from motoringfile.com
MotoringFile reader Stefan managed to take a few pics of what appears to be the Cooper S version of the new R55 (aka the Traveler) during his honeymoon in Africa. While the test mule is heavily camouflaged, there is still a lot to take in for those wanting to know more about the upcoming long wheelbase MINI.
In the above image we can clearly see the functioning hood scoop of the 170bhp turbocharged engine. Also seen are the turn signals integrated into the headlights that we mentioned awhile back. However due to MINI?s excellent job of hiding the true front of the car via pounds of tacked on plastic, there?s little of the final design evident.
That said we can see the more tear-dropped shaped rearview mirrors, the R55 specific roof design and the new plastic lower side moldings. And for those who are really into the details, the new wiper design is also subtly visable.
One of the biggest additions to the R55 will be the passenger suicide rear door that you can clearly see here taped up. In fact it looks like the engineers have used the door once or twice as it would seem the tape is a bit worn.
In this next photo (above) we can get a good feel of the overall length of the R55 and the position of the rear suicide door. However it?s worth noting that the information we?ve over the last few months about this topic indicates the R55 will have only one suicide door (on the passenger side) with nothing on the driver side. Could MINI have simply copied the taped outline on the passenger side to throw us off or could the R55 actually feature two suicide doors? Also seen in the above photo (through the rear windows) is a taped central portion of the rear boot. This is actually where the rear ?barn doors? should open on the final car.
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