Iconic British car Mini made a return to its grass-root by launching the 2014 model at its UK plant in Oxford, featuring all-new vehicle architecture, an evolutionary design and a range of new fuel-efficient engines to give owners even more fun behind the wheel. Ammar Alvi has more on the brand’s history and the new model.
The all-new Mini was launched at its plant in Oxford, UK, recently. Unveiled in 1959, the Mini was an instant hit and became a cult. Then, in 2001, the new Mini emerged from the BMW Group stable to lead the premium compact class into the new millennium. And now the Mini is poised to set new standards once again with the new model.
At first glance, the new Mini cuts a familiar figure. Its snappy proportions, short overhangs and hallmark “stance on the wheels” reflect the agile driving characteristics of the Mini. Keen to express the characteristic form of the hexagonal radiator grille more clearly, the designers have introduced a smooth, one-piece chrome frame for the first time. The design of the lights has also been revised. With their new graphics and clearly structured inner workings, the headlights and rear lights accentuate the more grown-up appearance of the new Mini. The trapezoidal rear lights of the previous model are now larger and have greater presence, and they more closely resemble rounded-off rectangles from the outside. As before, they have chrome ring surrounds, and now they extend into the boot lid. Although it has grown by around 10 centimetres in its latest guise, the relationship between its dimensions remains unchanged.
For the first time all driving-related displays, such as the speedometer and fuel gauge, are grouped together in a new instrument cluster positioned on the steering column.
The car will come to India only in 2014 and will be powered by BMW’s new fuel-efficient engines. The Cooper, Cooper D and Cooper S will go on sale first. The entry-level Mini One and a flagship high-performance John Cooper Works model could come later. The Cooper and Cooper D are powered by 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The Cooper churns out 134PS while the Cooper D delivers 114PS. The Cooper goes from 0-100kmph in a claimed 7.9 seconds while the Cooper D takes 9.2 seconds. The Cooper S has a 2.0-litre turbo that dishes out 189PS, which helps it sprint from naught to 100kmph in 6.8 seconds.