Changes Coming to MINI

As reported in various rumours on MINI2 and MotoringFile over the past months, and now getting confirmed everywhere, especially in this MINI2 news article, there are lots of changes coming to MINI for the ’05 model year (which should affect MINIs delivered to USA sometime in September) …
Indi Blue is being dropped (I like my Indi Blue, but the new blue(s) look good too);
Reversing lights move to the main tail light cluster, and the (optional) rear fog light moves into the bumper (I think it looks worse there than the white reversing light on my car);
Different exterior chrome designs (look quite nice);
A larger rear view mirror (it might help with rear view – which I have no problem with – but it will also increase the forward view blind spot which is not a good thing);
Additional interior storage (good – though there are aftermarket solutions readily available);
Body coloured interior trim option on the MCS (very nice; it would be nice if the pieces could be retrofitted to older cars but I don’t think that will be possible due to the change to the passenger airbag position);
Small horsepower increase on the MCS (takes it to 170hp);
Unconfirmed suspicions of losing the 6 speed gearbox on the MCS (I think this must be an error in the reporting).
Overall I think change is good. Already (as discussed in my recent MC40 thoughts) there are very few exactly identical MINIs – now with these changes there will be a whole new batch of subtle differences for MINI fanatics to spot. I look forward to MINIsOnTop 2005 when there should be a good gathering of different looks of MINI …