MINI has thrown the sheets of its new three-door, petrol-powered Cooper hatchback.
And not only does it come with overhauled styling, all models have been given significantly more power.
Late last year, MINI unveiled the fully-electric MINI Cooper, which arrived with a minimalist look and octagonal front grille.
That design has now been carried over to the traditionally-fuelled Cooper hatch, to the point where battery-powered and petrol models are barely discernible.
Prices for the petrol MINI Cooper begin at just £22,300 to buy outright, with first deliveries arriving in the spring of 2024.
The bad news is that the famous bonnet air scoop on pocket-rocket Cooper S models looks to have been jettisoned - boo - but here’s hoping it’s retained on the range-topping John Cooper Works variants, which are yet to be unveiled.
There’s also no option of a manual gearbox with this latest MINI - all are automatics.
But the good news is that all variants now come with more shove than before.
When it comes to picking your petrol MINI Cooper engine and trim level, it works like this.
You first pick your powertrain - either the 1.5-litre ‘Cooper C’ (the new name for the entry-level engine) or the 2.0-litre Cooper S.
The Cooper C models get power of 156 hp - an increase from the old, standard Cooper’s 136 hp - while Cooper S versions now get oomph of 204 hp, which is well up on the outgoing Cooper S’s power output of 178 hp.
It means the Cooper C can whip from 0-62mph in just 7.7 seconds, while the 2024 Cooper S takes just 6.6 seconds to make the same sprint.
As well as choosing your powertrain, lease customers will also then need to select the trim - with ‘Classic’, ‘Exclusive’ and ‘Sport’ up for grabs for each of the two engines.
The Classic level offers a ‘purist’ and ‘reduced overall appearance’ compared with other models, says MINI, while the Executive trim adds 17-inch alloys.
Meanwhile the Sport trim offers ‘Sports Transmission’ with shift paddles on the steering wheel, a distinctive front and rear design featuring a high-gloss black hexagonal patterned grill surround and logo, a rear spoiler with airblades, and 18-inch John Cooper Works two-tone alloys as standard.
There are seven new ‘MINI Experience Modes’ - aka drive modes - to toggle through; Core, Green, Go-Kart, Personal, Vibrant, Timeless and Balance. And they don’t just change the car’s throttle response, each mode also has its own unique dashboard display and colour.
Just like the Cooper electric, the cabin of the petrol-driven Cooper is dominated by a new 9.4-inch OLED touchscreen and fully-connected infotainment system. Say, ‘Hello MINI!’ and your own personal voice assistant, a dog called ‘Spike’, will pop-up, too.
There’s a textile surface on the dash and an optional head-up display.
And because there’s no need for a traditional gear stick - because there’s no option of a manual transmission - there’s extra space for a new wireless charging shelf on the centre console.
The boot remains as modest as ever, at 210 litres, which can be expanded to 725 litres by folding down the rear seats.
Meanwhile you can also expect a full suite of driver assistance and safety tech, with danger-detecting software such as the ‘Safe Exit’ function fitted as standard.
The new three-door MINI Cooper hatchback should be available to order as a lease vehicle in the coming days, so we’ll keep you posted.
In the meantime, you can lease the current MINI Cooper from just £268 per month*.
*Prices include VAT. Credit is Subject to Status, Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Stock levels and prices correct as of 07/02/24.
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