You weren’t supposed to see it for another
few months, but the all-new third-generation MINI has been revealed completely
undisguised.
These sensational pictures were snapped on
our spy photographer’s long lens while the car was taking part in an official
photoshoot. They show three-door Cooper and Cooper S versions from all angles,
in a variety of different colors.
Three-door
Cooper and Cooper S versions from all angles, in a variety of different colors
All the familiar MINI styling cues are
present – including blacked-out pillars, a ‘floating’ roof, bonnet stripes and
round headlights but there are some significant changes, too. Those circular
lights are now framed by an LED ‘corona’ ring – first seen on the 2011
Rocketman concept.
The Cooper S still gets a unique air scoop
in the bonnet. And the Rocketman-inspired front grille is now much larger with
an integrated bumper and slimmer intake underneath. A more steeply raked windscreen
and a narrower glass area give the car a slightly sportier profile.
At the rear, bigger tail-lights cut into
the bootlid as on the Paceman, while the MINI badge has moved from the body to
the chrome strip above the number plate. The bumper finisher lower down, too,
wrapping around the twin tailpipes on the Cooper S. The new MINI will be the
first car to use the modular UKL1 front-wheel-drive architecture, which will
underpin up to 20BMWs and MINIs in the coming years. As a result, the new MINI
will grow and offer more room than its predecessor. It’s also expected to be
available as a five-door hatch.
All
the familiar MINI styling cues are present including blacked-out pillars, a
‘floating’ roof, bonnet stripes and round headlights but there are some
significant changes, too.
The versatility of the UKL1 platform - which
can be configure with a choice of wheelbases, widths and heights – means there
will be more spin-off models than ever before.
The Countryman, Paceman, Clubman, Coupe and
Roadster will all be replaced, but further models – such as an even larger
version of the Countryman are expected to join the range.
"new
car is set to grow slightly and offer more space than its predecessor"
A new family of 1.5-litre three-cylinder
petrol and diesel engines are also tipped to make their debut in the MINI,
before crossing over into the BMW range, Faster models such as the Cooper S and
John Cooper Works will stick with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder,
however.
The new MINI is expected to be launched at
the LA Motor Show in November – the same month that full production begins at
the Oxford plant – ahead of an early 2014 on-sale date.
