Total overhaul inside and out retains and improves MINI’s much-loved style and iconography. MINI’s look is a huge influence on the car’s sales success and premium brand position. From day one, the new Mini was instantly recognisable. 2,000 days later, it still appears fresh and relevant on UKroads. What’s more, MINI’s design, and the potential to personalise that design, is cited by owners as a fundamental reason for purchasing the car. It is clear, therefore, that the new generation is not the time for revolution.

Evolution was the priority when, in 2002, the decision to introduce the second generation was taken. At that stage, it was already clear that MINI’s home would need expanding to satisfy demand. What’s more 2006 was predicted to herald new pedestrian safety and emissions legislation. An early re-design just five years after the car went on sale was seen as the most productive resolution.

The external design of the new Mini has remained true to its phenomenally successful forebear, yet every body panel is different and there are more opportunities for customisation than ever before with 337 possible exterior combinations.

An all-new interior mixes MINI’s unique style with improved quality and greater comfort, there is more usable space for both front and rear Seat occupants. Owners will be able to choose from an even wider range of colours, interior specifications and options in order to personalise their car. There are 264 possible interior colour and trim combinations.

New pedestrian safety legislation also challenged the design team. But they were able to incorporate all the latest regulations by increasing the footprint of the car by just the length of a packet of chewing gum (60mm Mini Cooper; 61mm Cooper S). This increase was counteracted visually by developing more rounded contours at the rear corners. Vitally, the short front and rear overhangs remain.

Exterior

Reasons to be cheerful

From the man on the street to the man in the design studio, all indications were that retaining MINI’s existing design, but with modifications to every body panel, would be a winning solution for the next generation.
Early presentations of the new Mini to groups of Mini and non-MINI owners confirmed that there would be little benefit in fixing something that clearly ‘ain’t broke’. The general conclusion from Mini owners was one of relief that the design retained the same classic look, but with a slightly more muscular appearance.

Non-MINI owners meanwhile focused in more on the retention of design ‘iconography’’ that had been passed down from classic Mini and reinterpreted by new Mini at the turn of the century. In particular, the flat contrast roof, the glass surround, and the rear light clusters.

Emma Lowndes, Mini UKmarketing manager, confirmed why evolution was considered preferable to revolution: “Since the new Mini arrived in 2001 we have worked hard to get to know our Mini owners. It became very clear, very quickly that design was high up on their list of priorities. Our customers tell us that MINI’s style and design is by far and away the number one reason for purchase. Twice as influential as the second reason.”

Gert Hildebrand, MINI’s chief designer outlined his team’s thought processes that were their inspiration from the moment the second generation new Mini was confirmed.

“The philosophy was one of continuity. In terms of exterior design, the new Mini is an evolution of its predecessor,” he said.

The objective in creating this Mini was to make highlights of MINI’s distinctive and classical details. These have been simplified and purified to give the new car even greater clarity and consistency. To this end, the entire car has been re-designed and its characteristic shape authentically updated.”

New design top to bottom, roof to rim

The result of this focus on what is distinctive and significant about Mini did not result in a re-design of the whole of the exterior; the Mini badge remains the same!

But apart from one of the world’s most iconic brand logos, 100 per cent of the remaining exterior body parts are new.

From the front

Looking at the car from the front, Mini has placed a focus on the headlights, radiator grille and bonnet. MINI’s headlights are one-of-a-kind. Incorporated into the bonnet on the first generation, they are now fixed onto the body, which makes servicing and maintenance easier and facilitates a re-design. As the bonnet shape has been tweaked, so the clear glass headlights have been turned slightly to the outside to retain the proven geometry of the car’s front end. The front indicators are now housed within the headlight unit and Mini now brightens up the road with a more powerful dipped and full-beam.

The revised radiator grille and air intakes fulfil a number of design and performance functions.

The radiator grille on the outgoing car was visually ‘split’ through the middle by the shut line of bonnet and lower sill. On the new model, this hexagonal and horizontally-biased shaped unit is designed to be self-contained at the top of the bumper. It both emphasises MINI’s width and dynamic abilities and tips a bit more of a wink to the face of the classic car.

The front views are subtly differentiated between the models. The edges of the Cooper air intakes swing up slightly to present a more cheerful face in the rear view mirror of the car in front. Meanwhile, the radiator grille on the Mini One is black, chrome on the Mini Cooper and Cooper D and a sporty-looking black honeycomb grille for the Mini Cooper S.

MINI Cooper D has a slightly higher bonnet than the other models to accommodate the engine. The larger lower air intake with a body colour crossbar across also differentiates it from the range.

MINI Cooper S stands out from the other models with a more defined bonnet. This bulging bonnet, with its vestigial air scoop, offers more space for the new turbo-charged engine, and also signifies the extra power that lies beneath.

MINI exterior designer, Marcus Syring, explained the thinking behind the retention of the ‘classic’ Cooper S front-end: “The muscular bonnet on the S, with its visually emotive air scoop, was a key contributor to this model’s appeal. Sure, the new S does not need the scoop, but with turbo power beneath it needs more space in the engine bay and the scoop still shouts about the S’s power and performance. In that respect, we believe it remains an authentic piece of Mini design.”

Side on

The new MINI’s side view continues the theme presented at the front. A re-design that both modernises the car and references a glorious past.

Vertical air-flow spoilers on the C-pillars and bespoke roof spoiler designs for both Cooper and Cooper S increase the cars’ aerodynamic qualities. This reduces drag and improves fuel consumption.

The acclaimed ‘one-piece’ greenhouse that seemed to allow the MINI’s roof to float above the shoulder line, and the shoulder line itself, have been revised and both elements now taper more towards the rear of the car. This makes the new Mini look even more dynamic than before. The shoulder line rises at the B-pillar by 18mm and this extra two centimetres of metal at chest-height cocoons the driver even more, making him feel really settled within the driving environment.

The short overhangs and ‘wheel-at-each-corner’ design is, of course, retained. The slightly different lengths between the models are down to the chassis design, particularly the shape of the bumper. MINI’s wheels plant the car visually on the road almost like pillars, supporting the car as it takes to the tarmac. Mini Cooper and Cooper D feature a 15” 5-star spooler alloy as standard with the Cooper S displaying the 16” S-winder wheel. Six other alloy wheels are optional – one 15”, two 16” and three 17”.

Looking in more detail at the sideview reveals more evidence of MINI’s designers taking the opportunity to recognise the car’s great past. For instance, the incorporation of the diagonal body joint from bonnet to A-pillar via the side indicator panels reflects the classic Mini’s famous welding seam. The indicators on the One, Cooper and Cooper D are housed in a black plastic grille beneath orange covers, with the Cooper S indicator bulbs placed below white housings set in a chrome ‘S’ plate. The distinctive two-tone Mini side mirrors are also larger, and a new chrome petrol cap decorates the Cooper S.

Chrome door handles also reference the car’s heritage. Chrome is also available as a surround through the Chrome Line Package option on the lower front grille and front and rear foglamps, and rear bumper grille and boot grab handle (Cooper S only).

MINI owners now have the choice of Comfort Access System as an option. This features an easy-entry system that negates the need for the driver to blip the unlock button on the key fob. Simply stroll up to the car, push the button on the door handle, slip inside and push the start/stop button for the next Mini adventure.

Back view

The rear light clusters – unashamedly shaped in the style of the classic car’s brake lights - have been mildly redesigned in a bigger, bolder and more pure form that gives them a genuine look of quality. New chrome surrounds and the Mini logo proudly shining out from the enclosed indicator lights that are clear on the S and orange on the other models.

They sit within a rear body shape that has been distinctly layered in an effort to visually offset the increase in the new MINI’s length. More rounded and muscular shoulders also focus the eye on the car’s horizontal lines that form a “cascade” configuration. This layering of individual rear sections makes the car look like it has been built up step-by-step from bottom to top and reinforces its strength and stability.

MINI Cooper S stands out from the crowd with its larger twin exhaust pipes in the middle of the rear spoiler, its larger air outlet and a two-piece rear foglight. The Cooper and Cooper D’s single chrome tailpipe is also larger and its rear valance features a large centrally-placed single rear foglight. The Cooper D’s exhaust is the same as the Cooper, despite being a diesel, due to the particulate filter. The Mini One has a black tailgate handle, with a stainless steel exhaust.

From the top

Adding to the individualisation potential, the roof can be ordered in either body colour, white or black irrespective of the car’s body colour. Twenty roof decal designs are optionally available along with the much-loved stripes that comfortably fit on MINI’s bonnet.

Eight metallics are available within the 12 different body colour options that feature five brand-new colours in Mellow Yellow and Oxygen Blue (non-metallic), and metallics, Sparkling Silver, Lightning Blue and Nightfire Red. Mini Cooper S is also available with two exclusive metallic colours, Dark Silver and Laser Blue.

MINI’s expansive panoramic sunroof option is retained, but, in line with virtually every other detail, improved. Now both front and rear sections can tilt open, allowing a cooling breeze to calm passions in all four seats.

Interior

Whilst MINI’s exterior design and interior ambience clearly communicate the Mini brand, the aim of the interior design is also to showcase, and reinforce in the owner’s eye, the market leading technical facets of the car.

Surfaces are modern and of high quality, attention has been paid to occupants’ legroom, and design icons such as the central speedo and the door interior have been reinforced. Real wood and alloy trim panels add to a long list of options and opportunities to personalise, with some typically smile-inducing lighting design details. New seats and practical new storage and packaging options will make buyers genuinely feel like they are stepping into a new generation model.

At the wheel

The first thing the owner of the second generation new Mini will notice is the lack of a key. Or the lack of a traditional key. A round, MINI-embossed, electronic key can be blipped to unlock the doors and inserted into the slot behind the steering wheel. Pressing the start/stop button then fires the car into action. This key also electronically stores a host of driver and passenger preferences for settings such as the air conditioning and stereo and can be optionally ordered with a Comfort Access system.

Once seated, the driver is confronted with a new, and very modern, treatment to the typical Mini interior. The main and much-loved Mini details remain – sporting rev counter, toggle switches, large central speedo, and chunkier indicator and window wiper stalks – but they return in an updated and thoroughly contemporary fashion. It is clear to see that every detail inside the car has been carefully considered.

The dash and door interior flow almost seamlessly into the rear of the car, with MINI’s much-loved forms, smoothed, simplified and improved in quality. The door features more rounded, simplistic shapes that feature higher quality materials. Fussy details have been removed or incorporated into the overall theme of the design, whilst key functions such as the speakers and grab handles have been highlighted in size or style. MINI’s classic elliptical rim, that defines the interior of the door and its functions, now runs into the rear of the car.

Many of the interior details are inspired by motor sport. The toggle switches, rev counter ahead of the driver and start/stop button, for example.

The toggle switches in the central column beneath the speedo operate the windows, fog lights, and central locking and are larger than on the outgoing model. When a sunroof and/or optional Lights Package is chosen, a second row of toggle switches comes into play in the roof lining above the central speedo. Ambient lighting included in the Lights Package is a unique offering in the automotive industry; the interior lighting of the car can be changed from blue through to orange.

The rev counter is now permanently fixed in front of the driver behind the steering wheel, with a digital speedo read-out, and the car’s computer data incorporated within its dial. And the dial displays the car’s heartbeat. Not only are the revs recorded as the engine pumps the petrol through the cylinders, but the car’s standard alarm indicator pulses on the top surface of the rev counter. The alarm is a Thatcham Category 1 system.

The most impactful new detail is the larger central speedo that now houses the fuel gauge, Seat belt warning indicator, audio system and any optional navigation and entertainment functions. The larger dial contributes to a more simple dash layout that now offers more functions, but fewer dials, than on the out going car.

Radio Boost and Single CD are standard with an option that includes DAB digital radio reception. Other options usually associated with far more expensive cars are navigation, a TV function for analogue and DVB-T signals (for poor areas of reception), and six-disc CD player.

With navigation or TV specified, the speedo takes on a new design that houses the screen. Navigation is then controlled via a small joystick behind the gearstick with two separate buttons for ‘home’ and to move between audio, TV or navigation functions.

An auxiliary connection for iPods or other MP3 players is standard and is housed behind the dash below the central speedo.

The co-driver’s view

The increased simplicity and re-design of surfaces and details has resulted in an interior that exudes quality and functionality. There is more legroom for driver and front passenger as the vertical central column has been narrowed; functions such as the audio controls that were once housed in the central column, have been moved into the central speedo.

Meanwhile, the famously airy cockpit feels even more enticing and spacious due to the repositioning of air vents even further towards the extremities of the long dash. Moving the vents to the ends of the dashboard ‘stretches’ the interior horizontally and visually links the door interior to the dash, cosseting the driver and passenger.

The glove box is standard and can be optionally supplemented with a second storage pocket in the front facia above, which offers space for an optional six CD changer.

Back-seat driver

Access to the back is improved. MINI’s new front seats tip and slide forwards via a new latch on top of the Seat backs rather than at the base.

Once in, comfort has been improved for MINI’s back-seat drivers with the rear of the driver and front passenger seats now indented and lined with material, rather than hard plastic. The rear seats are also slightly more bucket-shaped for extra comfort.

And packaging has been further improved. As part of the optional Storage Pack, the back Seat uprights can be latched in a more forward-locking position to allow for more storage space in the boot. Rear passengers can still sit in the back with the alternative seating arrangement locked in place.

Personalisation

But what links the driver, front, and rear passengers is the opportunity for the MINI’s owner to personalise the interior to make it feel bespoke and exude class.

New ambient illumination included in the optional lights package is unique in the automotive industry. The colour of the interior lights in the roof lining, the door storage compartments and grab handle recesses may be changed at any time in five stages from warm orange to sporting blue, depending on the occupants’ personal preference or mood at the time.  This is controlled from one of the new toggle switches in the roof lining.

Not only is the ambient lighting in the car adaptable at any time, but the interior can be specified from 264 interior combinations of colour and trim. For example:

• The front facia and door insert trims for the Mini One, Cooper and Cooper D (fine white silver), and Cooper S (chequered silver), can be optionally specified in glossy Piano Black, English Oak, Brushed Alloy or Fluid Silver.
• A Colour Line option adds soft-touch plastic highlights in the knee rolls and door armrests. It is available in five colour shades – Dark Grey (standard on optional cloth/leather or leather upholsteries), Cream White, Mellow Yellow, Pacific Blue, and Rooster Red.
• MINI One, Cooper and Cooper D offer Cosmos cloth as their standard Seat upholstery, with Cooper S offering the chequered Seat pattern. Cloth/leather ‘Sports’, beige leather ‘Gravity’, or black leather ‘Punch’ seats are optional on all three models. The hand-sewn, leather-piped sport Seat on the Mini Cooper S is the ultimate and genuinely luxurious option.

With cloth/leather or leather upholstery, Mini is also adorned with a set of 16 silver decal trim rings for the air vents, cupholders and instruments. These are optional on standard upholstery and give the interior an even more sophisticated look.