Mini have today announced the all new Mini, named…the Mini Hatch. Its priced from £15,300 OTR a 2.61% increase over the outgoing model.
Mini should really start watching what they feed these new models as the latest iteration has grown in length width and height! The Mini Hatch is 98mm longer, 44mm wider and 7mm taller than its predecessor. The wheelbase has been extended by 28mm, track width has also been enlarged at the front by 42mm and at the rear by 34mm.
Due to the new larger dimensions passengers get more shoulder space and larger footwells, the boot has also been increased by 30% to 211 litres.
You still get that central speedo which can be optioned with an 8.8″ screen. Full LED headlamps can be specced to go with the all LED rear lights.
An optional extra on the new MINI Hatch is a rotary switch at the base of the gearstick, drivers can swap from the default MID mode to either SPORT or GREEN. THis will change the performance setup of the car, it will also enable a coasting mode that decouples the drivetrain when you let off the throttle.
Three new engine are available at launch, all feature a new TwinPower Turbo setup. This couples variable valve timing with direct injection and a twin scroll turbo charger. The Cooper and Cooper D get a three cylinder design, whilst the Cooper S moves away from its current 1.6 THP to a 2.0 litre unit.
| Engine | Cooper | Cooper D | Cooper S | |
| No. of cylinders/valves | in-line / 3 / 4 | in-line / 3 / 4 | in-line / 4 / 4 | |
| Capacity | cc | 1499 | 1496 | 1998 |
| Output | bhp | 134 | 114 | 189 |
| at engine speed | rpm | 4500 – 6000 | 4000 | 4700 – 6000 |
| Torque (overboost) | Nm | 220 (230) | 270 | 280 (300) |
| at engine speed | rpm | 1250 – 4000 | 1750 | 1250 – 4750 |
MINI have paired the new engines with three new gearboxes. A 6 speed manual is standard and rev matches on downshifts (very nice!) and a 6 speed auto ‘box that will be available on all engines with Start/Stop built in.
When used in conjunction with the MINI Navigation System, the 6 speed auto is able to take account of the selected route profile and control gear shifts. Based on navigation data, the appropriate drive position is selected to match the road ahead, preventing unnecessary upshifts.
The third gearbox is a 6 speed Sports Automatic, it has shorter gear change times, rev matching on downshifts and has paddles on the steering wheel for manual changing.
To help shave weight new lighter forged alloys are used on the Cooper D – 15 inchers – whilst the Cooper S is fitted with puny 16″ jobbies as standard, luckily you can go up to 18″ if you want.
Keyless Go is standard across the MINI range, switches have also been relocated – finally electric windows integrated into the door trim!
Standard Kit Includes:
- Electrically adjustable exterior mirrors
- Air-conditioning
- Door sill cover strips with a model-specific inscription
- Front fog lamps
- Onboard computer
- MINI Radio including aux-in
- USB interface
- Bluetooth
Optional Extras:
- Two-zone automatic air-conditioning
- Heated front seats
- Panoramic glass roof
- Visibility package:
- Windscreen heating
- Rain sensor
- Automatic light control
- Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system
- Sports leather steering wheel
- Park Distance Control
- Electrically heated and folding exterior mirrors
- Anti-dazzle Interior and exterior mirrors
| Pricing | MINI Cooper | MINI Cooper D | MINI Cooper S | |
| OTR cost | £15,300 | £16,450 | £18,650 |
The new Mini Hatch will be built in Britain at the Oxford Plant, its launch will be in Spring 2014.
