All New Mini in Depth

Press Release

Short Version(I)

The go-kart in the compact segment is entering the next round: Starting in November 2006, the second generation of the MINI will be making its appearance on the road, the best-selling small car in the premium segment boasting evolutionary developed body design, a revolutionary change in the interior, as well as brand-new four-cylinder power units. And at the same time new features enhance both motoring comfort and driving pleasure.

The new model generation is entering the market first in the guise of the 128 kW/175 hp MINI Cooper S and the 88 kW/120 hp MINI Cooper. Both of these models will be followed in the first half of 2007 by the also brand-new MINI One featuring a 70 kW/95 hp 1.4-litre four-cylinder power unit.
And last but certainly not least, the new MINI will also come with the most advanced, up-to-date turbodiesel technology.

The MINI Cooper S is powered by a new 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with extremely high specific output of more than 100 hp per litre allowing acceleration to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and providing a top speed of 225 km/h or 140 mph. The innovative normal-aspiration power unit in the new MINI Cooper also displacing 1.6 litres features fully variable valve control and accelerates this agile two-door athlete to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds, with top speed of 203 km/h or 126 mph.

Despite their much higher level of dynamic performance and sporting character, both new MINIs ensure superior fuel economy at all times, the MINI Cooper S consuming just 6.9 litres/100 kilometres in the EU test cycle (equal to 40.9 mpg Imp), with the MINI Cooper being even more economical at 5.8 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 48.7 mpg Imp.

A wide range of optimisations on the engine, transmission, suspension, steering and brake system serves to further enhance that go-kart feeling so typical of the MINI. A low centre of gravity, wide wheel track, and the wheels moved far out to the extreme corners of the car guarantee extremely agile and nimble driving behaviour at all times. The modified structure of the bodyshell as well as a wide range of safety features, in turn, help to ensure that the new MINI by far outperforms all international legal requirements in terms of accident protection.

Clear look and a friendly face.

"From the original to the original" - this was the philosophy in creating the body design of the new MINI. So it was with this in mind that the entire car has been completely re-designed from the ground up, with many details and features being modified and enhanced in the process. But in its outer look the MINI remains truly unmistakable, the radiator grille and large circular headlights characterising the front end of the car and giving it a truly friendly appearance.

Contrary to the grille on the former model, the new hexagon radiator grille is now one complete, single-piece unit. The direction indicator lights on the new MINI, in turn, are fully integrated in the headlights, giving the front end of the car even greater clarity and an even more straightforward appearance, with just two "beauty spots" instead of four in the past serving as an additional eye-catcher. These are the positioning lights beneath the headlights also taking up the optional foglamps where fitted.

Although the new MINI is longer than its predecessor, this increase in length is hardly noticeable, with the car's overall proportions being smooth, uncluttered and particularly harmonious. The larger exterior dimensions provide not only more space within the engine compartment, but also the foundation for even the strictest safety regulations scheduled for the future. Even today, therefore, the MINI fulfils the requirements for maintaining the pedestrian safety standards soon to be introduced, with the new MINI being approximately 60 millimetres or 2.36' longer than its predecessor.

The front end and front design of the car also serves to distinguish the individual model variants. One significant difference in looks setting the MINI Cooper S apart from the MINI Cooper is the car's more powerful and muscular powerdome 20 millimetres or 0.8' higher on the MINI Cooper S, while another feature is the stylised air intake scoop in the engine compartment lid.

Taut side-line, powerful rear end.

Seen from the side, the new MINI is firm, taut and striking, resting powerfully on its wheels in a look well-known to friends and aficionados of the brand as that typical "stance on the wheels". A characteristic feature is the seemingly uninterrupted "flow" of windows around the car, adorning the new MINI like a complete, 360° band of glass.

The window line rises up slightly towards the rear end of the car, reaching a level 18 millimetres or 0.7' higher up at the B-pillar than on the former model. This also allows the "greenhouse", the glazed part of the passenger cell, to taper out more distinctly towards the rear end of the car than before.

All together, these modifications accentuate the wedge design of the new MINI and underline its particularly powerful and dynamic look.

At the rear the new MINI stands out in particular through its much more distinct shoulders in sporting and powerful design forming a distinct counter-element to the longer front end of the car. But since the well-known proportions are maintained in every respect, the larger body dimensions are hardly noticeable.

The premium insignia of the new MINI, in turn, stand out all the more clearly, with chrome glistening on the door handles, headlights, rear lights and the radiator grille, on the tank filler cap and around the car's window line. So it is fair to say that in its elegant look and well-balanced, compact structure, the new MINI resembles a sculpture on wheels.

Upgraded Center Speedo and additional toggle switches.

Inside, the new MINI has been fundamentally revised and updated, the intelligent design concept helping to reduce the number of instruments to a minimum.

Combined with the firm horizontal geometry of the interior and, in particular, the dashboard, the displays in their purist, round design characterise
the overall design language of the cockpit. The central element also in the new MINI is the Center Speedo now even larger in size and with an enhanced range of functions serving far more purposes and requirements than on the former model. Now, for example, the displays and controls for the entertainment system as well as the display for the optional navigation system are all integrated in the Center Speedo, while the rev counter remains a separate unit in its own right positioned, as befits a particularly sporting car, right behind the steering wheel in the driver's direct line of vision.

The particularly slender design and shape of the centre console ensures extra space in the footwells on both the driver's and passenger's side. Not only are the structures making up the cockpit as such horizontally aligned, but also the control elements accommodated in one group in the Center Stack right beneath the Center Speedo.

The vertically arranged rotary knobs for the ventilation, the two cupholders integrated in the bottom section of the centre console, and the toggle switches carried over from motorsport, are also typical of MINI in every respect. Indeed, these characteristic metal toggles serving, inter alia, to operate the window lifts and central locking, are now even larger than before on the new MINI. And for the first time there are also toggles in the roof lining.

A round signal transmitter finished in typical MINI style now takes over the functions of the conventional door and ignition key, with the driver starting and stopping the engine by means of a start/stop button. All instruments and controls are naturally very smooth and easy to operate and are positioned at exactly the right point for optimum ergonomics.

Background illumination in five colours.

New ambient illumination included in the optional Lights Package sets unique highlights in the new MINI. And once again reflecting that typical MINI style and class, the ambient lights can be varied in five stages all the way from warm orange to sporting blue. Serving as discreet "waterfall illumination" from above and as indirect illumination of the roof lining, the door storage boxes and the door handle recesses, this very special illumination scheme creates a truly unique atmosphere inside the new MINI.

Natural wood, hand-sewn leather, and classy chrome as special interior options.

Available with a wide range of attractive options and special equipment, the new MINI meets all the demands of even the most discerning individualist. Featuring appealing materials such as natural wood and hand-sewn leather with their wonderful, unique fragrance, the interior arouses the emotions of even the most demanding MINI customer. And with the help of various trim features as well as the Colour Line Package available in different colours, the interior can be adjusted perfectly to the personal taste and preference of the individual driver.

The new MINI comes as standard with no less than 12 body colours, eight of which are metallic. The wide range of choice provided in this way from the start is further expanded by additional colour options for the roof, which is available in both white and black as an alternative to the roof finished in body colour.

As an option, both the MINI Cooper S and the MINI Cooper are available with Chromeline featuring chrome surrounds on the instruments and a chrome bar on the lower air intake in the front air dam, on the foglamps and the rear fog warning light on the MINI Cooper, plus, on the MINI Cooper S, chrome bars in the air outlet on the rear air dam and on the rear lid handle.