2014 MINI: OFFICIAL

Thye all-new 2014 MINI has been revealed ahead od public debuts in LA and Tokyo

There’s not a whole lot we don’t already know about the all new 2014 MINI. But now it’s official, and so are the specifications. Sitting on the all new BMW platform UKL1 – which will also underpin the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer – makes the new MINI, at least under the skin, much more a BMW than the outgoing MINI even though its is instantly recognisable.

The new platform for the new MINI sees the wheelbase grow by 42mm, length by 98mm and width by 44mm, and with wider tracks front and back the new MINI as far more capacious than before – up by 30 per cent in terms of boot space.

The new engine line-up offers a 3-cylinder 1.5 litre diesel with 114bhp and 80.7mpg, a 1.5 litre petrol with 134bhp and 62.8mpg and a 2.0 litre petrol for the Cooper S which gets 189bhp and 49.6mpg.

Other engines are likely to follow, with lower power 3-cylinder engines heading for the MINi One and ONE D and a higher-power diesel for the Cooper SD. There will also be a more powerful version of the 2.0 litre petrol in the Cooper S heading for the JCW.

MINI wiull be offering three transmission options, with a six-speed manual, an optional six-speed auto and a ‘Sports’ auto with flappy paddles and quicker shift times.

Techn ology also features heavily – with many systems on offer not normally found at this level – like LED headlights and tail lights, a MINI version of BMW’s iDrive with an 8.8″ screen, Variable Damper Control and a selection of alloys from 15-18″.

Initial offerings in the UK will be the MINI Cooper. Cooper D and Cooper S, with prices starting from £15,300.

The all-new 2014 MINI will get its public debut at the Los Angeles and Tokyo Motor Shows this week before going on sale in spring 2014.

By Cars UK