Here’s the latest pair of spyshots of the next-generation MINI, courtesy of the unlikeliest source – a Reddit user. One shows the car in full camo – nothing much to note there other than the sleeker, less bulbous nose compared to the Clubman parked next to it – while the other exposes the new car’s dashboard.
Shock, horror! The centre binnacle layout that’s long been the signature element of a MINI interior has now been bastardised. Instead of having a comically large speedometer dominate the entire fascia, the circular face now houses the radio display and controls. The speedo now sits behind the wheel, in its own freestanding pod.
The current MINI in its top spec form already has a round colour screen integrated into the centre console, but at least there’s still a speedometer ring around it. Completely ditching the centre speedo concept while sneakily retaining the circular face for brand familiarity, has BMW’s MINI modernisation gone too far?
Ignore the BMW steering in the picture, that’ll be swapped with a MINI three-spoker closer to production. Following the updated Countryman and Paceman, the window switches have been moved away from the lower dashboard to the door panels, a conformist move that would push MINI fanatics even closer to the edge.
What about you? Like the changes or is it a step too far from MINI ideals?
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
“bastardized” is perhaps the most right-est word to use.
Mini is a waste of money in Malaysia. A 2012 320d or 320i F30 in the 2nd hand market cost about Rm190,000. Might as well buy a BM as BM’s lose a lot in the first year.
dude come on, the F30 and the MINI are two totally different cars appealing to two totally different demograpics
I have neither the F30 or the MINI but you can’t just generalize things like that!
Good move MINI! Now, please stop with all the plastics already…
I have no idea which is an april fools joke and what is not now.
OMG … lord of the RING … on the dashboard!
Here come a new challenger (for Almera).
happy apple fool !
no more toying with mini. looks serious.
rich man toy…..i prefer Volkswagen Golf over this
good thing they ditched the old speedo, i mean on an austin mini to save costs on changing to left hand drive, its understandable. but on a new car who glances at the center console to check your speed, its idiotic.
Oh well, that’s remind me of vios
I agree. I find it distracting that I need to look right to see how fast I’m going (I was driving a left-hand drive MINI then)
But then again, the old speedo position is good for backseat drivers to control your speed!
Long live the R56..
What a stupid looking smiley face in the middle…
BMW incredible cost cutting measures that doesn’t seem to know any limits have bastardised MINI… even those nice retro round air cond vents are gone now, replaced with regular vents that probably have a cheaper mechanism.
lol Preve Camo
whats the thing popping out at the back of the mini ? anyone notice that?