2007 MINI vs 2006 MINI

The 2007 MINI is 6cm longer than the 2006, and all that extra length appears to be at the front of the car, which detracts from the MINI's wheel-at-each-corner styling theme.

It's most noticeable in profile photos. The front overhang has grown. On the 2006 MINI the bonnet quickly drops away in front of the front wheels. But on the 2007 MINI the bonnet juts forward in typical nose heavy FWD style. And the headlights now have a Marty Feldman appearance.

BMW say the change was necessary to meet European pedestrian impact rules. But I think the longer nose is the result of the new Peugeot engine which has the exhaust manifold at the front of the engine, versus the old Tritec engine which has the inlet at the front and the exhaust at the back, just like the original 1959 Mini.

Categories:Cars