Automotive

New Mini line unveiled in Oxford

New Mini line unveiled in Oxford
The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
View 177 Images
Rear-end collision warning with city braking function
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Rear-end collision warning with city braking function
Park assist
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Park assist
Pedestrian warning with city braking function
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Pedestrian warning with city braking function
Mini steering column
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Mini steering column
Cruise control inputs
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Cruise control inputs
Mini Cooper steering column
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Mini Cooper steering column
Mini Cooper steering column with power on
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Mini Cooper steering column with power on
1.5 liter Mini TwinPower Turbo in-line petrol engine
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1.5 liter Mini TwinPower Turbo in-line petrol engine
2.0 liter Mini TwinPower Turbo in-line petrol engine
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2.0 liter Mini TwinPower Turbo in-line petrol engine
Multifunctional camera designed for driver assist systems
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Multifunctional camera designed for driver assist systems
Rear view camera
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Rear view camera
Mini dashboard detail
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Mini dashboard detail
The switches on the Mini Cooper
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The switches on the Mini Cooper
Detail of switches of the Mini Cooper
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Detail of switches of the Mini Cooper
Mini Cooper central display
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Mini Cooper central display
Pedestrian warning with city braking function
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Pedestrian warning with city braking function
Rear-end collision warning with city braking function
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Rear-end collision warning with city braking function
Mini Connected
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Mini Connected
Park assist
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Park assist
Park Distance Control
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Park Distance Control
Park assist
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Park assist
Mini Head Up Display
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Mini Head Up Display
Mini Head Up Display
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Mini Head Up Display
Mini Head Up Display
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Mini Head Up Display
Evolution of the Mini
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Evolution of the Mini
Evolution of the Mini
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Evolution of the Mini
Evolution of the Mini
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Evolution of the Mini
Evolution of the Mini
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Evolution of the Mini
Evolution of the Mini
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Evolution of the Mini
Evolution of the Mini
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Evolution of the Mini
The new Mini is about 10 cm longer
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The new Mini is about 10 cm longer
The grille now has a chrome frame
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The grille now has a chrome frame
The Mini comes in three variants
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The Mini comes in three variants
The Mini Cooper has undergone an "evolutionary" design
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The Mini Cooper has undergone an "evolutionary" design
The variants are based on three new engines
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The variants are based on three new engines
The Mini is the center of a major investment by BMW
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The Mini is the center of a major investment by BMW
The new Mini Cooper goes on sale in 2014
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The new Mini Cooper goes on sale in 2014
The new Mini Cooper has been reengineered
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The new Mini Cooper has been reengineered
Mini Cooper exterior detail
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Mini Cooper exterior detail
Mini Cooper headlamp
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Mini Cooper headlamp
Mini Cooper grille
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Mini Cooper grille
Mini Cooper badge
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Mini Cooper badge
Mini Cooper tail lamp
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Mini Cooper tail lamp
Mini Cooper wheel detail
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Mini Cooper wheel detail
Mini Cooper tail pipe detail
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Mini Cooper tail pipe detail
Mini Cooper dash
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Mini Cooper dash
Mini Cooper door detail
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Mini Cooper door detail
Mini Cooper interior
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Mini Cooper interior
Mini Cooper stitching
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Mini Cooper stitching
Mini Cooper interior color scheme
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Mini Cooper interior color scheme
Mini Cooper footplate
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Mini Cooper footplate
Mini Cooper dash detail
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Mini Cooper dash detail
Mini Cooper displaying navigation system
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Mini Cooper displaying navigation system
Mini Cooper gear shift
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Mini Cooper gear shift
Mini Cooper arm rest
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Mini Cooper arm rest
Mini Cooper rear seats
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Mini Cooper rear seats
Mini Cooper front seats
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Mini Cooper front seats
Mini Cooper boot
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Mini Cooper boot
Mini Cooper storage compartment
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Mini Cooper storage compartment
Folding seat
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Folding seat
Folding seat
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Folding seat
Seats folded down
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Seats folded down
Storage area
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Storage area
Storage area showing latchings
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Storage area showing latchings
Folding seat detail
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Folding seat detail
Storage area
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Storage area
Mini Cooper storage area
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Mini Cooper storage area
The new Mini Cooper has newly designed creases
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The new Mini Cooper has newly designed creases
Mini Cooper retains the short overhangs
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Mini Cooper retains the short overhangs
The grille has been pushed back
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The grille has been pushed back
The headlamps have a more wraparound quality
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The headlamps have a more wraparound quality
The Mini Cooper has an optional LED package
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The Mini Cooper has an optional LED package
The tail lamps of the Mini Cooper have been redesigned
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The tail lamps of the Mini Cooper have been redesigned
The Mini Cooper uses the MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology
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The Mini Cooper uses the MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology
The Mini Cooper has a 1.5 liter, 3-cylinder petrol engine
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The Mini Cooper has a 1.5 liter, 3-cylinder petrol engine
The Mini Cooper has a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h)
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The Mini Cooper has a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h)
The Mini Cooper has a standard 6-speed manual gearbox
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The Mini Cooper has a standard 6-speed manual gearbox
The Mini Cooper does 136 bhp (100 kW)
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The Mini Cooper does 136 bhp (100 kW)
The Mini Cooper has electromechanical steering
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The Mini Cooper has electromechanical steering
All the Mini variants have turbocharging
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All the Mini variants have turbocharging
The Mini Cooper debuted in Oxford
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The Mini Cooper debuted in Oxford
The new Mini Cooper uses classic Mini design elements
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The new Mini Cooper uses classic Mini design elements
The new Mini Cooper has been reengineered
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The new Mini Cooper has been reengineered
The new Mini Cooper
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The new Mini Cooper
The new Mini Cooper has a redesigned roof
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The new Mini Cooper has a redesigned roof
The new Mini Cooper sports new chrome surrounds
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The new Mini Cooper sports new chrome surrounds
The new Mini Cooper
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The new Mini Cooper
BMW says the new power plants are cleaner and more efficient
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BMW says the new power plants are cleaner and more efficient
The new Mini Cooper
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The new Mini Cooper
The new Mini Cooper S
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The new Mini Cooper S
The new Mini Cooper S does 146 mph (235 km/h)
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The new Mini Cooper S does 146 mph (235 km/h)
The new Mini Cooper S 29 mm (1.1 in) longer than the other variants
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The new Mini Cooper S 29 mm (1.1 in) longer than the other variants
The new Mini Cooper S produces 192 bhp (141 kW)
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The new Mini Cooper S produces 192 bhp (141 kW)
The new Mini Cooper S is one of three Mini variants
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The new Mini Cooper S is one of three Mini variants
The new Mini Cooper S
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The new Mini Cooper S
The new Mini Cooper S goes on sale in 2014
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The new Mini Cooper S goes on sale in 2014
The new Mini Cooper S's spoiler
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The new Mini Cooper S's spoiler
The new Mini Cooper S headlamp
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The new Mini Cooper S headlamp
The new Mini Cooper S grille
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The new Mini Cooper S grille
The new Mini Cooper S badge
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The new Mini Cooper S badge
The new Mini Cooper S rear badge
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The new Mini Cooper S rear badge
The new Mini Cooper S tail lamp
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The new Mini Cooper S tail lamp
The new Mini Cooper S tailpipes
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The new Mini Cooper S tailpipes
The new Mini Cooper S badge
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The new Mini Cooper S badge
The new Mini Cooper S detail
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The new Mini Cooper S detail
The new Mini Cooper S grille
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The new Mini Cooper S grille
The new Mini Cooper S
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The new Mini Cooper S
The new Mini Cooper S grille badge
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The new Mini Cooper S grille badge
The new Mini Cooper S dashboard
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The new Mini Cooper S dashboard
The new Mini Cooper S rear seats
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The new Mini Cooper S rear seats
The new Mini Cooper S front seats
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The new Mini Cooper S front seats
The new Mini Cooper S stitching
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The new Mini Cooper S stitching
The new Mini Cooper S media controls
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The new Mini Cooper S media controls
The new Mini Cooper S shift
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The new Mini Cooper S shift
The new Mini Cooper S dashboard
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The new Mini Cooper S dashboard
The new Mini Cooper S control details
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The new Mini Cooper S control details
The new Mini Cooper S vent
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The new Mini Cooper S vent
The new Mini Cooper S vent
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The new Mini Cooper S vent
The new Mini Cooper S switches
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The new Mini Cooper S switches
The new Mini Cooper S disc changer
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The new Mini Cooper S disc changer
The new Mini Cooper S door details
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The new Mini Cooper S door details
The new Mini Cooper S footplate
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The new Mini Cooper S footplate
The new Mini Cooper S dashboard
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The new Mini Cooper S dashboard
The new Mini Cooper S interior
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The new Mini Cooper S interior
The new Mini Cooper S front seats
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The new Mini Cooper S front seats
GREEN mode
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GREEN mode
SPORT mode
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SPORT mode
MID mode
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MID mode
Fuel economy readout
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Fuel economy readout
Mode readout
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Mode readout
Pedestrian warning with city braking function
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Pedestrian warning with city braking function
Rear-end collision warning with city braking function.
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Rear-end collision warning with city braking function.
The new Mini Cooper S
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The new Mini Cooper S
The new Mini Cooper S is lighter than previous Minis
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The new Mini Cooper S is lighter than previous Minis
The first Mini debuted in 1959
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The first Mini debuted in 1959
The Mini S debuted in Oxford
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The Mini S debuted in Oxford
The new Mini Cooper S has alloy brakes
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The new Mini Cooper S has alloy brakes
The new Mini Cooper S is turbocharged
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The new Mini Cooper S is turbocharged
The new Mini Cooper S is one of three variants
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The new Mini Cooper S is one of three variants
The new Mini Cooper S does 0 to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds
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The new Mini Cooper S does 0 to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds
The new Mini Cooper S
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The new Mini Cooper S
The new Mini Cooper S's grille has been moved back
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The new Mini Cooper S's grille has been moved back
The new Mini Cooper S has side-curtain air bags
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The new Mini Cooper S has side-curtain air bags
Mini Cooper design prototype
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Mini Cooper design prototype
Designers discussing the Mini Cooper
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Designers discussing the Mini Cooper
Mini Cooper clay mock up
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Mini Cooper clay mock up
Mini Cooper clay mock up
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Mini Cooper clay mock up
Mini Cooper clay mock up
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Mini Cooper clay mock up
Mini Cooper mock up
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Mini Cooper mock up
Designing the Mini Cooper
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Designing the Mini Cooper
Looking at concepts for the new Mini Cooper
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Looking at concepts for the new Mini Cooper
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Threads for interior of the Mini Cooper
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Threads for interior of the Mini Cooper
Mini Cooper design art
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Mini Cooper design art
Mini Cooper design art
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Mini Cooper design art
Mini Cooper design art
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Mini Cooper design art
Mini Cooper design art
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Mini Cooper design art
Mini Cooper interior design art
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Mini Cooper interior design art
British Prime Minister David Cameronwith Peter Schwarzenbauer, BMW Group's board member for MINI, BMW Motorrad, Rolls-Royce, Aftersales BMW Group
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British Prime Minister David Cameronwith Peter Schwarzenbauer, BMW Group's board member for MINI, BMW Motorrad, Rolls-Royce, Aftersales BMW Group
The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
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The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
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The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
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The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
The new Mini Cooper in Oxford
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The new Mini Cooper in Oxford
The new Mini Cooper is a major redesign
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The new Mini Cooper is a major redesign
Mini Cooper in Union Jack livery
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Mini Cooper in Union Jack livery
Three variants were at the premiere
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Three variants were at the premiere
The British transport Secretary was present at the premiere
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The British transport Secretary was present at the premiere
The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
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The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
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The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
The premiere in Oxford marked a major BMW investment
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The premiere in Oxford marked a major BMW investment
Bulldog at the premiere
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Bulldog at the premiere
The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
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The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
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The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
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The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford
The new Mini marks major upgrades at three BMW UK plants
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The new Mini marks major upgrades at three BMW UK plants
The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford before the press
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The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford before the press
A vintage Mini makes an appearance in Oxford
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A vintage Mini makes an appearance in Oxford
View gallery - 177 images

In some ways, the Mini Cooper is a bit like a dog. Most people who remember it as a puppy are rather surprised at how big it has grown. On Monday, at its Oxford plant, BMW presented the world premiere of new Mini line to show off the model’s latest growth spurt and the new technology hidden inside.

If you’re smart, you don’t mess with a classic design. When the Austin Mini hit the roads in 1959, it seemed the perfect little biscuit tin of a car that attracted a cult following as much from its "snappy" styling and short overhangs as from its rock-bottom selling price. When BMW revived the car as the Mini Cooper premium compact, some people thought that it would never fly with the heavier design, and equally heavier price.

Being a car, the Mini Cooper didn't fly, but it did sell ... and sell well. Now for 2014, BMW has decided to roll the dice again with a re-engineered and restyled Mini Cooper that’s the center of a major new investment by the German car maker in its UK manufacturing facilities.

1.5 liter Mini TwinPower Turbo in-line petrol engine
1.5 liter Mini TwinPower Turbo in-line petrol engine

According to BMW, the three new vehicles that make the new Mini line were created using an "evolutionary" design aimed at taking the basic Mini engineering and style elements and tweaking them to create a new Mini that is longer, wider, with more interior space, new safety technology, and networking capability.

The new Mini comes in three variants based on a choice of new engines. There’s the basic Mini Cooper, the more sport-focused Mini Cooper S and the diesel-powered Mini Cooper D. All of these share the same 9.8 cm (3.8 in) increase in length, except the Mini Cooper S, which is 2.9 cm (just over an inch) longer. The width, height, and wheelbase have all been given similar increases in size to preserve the proportions of the original style. Meanwhile, the chassis has been reduced in weight and increased in rigidity.

The new Mini styling keeps the short overhangs, but adds a slightly downward-sloping roofline, flared wheel arches, and some aggressive creasing to accentuate the lines. The hexagonal radiator grille has been moved back toward the front wheels and highlighted with a new one-piece chrome frame.

The Mini Cooper has undergone an "evolutionary" design
The Mini Cooper has undergone an "evolutionary" design

The headlamps are also new with a wrap-around design that makes the front and rear lamps crawl around the cars flanks, wide chrome surrounds, and larger rear lamps. There’s also an optional LED package.

The engines of all three Mini variants use BMW’s new generation MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology, which the company says is cleaner and more efficient than the previous power plant.

The Mini Cooper uses a turbocharged, direct injection 1.5 liter, 3-cylinder petrol engine with fully variable valve control, and variable camshaft control that puts out 136 bhp (100 kW) and 220 Nm (162 ft-lb) of torque. This being a Mini, the 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration clocks in at 7.9 seconds and the top speed is 130 mph (210 km/h). Fuel consumption is rated at 4.5 - 4.6 l/100 km, and carbon dioxide emissions are 105 - 107 g/km.

Mini Connected
Mini Connected

For the Mini Cooper S, there’s a turbocharged, direct injection 2 liter, 4-cylinder petrol engine that also has fully variable valve control, and variable camshaft control. It cranks 192 bhp (141 kW) and 280 Nm (206 ft-lb) of torque. It does a bit better in acceleration at 6.8 seconds and its top speed is 146 mph (235 km/h). Fuel consumption comes in at 5.7 - 5.8 l/100 km and carbon dioxide emissions come out to 133 - 136 g/km.

Under the bonnet of the Mini Cooper D you’ll find a turbocharged, 1.5 liter, 3-cylinder diesel engine with variable turbine geometry, and common rail direct injection for 116 bhp (85 kW) and 270 Nm (199 ft-lb) of torque. It does 0 to 62 mph in 9.2 seconds and has a top speed of 127 mph (205 km/h). Fuel economy is 3.5 - 3.6 l/100 km and it emits 92 - 95 g/ km of carbon dioxide.

Behind each of these engine variants is a 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 6-speed automatic. Both have automatic engine start/stop and there’s an optional Green mode.

Mini Cooper interior
Mini Cooper interior

The new Mini’s suspension consists of a single-joint spring strut axle with an aluminum swivel bearing, and steel axle supports and wishbones. The multilink rear axle is designed for lightweight construction and space-saving geometry. According to BMW, the brakes are designed to enhance driving performance.

Steering on the new Mini is electromechanical with standard Servotronic. Also standard is Dynamic Stability Control with Dynamic Traction Control and Electronic Differential Lock Control. The Mini Cooper S also has Performance Control. Driving modes include MID, SPORT, and GREEN.

In the interior, BMW has completely redesigned the rear seats and come up with something suitable for people who actually have legs by providing a longer seat surface, more shoulder room, and more foot space.

Detail of switches of the Mini Cooper
Detail of switches of the Mini Cooper

The Mini’s switches have been redesigned with the sort of safety features you usually find on spacecraft and nuclear bombers. BMW says that the window switches and handbrake are now easier to reach, with the latter in a more "driver-focused position" to the left of the redesigned center console, which has gone all digital on us.

Where the old central speedometer sat there like a Soviet submarine clock that got lost, there’s now a graphics-based information readout that forms the centerpiece of a dash with a newly-arranged instrument cluster that includes road speed, engine speed, vehicle status, and fuel level. The readout displays the navigation and other infotainment systems and the whole thing includes an LED ring that changes color to provide visual feedback.

Not surprisingly, starting the new Mini doesn't need key insertion and there’s a great big Start toggle on the console. In addition, there’s an optional Head Up Display that provides the driver with essential information and navigation directions without having to look away from the road. There’s also a Driving Assistant, which uses a camera-based active cruise control, as well as a collision and pedestrian warning with initial brake function, high beam assistant and road sign detection, parking assistant, and rear view camera.

The new Mini Cooper S produces 192 bhp (141 kW)
The new Mini Cooper S produces 192 bhp (141 kW)

On the subject of safety, the Mini has a crash-optimized body, side curtain airbags, a run-flat indicator, and a partially active bonnet for pedestrian protection. The new Mini’s Emergency Call and MINI Teleservices system are part of the car’s new networking system that integrates the Mini with a smartphone to provide traffic data, news feeds, and connection to social networks.

The new Mini line is the result of a £750 million (US$1.1 billion) investment by the BMW Group in its three UK manufacturing facilities. According to the company, the Oxford plant, where the Hatch, Convertible, Clubman, Club Van, Roadster and Coupé models are produced, is the third largest car manufacturer and exporter in Britain, accounting for 14 percent of domestic passenger cars and an equal percentage of exports.

BMW says it will deploy 1,000 new robots at Oxford with similar improvements at its other plants in Swindon and Birmingham. This investment also includes upgraded training for employees, involving more than 190 apprentices at BMW’s Group Four production plants.

The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford before the press
The premiere of the new Mini Cooper in Oxford before the press

"In our Oxford plant’s centenary year, we are continuing the Mini brand success story and today starting production of the third model generation," says Harald Krueger, BMW Group’s board member for production. "Our total investment of £750 million in our British production locations of Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall [Birmingham] between 2012 and 2015 underscores the importance of the Mini production triangle within our global production network. The UK is the heart of Mini production – thanks to the experience, competence and strong commitment of all our employees."

The new Mini line goes on sale next spring.

Source: BMW [1], [2]

View gallery - 177 images
20 comments
20 comments
Michael Crumpton
Every year they make them larger and less appealing to the people that want a small car. I'll bet you could almost park the original mini inside of this one if you took out the seats.
Milton
@Michaelc
I totally agree. Mini should go back to its "mini" roots and be competing with Fiat 500, Scion IQ, Chevy Spark, and Smart.
Simon Sammut
At the risk of repeating previous posts..y go bigger? The entire ethos is a small car to throw into corners.... so again...y?
Kiwi Jono
Yes Michael, I mostly agree. I do find it annoying how car manufacturers try to take car owners on an upgrade journey for every model of car that usually involves it getting bigger and more expensive.
That said, I would love one of these!
Chris Winter
POS. The germans need to look at the Fiat 500 and realise that actually, small cute little cars do still sell.
Did they EVER bother to see what the English word "mini" actually means?
bogdan
This is not a "mini". This is a "MINI". This is a like a giant saying his name is MINI. Yes I think too that the original one would fit inside this one. It is ridiculous how carmakers tend to make cars bigger and bigger every year.
L1ma
The Mini Cooper sold for £600 (£7800 in todays money) in 1970 if production had continued would have cost less than £3000 simply due to the fall in production costs due to mass production, the best example was the model T ford $850 in 1909 dropped to $440 in 1919 the reason this changed was accountants and managers decided to market cars with fashon options to enhance short term profitability and compete against similar competing models with branding leading to multitudes of incompatble components on many different models all adding to costs long term. The unions were only partly to blame, in any sane economic system having to retool your production line every 5 years for a new model and to relocate your plant to the cheapest labour/tax country would be considered a symptom of failed management, the costs of which still rack up on the company balance sheet. Contrary to urban legend the Mini was always sold at a profit. The mini instead of being re-modelled was franchised to Morris who sold new variants.
JPAR
The original mini was designed to fit in a box 3m * 1.4m * 1.4m and weighed circa 650kg. The modern rubbish above weighs circa 1,100 kg and is 3.7m * 1.9m * 1.4m.
Clearly there is very little 'mini' in this current car, its simply a BRAND now.
Louis Erasmus
I just think it’s such a pity that the Brits have so willingly relinquished their great brands, the list of them is too long to mention here...
In most cases, the foreign purchasers have breathed new life into these brands.
They have successfully captured their essence in a modern context - something their original owners weren't willing to do. So in the case of the Mini - "Good for you BMW the sales speak for themselves" and to the Brits - "You willingly parted from your great brands – so don’t moan – rather appreciate the great job the Germans, Indians, Malaysians, Chinese and others are doing with your brands" Oh - and they deserve the money too...
bergamot69
The only positive improvement visually is that the front end has become a little less fussy and a little better resolved.
Otherwise it continues to be an overdesigned (in a very contrived way) fashion accessory- particularly if Sir or Madam chooses to fit the tacky 'go faster' stripes or other nasty off-the-shelf 'me too' personalisations.
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