Twenty years after the launch of the modern MINI, the latest model generation moves to the next stage of its evolution, with the MINI 3-Door Hatch, the MINI Electric, the MINI 5-Door Hatch and the MINI Convertible getting fresh new design and technology updates, bringing parity across the line-up. The refreshed exterior of the MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI Electric, MINI 5-Door Hatch and MINI Convertible models looks even more modern, with even more attention now focussed on the car’s central design features. The front-view is dominated by a larger radiator grille and its black, hexagonal surround, and the hallmark round MINI headlights. The position lights have been replaced by vertical air inlets to optimise aerodynamics and the central bumper strip is now in body colour, rather than black. The wheel arch has new contours, the side indicators have been redesigned to feature LED technology and at the back of the car, the fog light is now integrated into the rear apron as a narrow LED unit.
An innovative and unique roof-paint finish is offered on the MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI Electric and the MINI 5-Door Hatch. The new Multitone Roof features a colour gradient from San Marino Blue through Pearly Acqua to Jet Black, created with a new painting technique. The three colour shades are applied one after the other in a wet-on-wet painting process, a paint finish called Spray Tech, which is fully integrated into the mechanised production process at MINI Plant Oxford. Slight deviations in the colour pattern occur due to changing environmental conditions during the painting process, so every MINI with a Multitone Roof is completely unique. The inner housing of the round headlight is now offered in black, instead of the previous chrome, and a circular light band takes on the function of the daytime running lights and indicators. Optional Adaptive LED headlights provide cornering light, matrix high-beam and bad weather light functions.
The redesigned interior of the MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI Electric, MINI 5-Door Hatch and MINI Convertible is sophisticated and modern. An 8.8-inch colour touchscreen display and Piano Black high-gloss surface are now standard and the audio control unit and function buttons for hazard warning lights and driver assistance systems are integrated more harmoniously into the circular control unit. Chrome elements have been significantly reduced throughout the interior with the two outer air outlets framed by black panels. The internal air vents have been completely redesigned and are now embedded to be flush with the interior surface. A newly-designed sports leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons will be part of the standard equipment of all model variants of the MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI Electric, MINI 5-Door Hatch and MINI Convertible. A new structure for the keypads optimises operation of the audio and telephone functions, voice control and driver assistance systems. The digital display behind the steering wheel, already offered on the MINI John Cooper Works GP and MINI Electric, is now offered as standard on all new MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI 5-Door Hatch and MINI Convertible models.
There is a choice of two colour schemes for the central instrument and digital cockpit displays, which can be selected in the control system menu. In “Lounge” mode, the content is displayed in a relaxing colour setting ranging between turquoise and petrol blue. If “Sport” mode is active, the screen backgrounds are red and anthracite. They can each be set using a toggle switch located in the upper area of the windscreen frame. Corresponding coloured light is then emitted from the laser-engraved LED ring of the central instrument, from the now indirectly illuminated undersides of the interior surfaces, along the contours of the door panels, at the driver’s and passenger’s door openers, from the base of the roof as well as in the front area of the centre console and in the foot wells. Ambient Light also illuminates the door handles and the entry areas on the driver and passenger sides. In conjunction with the new Ambient Light option, the colour worlds of the displays can also be combined with the interior light control. There is a choice of six interior light colours for each of the two modes “Lounge” and “Sport”.
Powerful and efficient petrol engines with three or four cylinders constitute the drive portfolio for the MINI 3-Door Hatch, the MINI 5-Door Hatch and the MINI Convertible. Their MINI TwinPower Turbo technology is made up of a turbocharging unit integrated into the exhaust manifold, direct petrol injection and variable valve timing. The 3-cylinder engines, each with a capacity of 1.5 litres, are available in two versions, with outputs ranging from 75 kW/102 hp to 100 kW/136 hp. The 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine generates a maximum output of 131 kW/178 hp or 170 kW/231 hp in the two John Cooper Works models. Thanks to consistently optimised emission control technology, which includes a petrol engine particulate filter, all model variants comply with the Euro 6d emission standard. The combustion engines of the MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI 5-Door Hatch and MINI Convertible are combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard.
