BMW previews new Mini
Newswheel staff :: 27 July 2006 :: Filed under Hatchback, Mini, Europe & UK, US
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Déjà vu
All-new Mini. Same old styling. Eighty hacks from across the globe gathered at the Zanvoort race track in Holland at the weekend to sample the delights of BMW’s second generation Mini. Despite a light smattering of body-coloured camo, it’s clear that BMW is playing it super-safe with the styling of the latest Mini…
Really rather familiar - but every panel is new
Of course, given the cracking success of the current BMW Mini, a conservative refresh rather than all-round revolution was always on the cards. Nevertheless, not a single panel has survived unchanged and close inspection reveals a raft of detail tweaks. The clamshell bonnet, for instance, remains. But the headlamps are now fixed to the internal front wing assembly. The car’s waistline has also been raised, giving the glasshouse a slightly narrower look.
Overall, BMW Mini Mark II is 60mm longer. If you’re wondering whether that translates into a meatier Mini, the answer is yes, but only by 10kg. That’s either an impressive achievement in the context of the hundreds of kilos the latest superminis from the likes of Peugeot and Vauxhall have added. Or a bit of a let down following rumours that the new car would actually be lighter.
Handles like a go-kart? Pope, poo, bear, woods, pray. Whatever
As for engines, suspension, steering and brakes, it’s all new from the ground up. As before, the new Mini is independently suspended with MacP’ struts up front and a central-arm rear axle, but the rear suspension is lighter than before thanks to aluminium longitudinal arms. Steering is via an electrically assisted rack.
The new Mini’s poweplant, meanwhile, is already fairly familiar. The result of a joint venture with PSA Peugeot Citroen (and recently fitted to the new Peugeot 207), it comes complete with BMW’s Valvetronic infinitely variable valve lift and timing tech. For now, BMW has announced two engine spec levels – the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated Cooper, good for 120bhp and 118lb/ft, and the turbo-charged Cooper S, again displacing 1.6-litres, but adding direct injection along with forced induction. The net result is 175bhp and 177lb/ft. An even more powerful Cooper S Works is a dead cert for later in 2007.
Valvetronic 1.6-litre four-pot shared with PSA Peugeot Citroen
But what of the Mini’s traditionally cramped cabin? Well, although chief designer Gert Hildebrand reckons the latest car is a case of an evolutionary exterior hiding a revolutionary interior, he declined to divulge any specifics regarding interior space. It’s unlikely that BMW has performed miracles: look elsewhere for the most efficient interior packaging. Whatever, cars at the Dutch press event sported interiors covered in thick camouflage cladding, but the large central speedo and traditional toggle switches remain. Inside and out, new Mini is a dead ringer for old.
The spec list is rounded out with an acronym-infested jungle of chassis and safety electrotrickery, including ABS brakes, EBD Electronic Brake Force Distribution, CBC Cornering Brake Control, Brake Assistant…pause for breath…ASC+T Automatic Stability Control + Traction control (deactivation is possible) and DSC Dynamic Stability Control. It even offers a new Hill Assist function which uses the brakes to prevent car rolling back when driver attempts to pull away. Oh, and there’s curtain airbags in the roofliner, side bags in the front seats along with the usual dash- and steering wheel-mounted bags.
Finally, the Cooper rolls on modest 175/65 15-inch boots as standard, while the S gets 195-section 16-inchers. A 17-inch upgrade is optional, but all use the dreaded ride-ruining run-flat technology that BMW appears ever more committed to.
For a video of the new Mini being thrashed around the Zandvoort track, hop on over to Mini enthusiast website Mini2.com.
Posted 16 January 2007, by Vorris
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