The original MINI revolutionized the automotive scene around the world when it came about in 1959. The classic MINI became a instant hit and have roamed the earth for decades now. In 2001, BMW Group took over and created a new breed of MINI which is well accepted as it still maintain its DNA of an original MINI. Now, a new set of MINI has emerged, the 2014 New MINI makes worldwide debut at the Oxford Plant, UK and is scheduled to debut in Los Angeles then Shanghai later on.
Being a MINI, the “New Original” is designed and optimized with care to offer balance between fuel consumption and fun driving, premium quality and clever functionality. First glance at the new MINI doesn’t show much changes. However, if you look closer, there are plenty of changes and improvements made.
The headlamps are now new with daytime driving light and optional LED headlamps. The tail lights are now larger and comes with optional LED ones. The MINI is now bigger as the length is increased by 98mm, width by 44mm, height by 7mm and wheelbase by 28mm. Occupants in this new car will have less complaints about space; new seat design with larger adjustment range at front and longer seat surface at rear, an addition 23 millimetres. Also, more shoulder room and foot space for better comfort. As for boot compartment, the volume has been increased to 211 liters, an increase of a whopping 51 liters and rear seats is foldable at 60:40 split.
Powertrain in this British Bulldog is a new generation of engines, MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 2.6 seconds faster and average fuel consumption is 27 percent lower. It comes in three variants; MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper D.
MINI Cooper S
Engine: 1,998cc 4-cylinder petrol engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology (turbo charging, direct injection, fully variable valve control, variable camshaft control)
Transmission:Â Â 6-speed manual transmission / optional 6-speed automatic transmission or sports automatic transmission
Output: 141 kW/192 bhp at 4 700 – 6 000 rpm
Max. torque: 280 Nm at 1 250 – 4 750 rpm (300 Nm with overboost)
0–100 km/h: 6.8 seconds (automatic: 6.7 seconds)
Top speed: 235Â km/h (233Â km/h)
Average fuel consumption: 5.7 – 5.8 litres (5.2 – 5.4 litres)/100 km
CO2 emissions: 133 – 136 g/km (122 – 125 g/km)
Exhaust emission standard: EU6.
MINI Cooper
Engine: 1,499cc 3-cylinder petrol engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology (turbo charging, direct injection, fully variable valve control, variable camshaft control)
Transmission:Â Â 6-speed manual transmission / optional 6-speed automatic transmission or sports automatic transmission
Output: 100 kW/136 bhp at 4,500 – 6,000 rpm
Max. torque: 220 Nm at 1,250 – 4,000 rpm (300 Nm with overboost)
0–100 kph: 7.9 seconds (automatic: 7.8 seconds)
Top speed: 210 km/h (210 km/h)
Average fuel consumption: 4.5 – 4.6 litres (4.7 – 4.8 litres)/100km
CO2 emissions: 105 – 107 g/km (109 – 112 g/km)
Exhaust emission standard: EU6.
MINI Cooper D
Engine: 1,496cc 3-cylinder diesel engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology (turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, common rail direct injection, max. fuel injection pressure: 2 000 bar)
Transmission:Â Â 6-speed manual transmission / optional 6-speed automatic transmission or sports automatic transmission
Output:Â 85Â kW/116Â bhp at 4,000Â rpm
Max. torque: 270 Nm at 1,750 rpm
0–100 km/h: 9.2 seconds (automatic: 9.2 seconds)
Top speed:Â 205Â km/h (204Â km/h)
Average fuel consumption: 3.5 – 3.6 litres (3.7 – 3.8 litres)/100km
CO2 emissions: 92 – 95 g/km (98 – 99 g/km)
Exhaust emission standard: EU6
The New MINI offers variable vehicle set-up using the new Driving Modes option.  Other than the standard setting MID mode, you will be able to switch to Sport mode and even Green mode. The type of mode you choose influences the characteristic curve of the accelerator and steering. As for driver’s aid, it comes with MINI Head-Up-Display, camera-based active cruise control, collision and pedestrian warning with initial brake function, high beam assistant and road sign detection, parking assistant via a rear view camera.
Its famous retro-style center console has a new display and operating concept. It comes with coloured lighting configuration including LED ring for visual feedback in response to different operating functions. At the driver’s dashboard display shows road speed and engine speed, colour display for vehicle status details and fuel level.
It also has a Start/Stop button at the centre of the toggle switch bar on the centre console which can be activated without key insertion.
It will be available from Q2 2014 onwards in UK, no news on its arrival date in Malaysia.
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IMAGE GALLERY
