In photo: The MINI Cooper S Convertible
The premium providers of driving fun, expressive design, and individual style.
Philippines. MINI Asia and British United Automobiles Inc. today announced the launch of the new MINI 3-Door, MINI 5-Door, and MINI Convertible in the Philippines. Clear exterior design accents give it a purist appearance that emphasises the hallmark design features. In the interior, the extensively redesigned cockpit underlines the premium character of the new MINI range. Attractive additions to the range of standard and optional equipment, new exterior paint finishes, light-alloy wheels, interior and seating surfaces as well as innovative technology in the areas of chassis, driver assistance systems, and operation round off the latest update for the British brand’s premium compact cars.
20 years after the launch of the modern MINI, the latest model generation presents itself in top form. The concept associated with the relaunch of the brand, namely to build premium cars for the small car segment, has turned into a unique and global success story. Today, MINI is the epitome of agile driving combined with an unmistakable look; it meets the highest standards in terms of technology and quality in its vehicle class. “With the current model revision, the MINI has reached a level of maturity that makes it more exceptional in the small car segment with regard to design, product substance and premium quality, than ever before,” says Bernd Körber, Head of the MINI brand. “The MINI is the original that stands out from the crowd and it continues to reinvent itself again and again.”
MINI 3-Door, MINI 5-Door, and MINI Convertible: The innovations in brief.
- Purist look thanks to new front design and redesigned rear apron.
- Characteristic side scuttles in a new design.
- New body colours and light alloy wheels.
- Newly-designed interior surfaces and air outlets.
- Redesigned steering wheels.
- Multifunctional digital instrument display with 5-inch screen standard across all variants.
- Central instrument cluster with new Piano Black high-gloss surround, 8.8-inch display and modern graphics display as standard.
- Greater safety thanks to Driving Assistant with Lane Departure Warning fitted as standard.
A new exterior design language now puts the unmistakable appearance of the MINI in a decidedly purist light. Above all, the enhanced aesthetics ensure that the central design features of the MINI become even more apparent and modern by means of reduction.
The front view is particularly expressive – it is dominated more than ever by the characteristic radiator grille, and the hexagonal surround which has gained size and presence. The round hallmark MINI headlights with LED technology feature black inner housings, making them even more expressive. The previous front fog lights are replaced by vertical air inlets placed far to the outside, which serve as an opening for the air curtains in order to optimise aerodynamics. The central bumper strip, which also functions as a number plate holder, is now in body colour rather than in black.
“The new MINI design is more modern, fresher and clearer,” says Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design. “All innovations follow a common mission: Purify MINI! Less complexity, more individuality.”
Typical MINI proportions and short overhangs continue to define the side view, and the new contours of the wheel arch surrounds are striking. In addition, the side indicators integrated into the redesigned side scuttles now feature LED technology.
At the rear, a reduced surface design characterises the new MINI range. A black surround picks up the hexagonal shape of the radiator grille. On the Cooper variants, the hexagon frames a clean and sophisticated surface with one tailpipe on the side. For the Cooper S models, an additional sweeping element in body colour houses the black twin tailpipes. Across all variants, the new MINI features the rear LED lights in the Union Jack design, and the rear fog light is now integrated into the rear apron as a narrow LED unit.
Unique soft top for the MINI Convertible.
The MINI Convertible combines the enthusiasm for open-top driving pleasure with clever functionality. The roof is fully electrically driven and particularly quiet. The textile soft top can be opened and closed within 18 seconds at a time. It can also be activated while driving at speeds of up to 30 km/h.
For a precisely dosed supply of fresh air and sunlight, the front section of the soft top can be continuously retracted by up to 40 centimetres. This sunroof function is available at any speed. As an alternative to the black version, a MINI Yours soft top is also available, which refers to the British homeland of the MINI brand with a woven-in Union Jack pattern in titanium grey.
Three new exterior paint finishes, five new light-alloy wheels.
The choice of body paint finishes for the MINI 3-Door, MINI 5-Door, and MINI Convertible includes three new colours. In addition to the new Rooftop Grey metallic and Island Blue metallic exterior paint finishes, the Zesty Yellow variant is also available. As part of the Piano Black Exterior option (standard on the Cooper S variants across the range), the door handles, side scuttles, and fuel cap are now finished in high-gloss black. Other elements given the high-gloss black treatment include the MINI logos on the bonnet and luggage compartment lid, the model lettering and tailpipes of the exhaust system, as well as the surrounds of the headlights, radiator grille, and rear lights.
The range of light-alloy wheels available for the MINI has also been extensively renewed. Five new variants are available: 17-inch wheels are now also available in Tentacle Spoke black design, in Scissor Spoke design previously only available for the MINI Convertible Sidewalk Edition, and in a black version of the Pedal Spoke variant which had been previously introduced exclusively for the 60 Years Edition models. In addition, there are the 18-inch light-alloy wheels in the unique Pulse Spoke design, with a concentric bi-colour look that creates particularly impressive design accents, as well as John Cooper Works light-alloy wheels in Circuit Spoke black design.
Dark headlights, brightly illuminated roads: form and function with LED lights.
The LED headlights on the new MINI range have been designed to be more expressive. The inner housing of the characteristic round lights is no longer in chrome, but in black. A circumferential light band takes on the function of the daytime running lights and the turn indicators. The British flag-inspired graphic of the rear lights is particularly emphasised by a darker version of the pattern.
The bad weather light can also be activated at the touch of a button. When visibility is limited, for example due to heavy rain, the low beam can be supplemented by a dimmed cornering light to illuminate the road more intensively.
Interior: Clear design, high-quality finish.
The redesigned interior of the MINI 3-Door, MINI 5-Door, and MINI Convertible is sophisticated, modern and of particularly high quality. The design of the Colour Line, which was previously selectable as an individual option, is now harmoniously matched to the respective seat upholstery colour. The number of chrome elements has been significantly reduced throughout the interior. The two outer, round air outlets are now framed by black panels, while the internal air vents surrounding the central infotainment system have been completely redesigned to be embedded flush with the interior surface. Depending on the model selected, the dashboard panel is available in Piano Black, Silver Chequered, or MINI Yours Aluminium. It now extends across the entire width of the instrument panel into the driver’s area.
epending on the model selected, the dashboard panel is available in Piano Black, Silver Chequered, or MINI Yours Aluminium. It now extends across the entire width of the instrument panel into the driver’s area.
As part of the model refresh, a newly designed sports multifunction steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather is fitted as standard on all model variants of the MINI 3-Door, MINI 5-Door, and MINI Convertible. The controls are laid out in smooth Piano Black, and its new keypad structure optimises operation of the audio and telephone functions, voice control, cruise control, and speed limiter functions.
As part of the model refresh, a newly designed sports multifunction steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather is fitted as standard on all model variants of the MINI 3-Door, MINI 5-Door, and MINI Convertible. The controls are laid out in smooth Piano Black, and its new keypad structure optimises operation of the audio and telephone functions, voice control, cruise control, and speed limiter functions.
A multifunctional instrument display behind the steering wheel is fitted as standard across the range. This digital colour display in black panel design has a 5-inch diameter and displays all driving-relevant information as well as check-control messages and status displays of the driver assistance systems.
The premium look of the hallmark central infotainment system has also been optimised. An 8.8-inch colour touchscreen display, touch-sensitive favourite buttons and Piano Black high-gloss surfaces. In addition, the audio control unit as well as the function buttons for hazard warning lights and driver assistance systems are integrated even more harmoniously into the circular control unit. In conjunction with the Ambient Light feature, a new surface design with laser engraving optimises the appearance of the LED light ring surrounding the central instrument. The operating system controller placed on the centre console now features an all-black surface in conjunction with the navigation system.
New operating system with modern graphics display and additional connectivity features.
The operating system of the MINI 3-Door, MINI 5-Door, and MINI Convertible is now more advanced than ever before thanks to a new graphics display and further developed options for selecting and controlling vehicle functions, audio system, hands-free telephone system, navigation, and apps. The screen display with symbols and white text on new colour backgrounds has a particularly high-grade and modern look. The desired menu items are displayed as “live widgets” and can be called up by swiping the touchscreen, whereupon they are shown in enlarged form in the centre of the display. Wireless Apple CarPlay is also available for drivers to stay plugged in on the go, and wireless charging ensures that their phone is kept charged as well.
Choice of display colours and lighting mood: The new “Lounge” and “Sport” modes.
There is a choice of two colour schemes for the central instrument display and the digital cockpit display, which can be called up in the control system menu. In “Lounge” mode, the content displayed is in a relaxing colour setting ranging between turquoise and petrol blue. If “Sport” mode is active, the screen backgrounds are red and anthracite. The colour scheme is also linked to the various MINI Driving Modes. In the MID and GREEN modes, the “lounge” style screen display is then called up, and when driving in “SPORT” mode, the corresponding colour scheme of the same name is also activated. Optionally, a uniform colour scheme for all MINI Driving Modes can be set in the control system menu.
The colour worlds of the displays can also be combined with the interior light control. There is a choice of six interior light colours for each of the two modes “Lounge” and “Sport”. They can each be set using a toggle switch located in the upper area of the windscreen frame. Corresponding coloured light is then emitted from the laser-engraved LED ring of the central instrument, from the now indirectly illuminated undersides of the interior surfaces, along the contours of the door panels, at the driver’s and passenger’s door openers, from the base of the roof as well as in the front area of the centre console and in the footwells. This provides an individually configurable and always harmonious lighting mood in the car’s interior. In addition, the Ambient Light feature also illuminates the door handles and the entry areas on the driver and passenger sides.
Engines with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology
Powerful and efficient petrol engines with three or four cylinders constitute the drive portfolio for the MINI 3-Door, MINI 5-Door, and the MINI Convertible. Their MINI TwinPower Turbo technology is made up of a turbocharging unit integrated into the exhaust manifold, direct petrol injection and variable valve timing.
The combustion engines of the Cooper variants in the MINI 3-Door, MINI 5-Door and MINI Convertible are combined with a 7-speed Steptronic transmission with double clutch as standard. The Cooper S variant for all models features a 7-speed Steptronic Sport transmission with double clutch.
Staying on course at all times with the optional Driving Assistant package.
For the first time, the Driving Assistant package is available as an option for all versions of the MINI 3-Door, MINI 5-Door, and MINI Convertible. This camera-based system increases safety on the road by recognising and reporting speed limits. The collision warning and pedestrian warning systems with city braking function make it easier to avoid dangerous situations, particularly in city traffic. Notable features in the Driving Assistant package include Park Distance Control with sensors at the rear and the rear view camera, as well as cruise control with braking function.
The new lane departure warning helps the driver stay safely on the chosen course at speeds between 70 and 210 km/h. To prevent unintentional lane departure, the system registers markings at the edge of the lane and alerts the driver if there is a risk of deviation by vibrating the steering wheel. Other innovations in the Driving Assistant package include the camera-based speed and distance control – these help the driver keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, and the speed limit information system detects and displays speed limits as they apply to the current section of road.
The new MINI 3-Door, MINI 5-Door, and MINI Convertible will be available at the MINI Bonifacio Global City, MINI Alabang, MINI Pampanga, and MINI Cebu showrooms from Friday, 15 October 2021.