Next Generation Mini Revealed

Press Release

Page 1: Short Version
Page 2: Exterior Design
Page 3: Interior Design
Page 4: Power Units
Page 5: Transmission/Chassis
Page 6: Safety

“From the original to the original� – this was the principle applied in develop­ing the exterior design of the new MINI. Right from the start with the first generation of the modern MINI, the designers succeeded in appro­pri­ately adapting the concept of the classic Mini from the year 1959. And now they are maintaining this philosophy of forward-looking continuity: “In its exterior design, the new MINI is an evolution of its predecessor�, states MINI Chief Designer Gert Hildebrand. The objective in creating the new model was to focus even more directly on all signs of distinction, making the modern MINI not only a true classic from the start, but also an absolutely unique car in every respect. And it almost goes without saying that performance en­hanced to an even higher level, together with even stricter safety require­ments, provided additional motives for re-interpreting the design of the car in an appropriate manner.

Continuity in design and consistent maintenance of traditional design icons ensure from the start that the new MINI is recognised at first sight and from all perspectives as the true original. Indeed, it is precisely this consistency in design that gives the MINI its unique authenticity. The individual and emo­tion­al design language of the car follows numerous elementary symbols originating, believe it or not, from the architecture of the human body. So now these symbols all come together in perfect harmony in the new MINI.

The front of the car, for example, stands out through its open and fully alert look, the side view is characterised by powerful and muscular shoulders, and smooth, soft modelled lines dominate the engine compartment of the new MINI, to mention just a few examples.

Particularly the side view of the car now even firmer and more muscular in design due to the large wheels and elevated shoulder line gives the new MINI a clear touch of masculinity and maturity all in one. Indeed, the should­er line rising slightly towards the rear and the discreet wedge shape created in this way also reflect the enhanced driving dynamics and performance of the car.

Traditional design elements, masculine expression.

Compared with its predecessor, the new MINI comes with a slightly larger front section. In fact, the difference in length is exactly 38 millimetres or 1.50´´.
This increase in size is attributable, first, to the dimensions of the new engines and, second, to new safety regulations stricter than before. Future legislation on the protection of pedestrians, for example, requires a greater distance between the engine compartment lid and the technical components within the engine bay.

In spite of these changes, the face of the MINI remains absolutely unmis­tak­able and is characterised by three elements in particular: the large head­lights, the position lights integrated in the lower air dam, and the hexagonal radiator grille.

While the round, clear-glass headlights have been turned slightly to the out­side to maintain the proven geometry of the car from the front, not only their light beams, but also the “eyes� of the new MINI point clearly ahead.
The direction indicators formerly positioned as separate units are now housed within the main headlight units, meaning that the position lights also com­prising the optional foglamps now form the only “insular� elements as cha­rac­teristic “beauty spots� in the face of the new MINI.

The new design of the car comes out most clearly in the radiator grille now made up of a closed, self-contained element without the former dividing line formed by the upper edge of the bumper. Through this new, even more distinctive appearance, the modified hexagonal radiator grille is even more reminiscent of the air intake scoop in the classic Mini, further enhancing the expressiveness of this icon in design. The horizontal orientation of the radi­ator grille, in turn, accentuates the sheer width of the body and gives the new MINI an even more masculine look.

The front end: each model with its own individual appearance.

The front ends of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S differ in a number of details adding up in their optical impact to give both model variants a truly distinctive and unique appearance. On the MINI Cooper, for example, the surrounds on the lower air intake scoop show a slight upward “swing� crea­ting the impression that the MINI Cooper is smiling, raising up its mouth at either side. The radiator grille, in turn, is formed by three chrome-plated fins, again helping to give the entire front end of the car a superior touch of ele­gance and desirability.

This extra size and strength is further accentuated by the plastic grid in the radiator grille with its chrome surround. The distinctive pattern of the grid is reflected in the lower air intake scoop, making the air intake opening look
even larger and more dynamic. And together, both elements visualise the power and muscle of the turbocharged engine that lurks within.

Yet a further feature to be found on the new MINI Cooper S is the typical opening at the front, the air intake scoop in the engine compartment lid.

The sideline: large wheels, small body overhangs.

The new MINI is particularly firm, muscular and striking in its design also from the side. Large wheels and minimum body overhangs both front and rear create the impression that the MINI is really resting on its wheels.

This “stance-on-the-wheels� character has indeed been a typical feature of the car for decades, originally on the classic Mini, and now even more so, on the modern MINI.

The diagonal body seam between the engine compartment lid and the side direction indicator is also reminiscent of the great grandfather of the new model launched almost 50 years ago – the classic Mini boasted a clearly visible welding seam at this point. Further design icons are the chrome-plated door handles and the direction indicator lights positioned in the front side panels.

A feature characteristic of the modern MINI in particular is the glazed section around the passenger cell, the so-called greenhouse. Again, this particular highlight in design runs around the entire car like a dark, 360° glass band.
And since it covers the body pillars in full, it also creates the impression that the roof is hovering freely in space.

Rising gently to the rear, the shoulder line 18 millimetres or 0.71´´ higher than on the former model clearly accentuates the powerful stance of the car’s body as well as the dynamic character of the new MINI.

The rear end: focusing on horizontal proportions.

To maintain the car’s unmistakable proportions, the designers of the MINI have matched the increase in size at the front by giving the car correspond­ingly striking shoulders at the rear. At the same time the contours of the new MINI’s rear end have become rounder than on the former model, the rear section being defined by horizontal lines running parallel to one another.

Within this overall arrangement, the individual segments rest on one another and provide mutual support. It is indeed precisely these gently flowing con­tours and increments, the characteristic “cascading�, that give the new MINI its particular look of strength and stability also from the rear.

Another genuine design icon, the rear light clusters remain almost un­changed. However, they are now slightly larger than on the former model and come with separate external surrounds even larger and more sophis­ticated in their looks and quality than before. The gap between the rear lights and the black band now also a bit wider at the bottom remains the same as before, giving the entire rear end of the new MINI a compact look despite its increase in size.

Serving as a vertical air flow spoiler, an additional trim panel in the area of the C-pillars helps to optimise the flow of air at the rear end of the new MINI.
The MINI Cooper also boasts a small air spoiler at the rear end of the roof, helping significantly to improve the streamlining of the car, with the drag coefficient of the MINI Cooper now down to 0.33.

The roof spoiler on the MINI Cooper S, in turn, is significantly larger, not only optimising the flow of air, but also increasing downforces on the rear axle.

Further visual highlights bearing testimony to motorsport, where the new MINI will once again be making a powerful appearance, are the twin tail­pipes positioned in the middle, a large air intake in the rear air dam, and the two-piece rear fog warning light – design features clearly reflecting the dy­nam­ic potential of the most powerful MINI from every angle.

Body colours: roof also in black or white.

Customisation of the new MINI again starts with the wide range of paintwork colours: The new MINI will be available with no less than 12 body colours, eight of which are metallic. Two brand-new colours are Mellow Yellow and Oxygen Blue, while Chili Red and Pepper White were already to be admired on the former models.

The metallic colours are British Racing Green, Pure Silver, Astro Black and, as new colours, Sparkling Silver, Lightning Blue, and Nightfire Red.

The MINI Cooper S is also available exclusively in Dark Silver and Laser Blue, two metallic colours reserved for this model alone.

Moving on to the roof, the range of paintwork options allows even greater freedom of choice, with the MINI purchaser being able to opt for roof paint­work not only in body colour, but also in black or white.

Yet a further option for customising both the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S is the new Chromeline Package comprising chrome plated surrounds on the lower air intake scoop, the foglamps and rear fog warning light (MINI Cooper) as well as the air outlet (at the rear of the MINI Cooper S) and the rear lid grab handle (also on the MINI Cooper S).