Next gen model MINI gets a new nose

27th January 2021

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 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."

The refreshed exterior of the MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI Electric, MINI 5-Door Hatch 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 The position lights have been replaced by vertical air inlets to optimise aerodynamics and the central bumper strip is now in body colour, rather than black.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".

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.

The redesigned interior of the MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI Electric, MINI 5-Door Hatch 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. 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. 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.

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. 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 are combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard.

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