BMW Mini: Third-generation unveiled with more power

BMW unveiled a more fuel efficient, third-generation version of its iconic Mini on Monday, as the world’s biggest luxury carmaker looks to retain its leadership in the lucrative high-end compact car market.

Production of the new Mini will start later this week and it will go on sale in Britain early next year. It will be based on a brand new BMW-engineered platform called UKL1.

The small, fast and affordable original Mini was hugely popular when it first went on sale in 1959 and has been a big success story for BMW since it revived the brand in 2001, growing sales volumes by 21 percent to more than 285,000 cars last year.

It has also seen an influx of competitors into the high-end compact car sector in recent years such as Fiat’s 500 and Opel’s Adam, which are courting environmentally-conscious city dwellers in want of easy-to-park vehicles.

The new three-door hatch is “completely new from the ground up” with evolutionary styling and increased dimensions resulting in improved cabin and boot space. A range of new three-cylinder engines features a 1.5-liter three-cylinder gasoline unit in the Cooper rated at 134 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, and a 1.5-liter three-pot diesel in the Cooper D good for 114 hp and 199 lb-ft.

The range-topping Cooper is motivated by a new 2.0-liter four-pot that generates 189 hp and 206 lb-ft. All engines are turbocharged and mated to a choice of three all-new transmissions: a six-speed manual as standard, an optional six-speed automatic and a sports version of the auto with shorter shift times and paddle shifters. Other engines will follow including a high-powered diesel for the Cooper SD and a potent variant of the Cooper S’ engine for the JCW. Underpinning the entire new Mini range is a new BMW-developed platform called UKL1, which supports all-wheel drive as well as hybrid and electric drivetrains, and will be used on upcoming front-wheel-drive BMWs.

Although the new platform has altered the Mini’s proportions and front overhang, the design is immediately recognizable as the new Mini with more unique front and rear fasciae and distinctive circular headlights featuring a ring of LED lights. A circular theme continues to dominate the interior, which comes with an 8.8-inch infotainment screen and high-quality trim. For the first time, the Mini comes with adaptive dampers with Variable Damper Control offering Comfort and Sport. 15-inch alloys come as standard, the Cooper S gets 16s, and 18 inches come as an option.