Why The New MINI Convertible Doesn’t Have the new Triangular MINI Taillights

[DimON]

As we reported over a year ago, the new MINI Convertible will retain the older light shape eschewing the new, angular design that has been so controversial. Why has MINI done this? As we reported last year, it’s not due to public backlash over the new design. It’s actually a much simpler reason.

First we have to remember that this “new” MINI Convertible is actually a heavily refreshed version of its predecessor the F57 MINI Convertible. Like the F57 and all “new” MINI convertibles before it, this new MINI convertible’s rear design is actually quite a bit different than the hardtop.

The F66 MINI Hardtop with its new, triangular rear lights.

Key to this is the rear tailgate design that allows for easy loading into the boot and even some tailgating options. But that layout presents some challenges for MINI and has made redesigning the taillights very difficult.

Simply put, MINI wasn’t able to easily integrate the new design into the convertible layout due to the tailgate on the convertible. We say easily because it could have been done but the cost associated with that change would have been substantial. According to sources MINI didn’t believe they’d sell enough F67s to recoup the cost of re-engineering the F57’s rear tailgate and decided to retrofit the LED design into the existing shape.

Could MINI Revert Back to This Shape in F66 and J01?

The quick answer is not likely. If the public outcry is loud enough surely MINI can make the investment. While we’ve heard from plenty of you who don’t like the new taillights, we’ve also heard from plenty who do or at the very least don’t mind them. That alone will likely make MINI spend their money elsewhere as they plan the F66 and J01’s mid-cycle update coming in 2-3 years.

The post Why The New MINI Convertible Doesn’t Have the new Triangular MINI Taillights appeared first on MotoringFile.

View the full article