All New, All Mini: The New Mini Hatch Revealed

The new MINI Hatch, the car which has defined a segment since 2001 has been unveiled at MINI Plant Oxford.

Even though the new MINI is instantly recognisable – the car is completely new from the ground up. Every component has been back to the drawing board in an effort to optimise its function, performance and style.

Available from Spring 2014, it features significant improvements in technology, engine efficiency and power delivery, driving dynamics, quality and – of course – personalisation. Inside, the new MINI Hatch is quieter than the outgoing model, with improvements to acoustic refinement inside the cabin.

The new MINI Hatch is more spacious than before, safer, finished to an even higher standard and provides the driver with a more dynamic and performance-oriented experience behind the wheel.

Inside the cabin, new technology ensures that the new MINI is the most connected car in its segment. A new LED display concept, provides the driver with visual feedback and creates a premium ambience. It reflects a maturity and confidence in the brand’s design and engineering, a car which pays tribute to its unique British heritage yet stands ready to lead MINI into the second half of the decade and beyond.

The new MINI is the first car in its segment to offer the option of LED headlamps for both dipped and main beam. They are surrounded by an LED daylight driving ring. The rear light clusters also feature an all-LED design.

The new MINI’s exterior dimensions mean greater room for up to four occupants and their luggage, including enhanced shoulder space and larger footwells. The rear bench seat back can be split 60:40. For even greater practicality, the rear seat backrest features tilt-angle adjustment. Boot volume has been increased by more than 30 per cent to 211 litres.

The iconic central instrument now has extended functionality. Depending on the optional equipment chosen, it can serve as a four-line TFT display as standard or optional colour screen up to 8.8-inches showing vehicle functions, infotainment, navigation and MINI Connected services.

Groundbreaking LED lighting around the new MINI Hatch’s central instrument provides visual feedback to the current situation on the road and to specific operational steps, according to the driver’s preference. For example, when Park Distance Control is activated, the remaining distance to obstacles is shown by means of a ring of light which is illuminated in green, yellow or red - supplementing the graphic display. Route guidance information provided by the MINI Navigation System is also visually supported by the illuminated ring: the closer the car gets to the turn-off point, the smaller the lit-up area around the edge of the central instrument.

Keyless-go is now standard across the MINI Hatch range. The start/stop toggle switch located in the middle of the centre console features a heartbeat illumination which pulses before the engine is started.

The new MINI Hatch features a range of three entirely new engines, each featuring MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology to increase driving fun and improve environmental efficiency. The trio all offer improved performance figures, with maximum power across all three variants produced lower down the rev range, while fuel consumption and emission levels have been reduced by as much as 27 per cent when compared to their predecessor models. All meet the stringent EU6 exhaust emissions criteria.

The new MINI Cooper Hatch has a three-cylinder petrol engine with a peak output of 134bhp. The new MINI Cooper S Hatch is powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine which develops 189bhp. The new MINI Cooper D Hatch comes with a three-cylinder diesel engine with an output of 114bhp. For fuel efficiency this latter model is the undoubted star performer, with average combined economy of 80.7mpg using the EU test cycle.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic transmission is available as an option on each engine. The automatic transmission sees efficiency improvements against the outgoing model, making a significant contribution towards reducing CO2 levels. For example, the outgoing MINI Cooper D Automatic Hatch produces 135g/km CO2 with the new MINI Cooper D Hatch producing 98g/km CO2.

The auto, when used in conjunction with the MINI Navigation System, 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.

Also new to the car is Variable Damper Control. Available as an option, it presents drivers with the choice of two distinct set-ups, a more comfort-oriented response or a more sporty and firm one.

Highly resilient bearing structures, deformation zones and an extremely stable passenger cell are all part of the new MINI’s design. Together these provide an excellent basis for keeping impact energy away from passengers and ensuring maximum occupant protection. The standard safety fittings include front and side airbags as well as curtain airbags for the front and rear seats, automatic passenger airbag deactivation and front and rear ISOFIX. The aim is to achieve maximum scores on all the relevant crash tests worldwide.

MINI Connected: more connected than ever

MINI Connected or MINI Connected XL is also available in conjunction with the MINI Visual Boost Radio and the MINI Navigation System. It offers extensive integration of smartphones inside the car, enabling the use of internet-based services in the areas of infotainment, communication and driver experience. This functionality is provided via a diverse and continually expanding number of apps which are downloaded to a connected smartphone.

MINI Connected XL includes the Journey Mate function for networked navigation, with Real Time Traffic Information.

In future, both the MINI Connected app and MINI Connected-ready apps supplied by third-party providers will be available not just for the Apple iPhone but also for smartphones using the Android operating system.

MINI Connected remains the access point for vehicle-related functions such as Mission Control, Dynamic Music, Driving Excitement and the MINIMALISM Analyser. MINI Connected is also the way into online-based services such as web radio, the use of social networks including Facebook, Twitter, foursquare and Glympse, receiving RSS news feeds and entertainment features such as AUPEO!, Stitcher, Deezer, Audible, Napster and TuneIn.

Pricing

The new MINI Cooper Hatch now starts at £15,300 OTR. This represents only a 2.61 per cent increase compared against the outgoing model and customers benefit from a host of additional equipment including the on-board computer, front foglights, front and rear ISOFIX and Bluetooth all as standard. The MINI Cooper D Hatch’s OTR price of £16,450 represents only a 1.64 per cent increase verses the outgoing model. Completing the range is the MINI Cooper S Hatch starting from £18,650.

To register your interest in the new MINI Hatch click here: http://www.mini.co.uk/campaigns/hatch-interest-register/