Even though they announced they are not going to make that big of a deal out of unveiling the new car after the first pictures of the 2014 MINI leaked online, the British firm still made quite a fuss about it with teasers and stuff. They were quite excited about the new model, and now that the car is revealed in its full glory, we can see why.
At first glance you may think they haven’t really done anything to the car. It looks the same as before. But look closer and you notice new headlights, different bonnet, new grille, new taillights, and slightly different profile. Redesigning an iconic shape is a very tough job. That’s why they usually stick to tweaking the recipe that has proven successful rather than changing it too drastically.
What you may not notice at first glance is that the 2014 MINI, set for debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week, is significantly bigger than the old model. It is 98 mm longer, 44 mm wider, and 7mm taller, while the wheelbase is increased by 28 mm. What’s more, the front and rear tracks are grown by 42 mm and 34 mm respectively, and the boot has an extra 51 liters of space. Come to think of it, it is not really a Mini anymore! It is however more usable than before.
2014 MINI sees the debut of a new 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 136 hp and 220 Nm of torque. It has an overboost function that increases the torque momentarily to 230. A diesel version of it will also be available with 270 Nm of torque. There is also a 2.0 liter turbo unit powering the Cooper S, developing 190 hp and 280 Nm. That is the sportiest version of the new MINI until the Copper version comes out. You can choose between a 6-speed manual and an auto.
The new MINI also benefits from a revised interior design. While the traditional features such as the big rotary display in the center console remain intact, the whole thing is more logical and more ergonomic. You have the speedometer behind the steering wheel where it belongs, and a large infotainment screen in the dashboard. A parking assist system is also available for the first time. The car’s no longer that mini, after all.
