New Oxford-made ICE 3dr is heavy update of 10-year-old F56
Fourth-generation three-door marries slick design with proven – but reworked – mechanicals
Mini has lifted the curtain on the final combustion-engined iteration of its three-door hatchback, now designated the Cooper – saying it has prioritised “agile handling, driving pleasure, safety and comfort”.
Taking visual inspiration from the 1959 original, the hatch has been the mainstay of the Mini line-up since BMW relaunched the brand in 2000.
The fourth-generation model is all but identical to the new electric three-door visually but entirely unrelated mechanically.
While the electric car is based on a bespoke EV platform, the ICE car is a heavy update of the current model.
Indeed, it will offer the same two turbocharged petrol engines as the third-generation hatch, although with marked rises in output.
The 1.5-litre triple in the entry-level Cooper C gains 20bhp for a total of 154bhp, making it 0.4sec quicker from 0-62mph (taking 7.7sec) but 3.5mpg less economical.
The 2.0-litre four-cylinder in the Cooper S, meanwhile, is boosted by 25bhp to 201bhp. Its 0-62mph time remains at 6.6sec, but that is still quicker than the range-topping electric Cooper SE (6.7sec).
Both cars get an automatic gearbox only. Mini previously said it was “99% sure” that the option of a manual wouldn’t return, having said goodbye to stick-shifts with the John Cooper Works 1to6 special.
Inside, the new petrol three-door features a minimalist dashboard centred on the OLED infotainment display.
This is claimed by Mini to be the first round OLED touchscreen in a production car, hosting critical information about it (such as road speed and fuel economy) at the top and a menu bar at the bottom.
The screen is also used for the bulk of the climate functions, although usefully buttons remain for the front and rear window demisters.
The gear selector has been relocated from the centre console to a panel below the screen, alongside the handbrake button, turn-key starter, driving mode selector and audio control dial.
Boot space is rated at 210 litres, down a single litre on the current three-door hatch but still 25 litres up on the rival Fiat 500 Hybrid (£16,790).
The Cooper C is priced from £22,300 (RRP), on a par with the current entry-level Cooper. The Cooper S benefits from a price cut, falling from £27,555 (RRP) to £26,700.
For reference, the electric Cooper E and Cooper SE are priced from £31,945 and £33,445 (OTR).
Customer deliveries of the new petrol models are due to begin in the spring.
Five-door hatchbacks and a John Cooper Works three-door will follow by the end of the year and a new soft-top Convertible is expected to arrive in 2025.
Source: Autocar
