The all-new, all-electric MINI Cooper could symbolize a brand new daybreak for the trendy British model, however in case you miss the efficiency and sound of an inside combustion engine, don’t fear – you may nonetheless get the traditional three-door hatchback with petrol energy with this newest mannequin.

There’s a catch, nevertheless. This may occasionally appear to be the electrical mannequin proven in September – developed in partnership with GWM, let’s not overlook – however it’s something however. In reality, the petrol model (codenamed F66) is constructed on the bones of the present F56 MINI Hatch, albeit closely revised to suit the brand new MINI design language. That is really the third such facelift for the mannequin.

Regardless of this, the designers have accomplished a outstanding job transplanting the EV’s minimalist seems. The petrol MINI Cooper sports activities that automotive’s simplified LED headlights (with horizontal daytime working lights as customary and customisable variations with an illuminated outer ring on the non-obligatory upgraded models), giant hexagonal body-coloured grille and triangular “matrix” LED taillights. MINI has even eliminated the aspect “scuttles” and visual exhaust pipes which have hitherto been key options of the hatch’s design.

However look intently and also you’ll be capable to spot the variations that time to this being a warmed-over F56. These embody the clamshell bonnet (the electrical mannequin makes use of a traditional one), the rings surrounding the headlights, the fairly outdated pull-style door handles and the continued use of plastic physique cladding. Nonetheless, it’s a profitable redesign in our eyes – one which papers over the excesses of the overwrought 2021 facelift.

Inside, the petrol MINI Cooper continues to borrow closely from its electrical sibling. It’s been cleaned up, with a lot of the automotive’s capabilities (sure, together with the instrument cluster and the local weather controls, sadly) now grouped into the 9.4-inch OLED round centre touchscreen. It runs on the newest Android-based MINI Working System 9 and options Spike, a 3D visualisation of the automotive’s “Hey MINI” voice management.

You additionally get a fabric-wrapped dashboard; the non-obligatory MINI Expertise Modes provides two projectors behind the infotainment show that tasks totally different graphics on the sprint relying on the mode chosen. Under the touchscreen sits the toggles for the gear and drive mode selectors, together with the twist-style engine starter. The standard gear lever has as a substitute been changed by a Qi wi-fi charger.

Except for the revamped upholstery selections and the brand new steering wheel (with a material centre spoke), the petrol MINI Cooper remains to be recognisably the identical automotive. It’s nonetheless a strict four-seater and the boot nonetheless measures a tiny 210 litres, though you may fold the 60:40-split rear seats to get a complete cargo capability of 725 litres.

Underneath the bonnet, you’ll discover the identical (however uprated) selection of 1.5 litre B38 turbocharged three-cylinder and a pair of.0 litre B48 four-cylinder engines, badged the MINI Cooper C and MINI Cooper S respectively. The previous produces 156 PS and 230 Nm of torque, will get from zero to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and delivers a gas consumption determine of between 5.9 and 6.5 litres per 100 km.

The MINI Cooper S, in the meantime, pumps out 204 PS and 300 Nm, sufficient to see off the century dash in 6.6 seconds; gas consumption is rated at between 6.1 and 6.7 litres per 100 km. No particulars on the gearbox however it’s seemingly the 2 fashions retain the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission of the earlier automotive.

Elsewhere, the petrol MINI Cooper can now be had with Stage 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities as a part of the Driving Assistant Plus package deal, due to a radar sensor (the smallest ever fitted to a BMW Group automotive) on the brand new grille. Important, Basic, Favoured and JCW trim ranges shall be provided, with choices together with a Spray-Tech graduated three-colour roof on the Favoured mannequin.

The three-door hatch received’t be the one physique fashion made out there on the newest petrol MINI Cooper. It’s already been confirmed the automotive will spawn five-door and convertible variants, identical to the present automotive.

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