. Stay tuned. We'll be driving production models of this car in a few days. If it goes as well as it shows, you'll be the first to know.
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Ah why change winning formula, although they claim every panel is new, there is no apparent difference between "old" and "new" MINI....still maybe too cute for some and too bugeyed for others...it will sell strongly though.
About time they make it a little bigger. No offense to MINI owners but the older model is just too small and crampy inside. My friends owns one but it just not even practical. it has little trunk space and if you travel with companion to Las Vegas, you can only fit one small luggage. This new one hopefully lives up to its promise not that I will buy one. They should fit it with hybrid...better economy to an already economical car can catch more buyers.
Buying a car called a "mini" one should expect some small truck space, and tight room. But overall sitting in the front seat is more comfortable than most cars I've been in. The back seat is really for kids and maybe a quick trip to the drug store with some friends. The engine is plenty fast for the little car, mini in size but big at heart. The new Mini should do just fine; refinement in the interior is great, although the exterior lost some appearance points.