MINI Malaysia released a teaser on its official Facebook page hinting at the imminent arrival of the MINI Cooper LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) or facelift in BMW Group speak. The refreshed MINI Cooper will be available in both 3-door and 5-door guise, featuring minor visual enhancements inside and out as well as a new double-clutch transmission.
Exterior changes include a new full-circle LED daytime running light design that double ups as the turn signals as well as a half Union Jack LED taillamp design that have garnered split public opinions. What is your take on this colonial taillamp design?
We can also expect new alloy wheel design as well a more extensive range of the MINI Yours Customised parts that covers the side scuttles, door sills and wheel caps.
Inside, the changes are more apparent with new steering wheel trim, electronic gear selector (similar to the BMW X2), 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a new user interface and an illuminated Union Jack motif interior trim that changes colour according to the ambient lighting.
Other subtle changes such as the repositioned drive mode selector (now on the centre console) and revised fuel gauge display are already present on newer (pre-facelift) MINI variants.
The Cooper soldiers on with a 1.5-litre MINI TwinPower three-cylinder turbo petrol engine while the Cooper S gets the same 2.0-litre MINI TwinPower four-cylinder turbo petrol, developing 136 hp/220 Nm and 192 hp/320 Nm, respectively. Both engines are paired to a new seven-speed dual clutch (wet) transmission that promises quicker gear shifts, better refinement and improved efficiency.
While MINI Malaysia did not reveal an official launch date, registration of interest for the refreshed MINI Cooper is up on the brand’s microsite.
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