In 1959, the British Motor Corporation announced a new and quite revolutionary new small car, the now legendary Mini. Nearly seventy years on (allowing a little time for absence during the car’s mid-life crisis), the Mini is still with us. Although more ‘maxi’ than Mini these days, the car retains some of the features that made the original model so endearing, mixed with much 21st Century technology making this current iteration a thoroughly modern Mini.
In this feature we’re looking at a recent addition to the Mini family, the five-door Cooper. With extended space and innovative in-car technology, the new Mini Cooper 5 Door is offered with two efficient petrol engines that deliver that hallmark go-kart feeling. Yes, the Mini still handles like it used to.
The two petrol engines have two different designations, that of ‘C’ and ‘S’. The Cooper C offers 154bhp (156PS) from a three-cylinder engine providing a top speed of 140mph and a 0-62mph time of just eight seconds. The quicker alternative is the ‘S’ with 201bhp (204PS) from a four-cylinder engine this time with a maximum torque of 300 Nm (221 lb/ft), acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph.
The Design
Fashions may change but the song remains the same; it’s still a Mini. This sprightly car retains the short overhangs with a wheel at each corner, a small bonnet, a long wheelbase. Add large wheels and it makes the Mini Cooper 5 Door instantly recognisable. Combined with a three-part visual division of a clearly designed body, wraparound window area and steeped roof, the whole harks back to the iconic design from all that time ago. Car design has changed radically over the years so it’s great that the Mini still looks like it should, albeit dressed to impress the modern world.
A minimalist front end, still with round headlights, octagonal front grille and LED headlights which are individually adjustable into three light signatures, complete the model’s front design. Clear surfaces, flush-fitting tail-lights, and a black handle strip with distinctive model lettering at the rear round off the vehicle design.
The Looks
The new 5 Door is available in three trims: Classic, Exclusive and Sport, with each trim offering an array of exterior and interior personalisation options. Classic trim presents a reduced overall appearance while highlighting key elements matching a range of five exterior paint finishes, two contrasting roof colours, and two different wheel options for plenty of choice on new car orders. 17 inch ‘U-Spoke’ Silver wheels are fitted as standard, with two 18 inch wheel designs available optionally.
Finally, Sport trim offers ‘Sports Transmission’ with shift paddles on the steering wheel, a distinctive front and rear design featuring a high-gloss black hexagonal patterned grill surround and logo, and a rear spoiler with air blades. In this case special 18” inch ‘JCW (John Cooper Works) Lap Spoke 2-Tone’ alloy wheels are offered as standard, alongside black brake callipers with JCW badging.
The Interior
The interior of the new Mini Cooper 5 Door is focused on the circular infotainment screen (another delightful survivor from that original car), characteristic toggle switch and steering wheel. Behind the steering wheel is a slim head up display, ensuring all relevant content appears in the driver’s field of vision. An innovative use of materials creates a versatile cabin using a specially developed knitting process to create an easy-care structure in a two-colour design of recycled polyester which extends across the curved dashboard and into the door panels.
The generous space in the front seats and the clean lines give the cockpit a modern look while the panoramic glass roof ensures a bright and open cabin with room for three passengers in the rear, the ‘extra’ rear doors making this a very practical car.
‘Classic Trim’ offers a three-spoke steering wheel with cloth upholstery as standard across the seats, dashboard and door contrasts. Exclusive trim offers sports seats in ‘Nightshade Blue’ as standard or ‘Beige’ optionally, while ‘Sport Trim ‘offers a performance interpretation of the new material concept combining sustainable materials in ‘Dark Night’, with red accents also found on the dashboard and door trims.
Central to the Mini Cooper’s interior is that famous circular dash, now a 24cm OLED display, where all vehicle functions can be operated via either touch or voice control (Hey Mini!) using ‘Mini Operating System 9’. The upper half of the screen displays vehicle-related information such as speed and important information on vehicle status, while the lower area houses ‘Navigation, Media, Phone and Climate’. All other functions can be accessed via the menu with the display returning to the default setting via the home button. The optional head-up display presents the most important information in the driver’s line of sight.
In conjunction with the worthwhile ‘Mini Connected’ Package, the full ‘Navigation Package’ supports the driver during the journey with realistic 3D visualisation of turn situations, a display of the current traffic situations even when route guidance system is not active, and information on parking facilities.
The Drive
It’s a Mini so most drivers will know what to expect. That’s the fun part of a car this size. The extra doors give a roomier feel and easier access making the vehicle ideal for the smaller family. There’s plenty of space in the boot (trunk) too. This sporty car features a suspension and damping system suited to dynamic performance and a comfortable ride with a precise steering feel, and powerful brakes. Highly preloaded anti-roll bar mounts on the axles ensure balanced body handling, while selective tuning of the steering and all stability control system ensures a solid experience in all driving situations.
It’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t enjoyed driving a Mini. Explore VAT qualifying minis for sale in the UK on our Mini stock page or find out more about our export services and the specific countries we export to including Ireland, Kenya, Mauritius, Cyprus and 23 further destinations. Better still, get in touch with our team for more details about VAT reclaim and export services to you.
