First look: BMW's next Mini!

PERHAPS wary of more "unauthorised" leaks of its new models, BMW has started to drip-feed details of the new Mini, due out later this year.

The second-generation Mini will be available with a choice of two new Euro IV-compliant 1.6-litre engines mated to new six-speed manual gearboxes, a vastly upgraded interior, and evolutionary body design with pedestrian friendly bonnet.

A six-speed automatic will also be available.

Although new, the Mini’s iconic shape has been largely retained but gains a longer wheelbase and slightly wider body.

It retains the proportions of the old car but is 60mm longer, benefiting cabin space.

Apart from the standard two-door hatch and a cabrio, BMW is also working on a longer wheelbase Mini Traveller based on the concept car revealed at last year’s Frankfurt motor show.

The Traveller will feature "barn-style" rear doors and suicide doors for easier access to the cabin.

From the side, the new Mini is still dominated by a flat roof, glazing all round the passenger cell, extremely short body overhangs both front and rear, and extra-large wheels.

Inside the car’s existing cabin and dashboard have been refined. The centre speedo has been retained and the customary toggle switches are also carried over but are also now in the roof lining.



The conventional ignition key, in turn, has been replaced by an electronic signal transmitter enabling the driver to start the engine simply by pressing the start/stop button while the electro-mechanical power steering has a "sports" mode, which also sharpens accelerator response.

Replacing the low-tech old 1.6-litre naturally aspirated and supercharged four-cylinder engines will be a new twin-cam, aluminium alloy Valvetronic four cylinder or turbocharged four, both jointly developed with the Peugeot-Citroen PSA group in France.

The Cooper engine develops 88kW at 6000rpm and 160Nm at 4250rpm while a the Cooper S gets a direct injection turbocharged four.

The Cooper S develops 128kW at 5500rpm and 240Nm from 1600rpm.

Both of engines are from a new family of fours with two chain-driven overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Both the block and cylinder head are aluminium alloy. Economy is said to be 10 per cent better across the board.

Turbocharging is provided by an elaborately designed twin-scroll turbocharger fed with a separate flow of exhaust gas from two cylinders each.

Benefiting from this configuration, the turbocharger cuts in from low engine speeds and BMW claims turbo-lag has been almost completely eliminating.

The front suspension is McPherson with equal length drive shafts while the rear is a central arm rear axle with aluminium components. The Cooper S will also gain a limited slip differential.

Both models will be available with a sports suspension comprising even firmer springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars. Like the current car the Mini will have a high level of safety with six airbags, ABS, traction control and a strong safety cell.

The front brakes are 280mm vented disc brakes, 294mm on the Cooper S, while the rear discs are 259mm.

The Cooper will come with standard 15-inch alloys while the Cooper S features 16-inch alloys on runflat tyres.

The new Mini is expected to go on sale here early next year.