Same money for new MINI

The "MINI BMW wanted to build" will be priced at just over $30K when it becomes available early next month.

Pricing for the all-new R56 MINI range starts with the naturally-aspirated Cooper model for $31,100, equipped with a 1.6-litre engine rated at 88kW/160Nm. The updates provide an increase of 3kW and 10Nm over the previous generation engine, says MINI, but with better fuel economy, using 5.8lt/100km. The Cooper model also now gets automatic stability and traction control as standard.

The MINI Cooper S, which starts at $39,900, is now boosted by a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel-injection. The new Cooper S also boasts improvements in output and efficiency, with 128kW/240Nm -- a rise of 3kW and 20Nm -- and using 20 per cent less fuel at 6.9lt/100km. MINI also says emissions are 21 per cent lower.

Top speed for the Cooper S is now 225km/h and the model offers an 'Overboost' function which provides a short burst of additional thrust boosts torque to 260Nm between 1700-4500rpm. The new Cooper S with manual costs $1000 more than the outgoing model.

Both the Cooper and Cooper S models come standard with a six-speed manual Getrag gearbox. A new Aisin six-speed automatic, with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, is available for $2200 extra.

That's the figures out of the way. As we discovered on the international launch (read here) the new MINI is in fact a good deal better than the outgoing model. Don't let the looks fool you -- there's barely a part or panel shared across the two generations and underneath, apart from the two new powerplants, the latest MINI has revised suspension, new steering and bigger brakes. Inside the interior has had a serious upgrade and refinement overall has been stepped up more than a notch.

It's bigger to boot. Though the wheelbase is unaltered, the new generation car is almost 60mm longer -- 38mm of that at the pointy end. The front end's also taller and a little more bluff -- the base of the windscreen is 20mm higher than the current car, for instance.

The 'Chilli' upgrade comes at a $3600 premium, which includes the exterior Chrome Line package, cloth/leather combination 'Ray' upholstery for the Sport seats, high-output 10-speaker stereo, velour floor mats, front fog lights, and 5 Star Blaster 16-inch alloy wheels for the Cooper model.

The MINI Cooper S Chilli further adds Bi-Xenon headlights, even firmer Sport suspension (optional), Crown Spoke 17-inch alloy wheels and automatic climate control, but deletes the exterior Chrome Line package.

Look out for our local launch review of the all-new MINI later this week.


MINI Cooper
 $31,100 (manual)
 $33,300 (automatic)

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