The fifth-generation MINI Cooper has made its debut with an all-new design that the corporate says sees a “maximum reduction to the essentials.” Still a three-door hatchback, the most recent Cooper is being introduced with two electric powertrains.
Specializing in the outside first, the brand new Cooper maintains a well-recognized profile but you’ll notice a few of the details seen on its predecessor have been removed, including the fender flares and side scuttles. MINI’s characteristic three-part paint scheme with different hues for the vehicle body, window area and roof are brought back, accompanied by flush door handles that contribute to the low drag coefficient of 0.28.
On the front, the Cooper sports a brand new octagonal-shaped grille with a Vibrant Silver surround in addition to circular headlamps that now not include chrome trim. The latter features distinctive daytime running light elements which include a hoop around each cluster in addition to two horizontal bars on cars specified with the Essential Trim.
As an option, the daytime running lights may be switched to create three adjustable light signatures, and all light modes have a welcome and goodbye animation. On the rear, the triangular taillights also include different lighting modes just like the headlamps. Rounding off the simplified exterior is black trim that runs along the underside of the bumpers and sides of the vehicle.
Along with the Essential Trim, there’s also the Favoured Trim that features an optional Spray-Tech design of the multi-tone roof with a mixture of three different colors. There’s also the John Cooper Works (JCW) Trim that comes with more distinguished front and rear ends, together with a high-gloss black grille frame and logo in addition to bonnet stripes in red or black.
Inside, the redesigned Cooper looks to the classic Mini designed by Alec Issigonis for inspiration, with the standout item being a round 9.4-inch OLED touchscreen on the dashboard that also doubles because the instrument cluster. The carmaker refers back to the display because the MINI Interaction Unit, and it’s powered by MINI Operating System 9 that provides a myriad of configurability.
No matter what’s being display on screen, be it a speedometer, map or any of the available widgets, drivers will at all times have on-screen buttons for navigation, media, phone and climate functions. There are also seven MINI Experience Modes that every have a particular user interface design that also affects the lighting contained in the vehicle.
While most vehicle functions are accessed via the touchscreen, MINI has retained the toggle bar that now accommodates the gear selector, engine start turn key, experience mode toggle and volume control. With no gear lever, the centre console gets an enlarged cup holders and open storage compartment, with a wireless charger positioned on the front.
Depending on the chosen trim, the inside is wearing a wide range of upholsteries and panel surfaces, including textile options for the primary time. A head-up display can also be available for those who prefer not to regulate your vision every time to understand how fast you’re going, and you possibly can minimise physically touching the display by engaging with the MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant.
An element of MINI Operating System 9, the voice recognition system responds to ‘Hey MINI!’ and allows driver to manage quite a few functions using their voice. That is visually represented by a stylised MINI logo or a virtual companion referred to as ‘Spike’.
The infotainment software is predicated on an Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack and may be updated with recent features over time. Connected services are a part of the software suite because of optional 5G connectivity, together with in-car gaming through the AirConsole app.
On the motive force assistance side, 12 ultrasonic sensors and 4 surround-view cameras support the Cooper’s Parking Assistant and optional Parking Assistant Plus systems. There’s also the same old suite of autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and other functions available. One feature MINI is keen to indicate is Distant 360 that lets owners see the environment of a parking vehicle and even the inside because of a camera contained in the cabin.
When it comes to powertrains, the range includes the front-wheel drive MINI Cooper E and MINI Cooper SE – the previous MINI Electric only got here in a single variant. The specifications for the brand new all-electric MINI Cooper are as follows:
MINI Cooper E
- Electric motor output: 184 PS (181 hp or 135 kW) and 290 Nm
- Battery capability: 40.7 kWh
- 0-100 km/h time: 7.3 seconds
- WLTP range: 305 km
MINI Cooper SE
- Electric motor output: 218 PS (215 hp or 160 kW) and 330 Nm
- Battery capability: 54.2 kWh
- 0-100 km/h time: 6.7 seconds
- WLTP range: 402 km
For charging, each versions support a maximum AC input of 11 kW in addition to DC fast charging, the latter being as much as 75 kW for the Cooper E and 95 kW for the Cooper SE. MINI says with a compatible DC charger, the batteries of the 2 will get from a 10-80% state of charge in slightly below half-hour.
If we compare the Cooper E to the previous-generation MINI Electric we’ve got here, the brand new model more torque (+20 Nm), more range (+73 km) and more DC charging capability (+25 kW). These gains are more substantial when the Cooper SE is brought in for comparison, offering much more power, range and DC charging capability.
What do you’re thinking that of the all-new MINI Cooper? Does the brand new design give you the results you want? Do the improved powertrains make it more appealing than its predecessor? Share your thoughts with us within the comments below.
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This Article First Appeared At paultan.org
