It doesn't look much different overall, eventhough its an entirely new car with all-new engines and etc. The new car is faster, wider, and longer, but to the surprise of many it's also lighter.

http://motoringfile.com/2006/08/14/2...ally-revealed/

 

Err... that's different? I honestly would have seen an 07 on the street in the next few months and had no clue it had been redesigned if it weren't for this thread.

 

Exterior looks just about the same. Interior looks like it was designed for little kids.

 

x2

I guess that is one answer to the question of, what do you do when it comes time to redesign a "retro" car (like the Mustang, Beetle, Mini, etc.). One solution could be to redesign it, but make it almost indistinguishable from the current car.

 

I agree.

Most people on the street won't even know there's a difference.

 

reminds me of the changes made to update the New Beetle. I saw a one that had been updated on the road and asked everybody else in the car if they noticed anything different about it. None did.

 

True.

The Beetle was only a refresh since most all the body panels were the same as before except for a new front and rear facia and a new engine option.

The 07 MINI is all new with all new body panels, all new interior, all new engines, and I believe the chassis has also been slightly changed as well.

 

This is exactly the reason I fear that retro-themed styling can totally pigeon hole a vehicle from a design change standpoint.

 

It's good for the resale value of existing (retro-styled) cars which is a good thing, but your point about limiting future designs is a valid one.

I think BMW should come out with an additional model in a few years with a totally different look to sell alongside the Cooper. This way they can offer a new styling theme without pissing off those who like the traditional and iconic look and shape of the Cooper.

 

Yeah, then, in 20 years, they can re-style it like the 2007 and it'll be retro!

 

If you look back @ 10,000+ of years of recent human history you would find that many cultural items are often duplicated and/or reproduced.

If cultures of the past would duplicate and/or reproduce items (cultural artifacts) of their past for new generations of people, why would we think we would be any different. Cars are more then just transportation for us, but a significant representation of western culture and 'modern' life.

So if the 2007 MINI rides out the current design theme and by 2012 people are burned-out on its shape and sales take a significant dive then it could be possible its could go into hiatus for 20+ years (or more), only to brought back modified to meet the needs and passions of the people at that time.

Some functional and aesthetical designs captivate peoples imaginations while other don't and its those good designs that keep coming back time-and-time-again.

 

Should bring in some new buyers who didnt like the old one.
Oh wait, it looks exactly the same

 

Unfortunately, the Mini is no more retro themed than the 911 or Corvette (both totally pigeon holed from a design change standpoint). Mini has even gone as far to say that the car will be similar to those two cars in that it will always look like a Mini.

BTW, someone explain to me how the Mini is retro. I mean, they made the original one until what, 1 or 2 years before the new one was released in 2003? So does that make it retro to the car of two years before?

 

It's like nothing I've ever seen!

 

the mini was quit like back in the 70s

oh wow nevermind you are right but it was the same way with the "new beetle"