MINI recently unveiled the all-new MINI Hatch at an event held at the company’s Oxford facility in the UK. The car boasts of taking the brand forward into a new era, while retaining the original elements that lead to the iconic rise of the brand. Set to take off from where its predecessor left off, the new MINI is distinctly familiar yet optimised in its function, performance and style.
While the car looks similar, it has in fact been built from the ground up as an all-new car. However, with nothing but the iconic MINI as inspiration, the visual changes are subtle, to say the least.
Major changes include the LED lights, a larger front grille and increased in size (98mm longer, 44mm wider and 7mm taller than its predecessor). However, it still manages to be the smallest car in its class. Interior changes include a reworked dash with the instrument cluster now in front of the driver and the large retro circle used as multi-function display. The new car also boasts of more space for occupants as well as luggage.
In terms of engines, the new MINI hatch is set to debut with three state-of-the-art engines that boast of higher performance and better efficiency than the outgoing models. The MINI Cooper hatch will be offered with the new 3-cylinder, 1.5-litre petrol unit that makes 134bhp between 4500-6000 rpm and 220Nm of torque between 1250-4000 rpm. The MINI Cooper D hatch will be offered with a 3-cylinder, 1.5-litre diesel unit that generates 114 bhp @ 4000 rpm and a solid 270Nm of torque @ 1750 rpm.
The top-of-the-line MINI Cooper S hatch gets a 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre petrol engine that pumps out 189 bhp between 4700-6000 rpm and 300Nm of torque (with overboost) between 1250-4750 rpm. All the engines feature TwinTurbo technology and are offered with three transmission choices.
While a 6 speed stick shift is standard, these models can also be bought with a six-speed automatic transmission as well. The third gearbox on offer is a sports-automatic box that offers faster shift times and also comes as a package with paddle shifts on the steering wheel.
Over £750 million will be infused into the three MINI facilities in the UK by 2015 in order to upgrade the facilities to cater to the expected demand of the new MINI while ushering in improved production quality.
MINI is an important brand in the BMW Group’s portfolio and currently one in every six BMWs sold is a MINI. The group is extremely bullish on the prospects of the new car. The new MINI Cooper hatch commenced production on the 18th market by Spring 2014 at a starting price of £15,300.
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