Official images of the new Mini have been released ahead of the vehicle’s unveiling at the LA Auto Show later this week.
Not looking vastly different from the model that it replaces, new Mini gets a more angled bonnet and windscreen, while the headlights are now less pronounced than before. It also adopts circular daytime running lights situated around the headlights and has grown in size.
There will be a new range of engines on offer – two petrol and one diesel. The petrol line-up will include a turbocharged three-cylinder, 1,5-litre unit that develops 100 kW and 219 N.m (230 N.m on overboost) at 1 250 r/min. There is also a 141 kW turbocharged 2,0-litre with 279 N.m of torque (299 N.m on overboost). For those wondering about an S and JCW version, don’t fret. Mini has mentioned that it is in the pipeline. The oil-sipping variant is a direct-injection, common-rail 1,5-litre with 85 kW and 269 N.m.
Mini believes that these new models, the first to feature both three- and four-cylinder engines, covers a “broader performance spectrum as well as sets new standards in terms of output, performance, comfort and reliability”.
This new range of Minis will come with electrically adjustable dampers. According to the company, the electric control of the damper valves will make it possible to vary the nature of responsiveness to uneven road surfaces. It will take just a flip of a switch to choose between the two rather verbosely labelled driving characteristics – “decidedly sporty” or “balanced and comfortable”.
Riding on BMW’s UKL1 platform, which is set to underpin a number of BMW’s upcoming compact FWD models, the new Mini will be larger than the model it replaces. Even so, the company has stated that various weight-saving measures have been put in place. This includes the use of high-strength steels, a new electronic power steering system and a lighter braking system.
