Monday 28th June 2010

Revised Mini Range Revealed

Design tweaks and frugal new diesels for BMW's supermini

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The new Mini...

Mini is set to introduce a raft of changes to its hatch, Clubman and convertible models.

Most significant is the addition of new cleaner, more efficient diesel engines (the petrol range got a frugality makeover back in March). The headlines here are that the Mini convertible gets a diesel for the first time, and that the One D and Cooper D drop their emissions to just 99g/km.

Now, we know that this is hardly 'Speed Matters'-type stuff, but in the case of the Cooper D this means warm-hatch performance (199lb ft of torque, 0-62mph in 9.7secs and a 123mph top speed) combined with zero VED. And that's got to be appealing.

The whole range also gets a visual update. At the front, this means a new bumper with a lower air intake (improving pedestrian protection, we are told, courtesy of larger deformation zones). There are also new fog lamps though, on the Cooper S, two air intakes replace these to feed the brake discs with cool air.

...blink and you'll have missed the changes

The headlights have new light elements, there's a new side indicator with a distinctive concentric circle design, and redesigned side 'gill' housings. At the rear, the tail and brake lights are now LEDs (the brake lights adjust their intensity according to the braking force applied) and the bumper has been redesigned. There are also five new paint colours and five new alloy wheel designs.

Inside, the centre console, steering wheel, and the air-con and audio controls have all been modified, and there are six new upholstery choices, three new fascia options and two new interior colour lines for door and side panels.

All Minis, with the exception of the entry-level One, also now come with DAB digital radio as standard, while customers with an iPhone who choose the optional Mini Connected can access internet radio, Google or social networking sites via the car's in-dash screen.

[HowardB]

At least it's better looking than the t.25!

[HowardB]

except lookout for the iphone waving idiot who is trying to drive and update their facebook status at the same time!!
Agh!

[2fster]

HowardB said:

except lookout for the iphone waving idiot who is trying to drive and update their facebook status at the same time!!
Agh!

There's a bird at work who does that in her 54-plate MINI as it is!

[P4ROT]

2fster said:

HowardB said:

except lookout for the iphone waving idiot who is trying to drive and update their facebook status at the same time!!
Agh!

There's a bird at work who does that in her 54-plate MINI as it is!

I hate people that constantly update their facebook status even if they're not driving!

[sday12]

Another one for inane bints and gheys.

[soad]

I really dislike those headlights. Just doesn't look very appealing

[geoffracing]

I love the Mini!
I've had 5 real ones, one a Cooper S.
Then in 2004 a BMW-Mini.
Every body criticised it, "it's not a Mini anymore, it doesn't really look like the olrd one, etc."
But now, the Mini is getting larger and larger (see the 4All !) and uglier and uglier.

BMW has been very clever, as it sells so well. But if they go to far in the wrong direction, they must remember that there are quite a few other tempting cars around! (even Citroën is starting to know how to draw!)

[ellisd82]

don't like the chrome air intakes in the bumper. prefer old look mini tbh. BMW are getting worse as someone has already mentioned.

[R360]

Am i the only one that read the title and thought, mini range, as in range rover

[A.S.H]

R360 said:

Am i the only one that read the title and thought, mini range, as in range rover

yes.

[anonymous-user]

They are starting to look very chubby with every iteration. They might be small but they don't look it.

[busta]

MSTRBKR said:

They are starting to look very chubby with every iteration. They might be small but they don't look it.

They are only small on the inside.

[KennyGT]

I think it looks good, certainly a one of the better face lifts out there IMO.

[va1o]

Seems to be a lot of confusion about the diesel engines, some places are reporting they are all new BMW units similar to the 2.0d used in the 116d, other places are reporting they are just tweaked versions of the existing Ford-PSA 1.6d. Anyone know for sure?

Edited by va1o on Monday 28th June 18:06

[mikebrownhill]

Well I'm a bit miffed, ordered a new Cooper S convertible a few weeks ago all nicely specified up for for my better half (chili pack, lounge leather etc) its being registered tomorrow, and its already out of date! That's life I suppose but the dealer swears on a stack of bibles he didn't know about it - is that likely do you reckon?

[pelliott]

busta said:

MSTRBKR said:

They are starting to look very chubby with every iteration. They might be small but they don't look it.

They are only small on the inside.

+1

I actually quite liked the first new mini, not all buldgy and fat like these new new minis.

Edited by pelliott on Monday 28th June 19:44

[ukmike2000]

Shouldn't take long to get used to the changes I suspect?

Those chrome grilles are stupid and annoying - and if I read it right, if you have a Cooper S you get cold brakes but no foglights?

I wish BMW wouldn't try to cover all the bases with myriad versions of the same thing. Clubman etc could go straight to the crusher as far as I am concerned, but the convertible seems to have matured nicely. We still have the Moke to come of course..........then the hybrids, and who knows, the flying version and the amphibian....... lol

Of all the "changes" its the brake lights I find the most interesting. The Gatso cameras will know how hard you had to brake! :-)

[TheRoadWarrior]

BMW said:

also now come with DAB digital radio as standard

BOO!

Down with DAB!!!! Long live FM!!!

BOO!!

Edited by TheRoadWarrior on Monday 28th June 19:33

[LuS1fer]

The front looks a lot smarter than before though I still think the convertible and Clubman, is it, are both pretty disgusting.

Would I buy one?

Nein.

Edited by LuS1fer on Monday 28th June 19:45

[t955daytona]

mikebrownhill said:

Well I'm a bit miffed, ordered a new Cooper S convertible a few weeks ago all nicely specified up for for my better half (chili pack, lounge leather etc) its being registered tomorrow, and its already out of date! That's life I suppose but the dealer swears on a stack of bibles he didn't know about it - is that likely do you reckon?

It was widely mentioned in march when they brought out the new petrol engines that a full facelift would be happening in time for the New september registration. The dealer would have know about t alright but would not mention it or they would get very few sales between then and when the new ones are being built.