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.
“With the current model revision, the MINI has reached a level of maturity that makes it more exceptional in the small car segment with regard to design, product substance and premium quality, than ever before,” says Bernd Körber, Head of the MINI brand. “The MINI is the original that stands out from the crowd and it continues to reinvent itself again and again.”
New exterior look
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 The position lights have been replaced by vertical air inlets to optimise aerodynamics and the central bumper strip is now in body colour, rather than black.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.
“The new MINI design is more modern – it’s fresher, clearer,” says Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design. “All innovations follow a common mission: Purify MINI! Less complexity, more individuality”.
Three new exterior paint finishes, five new light-alloy wheels
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.
Each roof is unique: The Multitone Roof
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 new Multitone Roof for the MINI is not only the most expressive form of contrast paint to date, it also takes the brand’s hallmark ex-works customisation options to a new level,” says Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design. “And because every roof looks a little bit different and is so unique, it pays to look more closely than ever.”
Dark headlights, brightly illuminated roads
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. When turning, a separate light beam automatically falls on the lane where the driver is heading and the matrix function provides four segments that can activate and deactivate independently to avoid dazzling other road users. When visibility is limited, the bad weather light acts as a dimmed cornering light to better illuminate the road.
Interior: Clear design, high-quality finish
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.
Sports leather steering wheel and digital cockpit as standard
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.
Choice of display colours and mood lighting: The new “Lounge” and “Sport” modes
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.
Go-kart feeling redefined: Adaptive suspension optimising the balance between sportiness and comfort
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.
Staying on course at all times: Lane departure warning and the new Active Cruise Control
The optional Driver Assistance Pack ensures maximum comfort and safety. The new lane departure warnings help the driver stay safely on their chosen course with the system registering markings at the edge of the lane and alerting the driver via steering wheel vibration if there is a risk of deviation.
This pack also includes Active Cruise Control, which now also offers a Stop & Go function in conjunction with an automatic transmission. It automatically maintains the desired speed and the distance to vehicles ahead in four stages. The system uses data registered by the front camera, installed in the upper part of the windscreen frame, to adjust speed and distance according to the situation.
Classic, Sport and Exclusive get upgraded
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.
Electric Collection
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.
New operating system with modern graphics display
The operating system of the MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI Electric, MINI 5-Door Hatch and MINI Convertible is now more advanced than ever before thanks to a new graphics display and further developed options for selecting and controlling the vehicle functions, audio system, hands-free telephone system, navigation and apps.
The screen display with symbols and text on new colour backgrounds has a modern look and menu items are now displayed as “live widgets” to be called up by swiping the touchscreen. Advanced connectivity features, audio and navigation features are available in optional packs, which have also been extended.
Navigation Pack offers customers a Navigation system, Apple Car Play and Real Time Track Information (RTTI) whilst Navigation Plus now also includes Head-up Display and Wireless Charging and Concierge Services. Comfort Pack now includes Comfort Access alongside Automatic Air-Con, Seat Heating, Storage Pack and Front Armrest.
Always connected to your MINI: The new MINI App
The new MINI App offers an advanced user experience that is completely oriented towards a digital lifestyle, allowing drivers to contact their MINI at any time, in order to call up information on the car’s status. Fuel levels or charge status can be seen quickly and you can send navigation destinations directly from your smartphone to the car.
Engines with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology and Euro 6d emission standard
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.
