2013 Audi A3

2013 MINI Cooper Spy Shots

 
12 30,463 views May 9, 2012
Follow Viknesh

2013 MINI Cooper spy shots

HI-RES GALLERY: 2013 MINI Cooper spy shots

MINI is working on a whole new range of models, each based off a brand new front-wheel drive platform being developed together with parent company BMW, which will use it for its own range of entry-level hatchbacks due in the coming years.

We’ve reported several times before on the new front-wheel drive BMWs but these latest images reveal some never-before-seen details for the new MINI Cooper, which is expected to be revealed later this year before hitting showrooms early next as a 2013 model.

The images reveal a more aggressive look for the car, with a more sharply steeped A-pillar than the current model and a slightly wider front.

The front grille also appears to be slightly wider and looks to be sitting lower, while the body appears to feature a more fluid design. An earlier image captured the upcoming MINI next to the current-generation car, highlighting the differences (and the similarities) in their design.

A closer look at the interior through the window in one of the newer shots also gives an idea of what to expect inside, confirming that the latest MINI series will maintain the round-gauged retro look (previous prototypes had a makeshift BMW 1-Series interior).

2013 MINI Cooper spy shots

2013 MINI Cooper spy shots

Enlarge Photo
Another big change will be coming in the form of a new three-cylinder engine family for the 2013 MINI Cooper. This family of modular gasoline and diesel engines will eventually go into some 1.5 million BMW and MINI models annually and will feature BMW’s latest ‘TwinPower Turbo’ technology.

TwinPower Turbo technology features a twin-scroll turbocharging system, direct fuel injection and solenoid injectors, the latter being the latest innovation for BMW’s VALVETRONIC variable valve control system. The resulting effect is a small engine--and small engine fuel economy--but with big engine performance.

Stay tuned for more information on the 2013 MINI Cooper as development progresses.



Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (12)

  1. By Blainestang Posted: 6/1/2011 6:26am PDT

    If that's the 2013 MINI Cooper (Hardtop), then why does it seem to have a clubdoor? The 3rd Gen MINI may have 5-lug wheels, too, but they're certainly reminiscent of the R60 platform. Is it possible it's a Clubman based on the 3rd Gen Hardtop or the R60? Maybe the production R60-based Paceman?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. viknesh avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran Posted: 6/1/2011 6:50am PDT

    @Blainestang,
    That third door you see isn't real. Automakers often dress up their prototypes to fool or confuse onlookers. It also isn't a production Paceman. This is a prototype, which means the shape you see here will be shared with the final car. If it were a test-mule for the Paceman, we wouldn't see finer details like the new interior.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. By Blainestang Posted: 6/1/2011 7:16am PDT

    @Viknesh,
    Thanks for the reply. It's hard to tell if there's actually a seam at the rear of the "clubdoor" in the pictures (hence me saying it "seems" to have one), which I guess is the point! So, thanks for the info. Without the clubdoor, it's obviously not a Clubman or Paceman. Not sure how I feel about the interior. I think the interior was part of the MINIs character, though it could stand to be significantly reworked and toned down from the R56. The 5-lug wheels and 3-cylinder engines will be welcome changes, IMO.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. By  gazzed Posted: 6/1/2011 4:07pm PDT

    The interior shots seem to reveal the next Mini will now follow your typical instrument binnacle set-up ( gauges in front of driver.. me thinks it could and might get cues from any of the lower end BMW cars. )
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. By Bruce Posted: 6/1/2011 6:48pm PDT

    You did not look closely at your own photo. I see speed and tacho on front of the driver and air vents in the center of the dash! Appears to me that the center dial may be gone?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  6. By hunk Posted: 6/1/2011 11:29pm PDT

    This is the 2013 mini cooper!? I'm hating the front lights, there not cute at all! They look like something that would be on a car an old man would drive.. The interior looks really nice though, but I'll stick to the older models.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  7. viknesh avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran Posted: 6/2/2011 12:55am PDT

    @hunk,
    The front lights are just test units and will be replaced before production. This is a very early prototype, only the body shape will remain the same.
    @Bruce,
    We said there was a "dual gauge instrument panel located behind the steering wheel and air conditioner vents in the center of the dash."
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  8. By Spy Posted: 6/2/2011 5:16am PDT

    Hello folks,
    The exterior clearly is the next generation Mini.
    But..
    The interior, with its dashboard, dual gauges, conventional steering wheel and ventilation ducts is in each aspect not Mini but BMW.
    This leads me to the conclusion for what we see.
    This is a completely new BMW model as mule in the dress of the next generation Mini!
    This also explains why that mini is wearing BMW black/white camoflage, instead of the Mini colour scheme yellow/black.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  9. By hunk Posted: 6/3/2011 8:18pm PDT

    @Mr. Vijayenthiran
    Thanks, I got scared for a second that mini would change it's traditional cute headlightes for those weird ones.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  10. By MrMini Posted: 6/7/2011 11:36am PDT

    WTF? Longer and wider? If i want to drive a mini i'll have to buy Fiat or Toyota :(
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  11. fb_721156672 avatar Matthew Davis Posted: 1/25/2012 5:31am PST

    I'm not sure how I feel about the Mini getting a conventional dash. I've always liked the unique dash, it's part of what makes it a Mini.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  12. fb_100000329934942 avatar Jungho Lee Posted: 2/1/2012 7:22pm PST

    Will BMW reveal 3rd mini cooper in late 2012 or late 2013??
    Now i'm considering to buy new mini. If they reveal the new mini this year i don't want to feel like driving old car after just 1 year.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.