New Mini Cooper 5-Door here in Q4

MINI has announced details of its new petrol-powered Cooper 5-Door hatch due here in Q4 complementing the recently introduced 3-Door version sharing many of that model’s underpinnings and other components.

No pricing is available at the moment, but the new Cooper 5-Door replaces an existing model that sells from $42,300 excluding on-road costs for the entry level Classic variant.

It will be up against a slew of competitors in the light car segment not the least being the new MG 3 Hybrid+ that sells for less than $30k + ORC in top spec and others such as Audi’s A1 from $36,200 + ORC, Hyundai i20N from $34,990 + ORC, Polo GTi from $40,390 + ORC and the new Suzuki Swift hybrid from just $24,490 drive-away.

But Mini seems confident the Cooper 5-Door will ring a bell with customers saying it is “characterised by the brand's typical driving fun, extended space, and distinctive functionality.”

It places a lot of stock in the “unique design, a combination of tradition and modern, purist styling - and innovative assistance systems.”

Like the current model, the new Cooper 5-Door is available with a choice of two turbo petrol engines in 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre capacities which contribute the hallmark Mini “go-kart drive feel”.

The 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine in the C grade generates 115 kW/230Nm while the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the S grade generates 150kW/300Nm.

The newcomer is roughly the same size as the current model at 4036mm long by 1744mm wide by 1464mm high, dimensions Mini reckons create as much space as possible on a small footprint.

It is rated as a five seater partially due to the longer body (+172mm) and longer wheelbase (+72mm) compared with the Mini Cooper 3-Door. The Cooper 5-Door retains characteristic Mini styling cues such as the short overhangs, clear surfaces and expressive accents that “give the new Mini Cooper 5-Door its unmistakable charisma”.

Sharp steering and powerful brakes ensure a high level of driving fun, safety, and comfort and combine with a small turning circle of 11.4 metres to make the Cooper 5-Door a handy city car.

Dynamics are aided by preloaded anti-roll bar mounts on the axles to ensure balanced body handling during fast cornering. They also aid steering precision and accuracy and contribute to body support as well as smooth rolling comfort.

Selective tuning of the steering and all stability control systems ensures an “exceptional” experience in all driving situations. The model features an adaptive suspension with frequency-selective damping system is available for particularly sporty driving.

Mini has increased the newcomer’s tyre diameter emphasising the car’s stance in rim sizes ranging from 16 to 18-inches.

Additional functionality is provided by the wide interior at the rear that accommodates three passengers that fold 60:40 to increase the luggage compartment capacity from 275 litres to up to 925 litres.

The design language of the Cooper 5-Door represents a continuation of that established years ago when BMW took control of the brand.

It is distinctive and has been refined over time for better ergonomics, space efficiency and new technology while retaining that essential Mini look witha wheel at eah corner, a small bonnet, a long wheelbase on the 5-Door, and large wheels.

The combination of the above makes it easy and comfortable to manoeuvre even in tight space, with plenty of room for all passengers.

The front is described by Mini as having a “focus” the new generation also featuring Mini’s characteristic round headlights together with an octagonal grille to form “the Mini face”.

It is equipped with LED headlights as standard with individually adjustable daytime running light elements with an optional light signature available in three versions to emphasise the character of the vehicle. 

At the rear, the Cooper 5 Door reveals clear surfaces and flush-fitting taillights with vertically aligned LED clusters reminiscent of the classic Mini lights and, like the headlights, can be switched to different settings. The Cooper 5-Door’s horizontal alignment emphasises its broad stance.

It is available in eleven body colours with a choice of three contrasting multi tone roof colours featuring a gradual colour gradient.

The car can be personalised through four different exterior trims.

The standard Essential trim, emphasises the minimalist overall appearance and highlights certain functional parts such as the logo in silver.

From the Classic trim up the roof is available in black or white, as is the multi-tone roof with its colour gradient.

In the Favoured trim version, the front radiator grille frame and certain design elements are finished in silver, enhancing the car’s individuality.

The JCW trim emphasises the sporty side of the Cooper 5-Door with “exclusive” design features such as front and rear diffusers, radiator grille surround and high-gloss black JCW logo. Chili Red is available exclusively for the contrasting roof.

The car’s interior references the brand’s history and is equipped with digital and technical innovations and features what Mini calls an immersive user experience taking it into new territory in terms of comfort and convenience.

Mini describes it as minimalist and immersive centred on a round instrument in the middle of the dash with a characteristic toggle switch strip below. The two elements inform the structure of the cockpit in Cooper 5-Door.

Minimalism dictates an interior with fewer components, which, in the Cooper 5-Door are cleverly designed and manufactured to a high standard.

Behind the steering wheel, the combined head-up display provides relevant content in the driver's field of vision resulting in a dashboard that does not require an additional instrument panel on the driver’s side opening the view to the front.

Innovative materials are used for the upholstery, touch points and fascia that give a feel-good atmosphere to the interior.

The central OLED display in the redesigned cockpit has been moved closer to the driver, making it easier to reach and access Mini Operating System 9 which enables all vehicle functions to be controlled intuitively by touch or voice.

Seven Experience Modes can be selected according to mood and personal preference to “characterise” the interior atmosphere through lighting, colours and images.

In Go-kart mode, for example, the display and interior are dominated by the John Cooper Works signature charcoal grey and red.

The four trim choices are available in “high-quality, environmentally friendly materials” such as knitted recycled polyester surfaces on the dashboard and door trim.

A voice assistant “Hey Mini” makes an appearance in the new Cooper 5-Door while the new Mini OS9 combines functional and emotional elements, the design reduced to create a modern look based on new graphics.

OS9 is a development of the BMW Group, is intuitive and follows standards that are familiar from the consumer electronics sector.

A range of driver assistant features is fitted to the Cooper 5 Door facilitated by 12 ultrasonic sensors and four surround view cameras that are said to be particularly adept at parking the new model.

Pricing details will be available closer to the local launch of the Mini Cooper 5-Door in Q4 this year.