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 The position lights have been replaced by vertical air inlets to optimise aerodynamics and the central bumper strip is now in body colour, rather than black.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.
Adding to an expansive colour pallet, customers can now choose from three additional exterior body colours. Rooftop Grey is now available on all models, with customers also now able to choose Island Blue (previously only available on MINI Countryman) and the MINI Convertible gets an exclusive colour option with Zesty Yellow.
As part of the Piano Black Exterior option, the door handles, side scuttles, fuel cap, MINI logo on the bonnet and luggage compartment lid and model lettering and tailpipes of the exhaust system are now finished in high-gloss black, in addition to the surrounds of the headlights, radiator grille and rear lights.
Customers can also choose from five new wheels across all models, with Tentacle Spoke black design, Scissor Spoke (previously available on MINI Sidewalk Convertible only) and Pedal Spoke now being offered in 17-inch wheels. Pulse Spoke design and John Cooper Works wheels in Circuit Spoke black design are now offered in 18-inch options.
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 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. The digital display in black panel design has a 5-inch diameter and shows key driving information, check-control messages and status displays of the driver assistance systems. In the MINI Electric, it also serves as a charging status indicator while connected to the power grid.
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.
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”. 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.
A new version of Adaptive Suspension, available for the first time on MINI, redefines the brand’s hallmark go-kart feeling. It achieves a noticeably optimised balance between sportiness and ride comfort through the use of continuous frequency-selective damping. An additional valve acting on the traction side takes over the task of smoothing out sudden pressure peaks within the damper. The damper force is adjusted within 50 to 100 milliseconds and depending on the driving situation and road conditions, the damping forces can be reduced by up to 50 percent.
An electric parking brake comes as standard on the MINI Electric and is also now available in the other model variants, in conjunction with an automatic transmission, the optional Driving Assistant and at least 17-inch light-alloy wheels.
The MINI Classic, Sport & Exclusive trim packages have also been extended, offering customers a wider choice of exterior body colours, safety features and upholstery. Sport models now offer Intelligent Adaptive Suspension as standard, Piano Black Exterior, Chilli Red body colour, additional John Cooper Works badging and Dinamica Leather upholstery. Rear Park Distance Control is also included as standard.
Customers choosing the Exclusive trim, will now benefit from Enigmatic Black exterior colour, Anthracite Headlining, Rear Park Distance Control and Driving Modes. The MINI Yours Union Jack Soft-top roof on the MINI Convertible is standard.
A handful of individual options have been added to the line-up for the MINI Electric, allowing customers to further personalise their choice of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3. For customers selecting Level 2, they can now add Roof Rails, Active Cruise Controller and Sun Protection Glass, as well as the new Piano Black Exterior. Those opting for Level 3 also have the option of adding Satellite Grey Leather upholstery.
Alongside the Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 models offered on the MINI Electric, an exclusive Electric Collection model is introduced, limited to just 300 customers in the UK. The Electric Collection is a fixed specification model and the only way to access new exterior paint choices on a MINI Electric. Based on the Level 3 model, it can be specified in either Island Blue or Rooftop Grey and comes with Multitone Roof, black mirror caps, Piano Black Exterior and 17-inch Electric Collection Spoke wheels, alongside model-exclusive exterior graphics.
In addition to the high standard specification of Level 3, the Electric Collection model includes unique door entry strips and steering wheel badging, Aluminium Interior trim and a zero-cost option to add a Panoramic Glass Sunroof.
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.
