The new Mini was officially unveiled in London last night ushering in a host of new design elements and drivetrain features.
The exterior design is vastly different than before and incorporates such features as an hexagonal radiator grille, headlamps and rear light clusters with wide chrome surround, a more angled bonnet and windscreen and circular daytime running lights surrounding the headlights. Full-LED headlamps will be offered as an option.
The new car’s cabin carries over a number of aesthetic cues from that of the outgoing model with circular facia elements in abundance. The most obvious changes stem from addressing some of the previous car’s ergonomic quirks. The centre of the facia is no longer occupied by a large speedometer and the windows get the conventional buttons on the doors instead of the previous car’s retro flip switches on the centre console.
New Mini rides on BMW’s UKL1 platform, which is set to underpin a number of BMW’s upcoming compact FWD models. This vehicle has grown longer by 98 mm, wider by 44 mm, taller by 7 mm and has a wheelbase that’s 28 mm longer than that of its predecessor. The company claims that overall interior space has increased and boot space has grown from 184 to 211 dm3.
The company has used the launch of the new Mini to introduce a range of new engines with TwinPower (turbocharging and direct fuel injection) technology. The standard Cooper comes fitted with a 100 kW 3-cylinder petrol engine, while the Cooper S is powered by a 141 kW 4-cylinder unit and the Cooper D with a 3-cylinder diesel that pushes out 85 kW and a fuel consumption figure of around 3,6 litres/100 km. The default transmission is a six-speed manual with an auto ‘box or a sports auto ‘box with paddle shifters offered on certain models as an option.
To retain, and hopefully improve upon, that fun go-kart-like handing for which the Mini has always been loved, the company has revised the existing suspension set-up to compensate for the new car’s increased power and body rigidity, as well as its lower kerb weight. The new suspension tech includes single-joint spring strut axle with aluminium swivel bearing and axle supports and a new multilink rear axle. Also helping with handling and dynamics is the electromechanical power steering with Servotronic as standard and dynamic stability control with traction control and electronic differential lock control. There’s also the option of an adaptive damper control system with two settings – sport and comfort.
There is a range of driver assistance systems available as options on the new Mini. This includes head-up display, driving assistant including camera-based active cruise control, collision and pedestrian warning with initial brake function, high-beam assistant and road sign detection, parking assistant and a rear view camera.
The new Mini will arrive in SA early in 2014.
