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, electric, 5-door hatch and the Convertible getting fresh new design and technology updates, writes Trish Whelan.
The refreshed exterior of these cars now gets a more modern look with attention focussed on the car’s central design features. The front-view is dominated by a larger radiator grille and the hallmark round Mini headlights. The position lights have been replaced by vertical air inlets to aid aerodynamics and the central bumper strip is now in body colour rather than black.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, the fog light is now integrated into the rear apron as a narrow LED unit.
Three new exterior paint finishes and five new light-alloy wheels feature with the Convertible getting an exclusive Zesty Yellow colour while a unique roof paint finish is offered on the 3-door hatch, electric and 5-door hatch.
Interiors feature an 8-inch colour touchscreen display and Piano Black high-gloss surface are now standard. The audio control unit and some function buttons including driver assistance systems are integrated more harmoniously into the circular control unit. A newly-designed sports leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons will also be part of standard equipment of all model variants of these cars as is the digital display from the John Cooper Works GP and Mini Electric.
Customers can choose two colour schemes for the central instrument and digital cockpit displays - Lounge and Sport. An electric parking brake is now available in all the model variants, in conjunction with an automatic transmission.
With Minis famous for that go-kart feeling, a new version of Adaptive Suspension, available for the first time on a Mini, achieves an optimised balance between sportiness and rid comfort.
Petrol engines with three or four cylinders are offered. The 1.5 3-cylinder engines come with outputs ranging from 102hp to 136hp while the 2.0 4-cylinder unit gets 178hp-231hp in the two John Cooper Works models.
All new models are available to order now with customer deliveries this Spring.
