MINI has revealed the facelifted Cooper Hatch, Cooper Convertible, and Clubman. The updated MINIs feature new bumpers, a revised air intake, and modified fog lights, new headlights, LED taillights, restyled wheels, and an updated exterior colour palette.
Inside, the cars get revised controls for the audio systems and air conditioning, new colours for seat upholstery and trim elements, and a revised stereo for all cars that offers MP3 compatibility and an aux-in connection.
The Mini Connected system has also been improved. It offers iPhone users the chance to view video files and album artwork on an onboard monitor that can also display Facebook and Twitter posts via an external application.
Mini says the new options list will offer customers more variety than ever, but it has also put together three “design worlds”, packs of paint and roof colours, alloy wheel design, upholstery, trim elements and other features chosen for what the firm calls “their coherent character”.
Strangely, the three ‘design worlds’ have been called Scene, Classic and Rally. Powered by the same 208bhp engine as the current car, the JCW obtains black sports seats with stitching in Chilli Red, which is available as an external colour exclusively on the JCW. Other options on the flagship model include 17” alloy wheels that can be specified in black at no extra cost, and anthracite-coloured instrument dials.
Designed to strengthen BMW’s baby in the face of growing rivalry from the Audi A1, Fiat 500 and Alfa Romeo Mito, the revised Mini centres on improving fuel economy, reducing CO2 emissions and extending the customers range for personalisation.
"The pace at which MINI is bringing new technology to the market is breathtaking" said Jochen Goller, Director of MINI UK. "The current generation of MINI Hatch, Clubman and Convertible are all quite recent cars and were state of the art when they were launched. With the refreshment of MINI design and the extraordinarily economical new diesel engines MINI has moved the game forward even further. With the introduction in August of the Model refresh and MINI's strong MINIMALISM strategy it now positions the MINI Brand having 26 core models (including Countryman), 23 of which are underneath 160g/km CO2, 14 under 130g/km and 8 under the 120g/km threshold, in addition to the MINI Hatch One D and Cooper D now having 99g/km and being congestion charge exempt. We are extremely confident that MINI can continue to hold its market leading position in an ever increasing competitive sector", said Lee Connolly Product and Planning Manager, MINI UK.
The main revision is on the PSA-sourced 1.6 litre diesel, already used in the BMW 116d. Available in two specs — the 89bhp (90PS) Mini One D and 110bhp (112PS) Cooper D — it returns somewhat improved economy of 74.3mpg (3.8l/100km) and cuts CO2 emissions from 104g/km to 99g/km, making the car free from tax, under current VED rules. The 89bhp Mini One D produces 215Nm (158lb/ft) of torque.
The Cooper D has 270Nm (199lb/ft) of torque between 1,750rpm and 2,250rpm. It can reach 62mph in 9.7sec and a top speed of 122mph. The new diesel engine is also available in the Clubman and the Convertible, the first time an oil-burner has been offered in the drop-top model. Its CO2 emissions are increased and combined fuel economy decreased in both cars; 103g/km & 72.4mpg in the Clubman and 105g/km & 70.6mpg in the Convertible.
Petrol engines remain untouched. The revised Mini is due on sale on 18th September. Prices have yet to be confirmed but are expected to stay close to the current cars’.
Equipment such as CD player, AUX socket w/ DAB digital radio*, electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors, heated washer jets and 3 spoke leather steering wheel** is standard. Adaptive bi-xenon headlamps, ambient lighting and external auto-dimming rear-view mirrors are optional, alongside a range of other options.
*
Excludes Mini One**
Standard on Cooper S 2011 MINI Clubman
2011 MINI Cooper Convertible
2011 MINI Cooper hatchback
2011 MINI Cooper JCW
