Breath of fresh air for the MINI with a new facelift

2018 has only just begun, but the automotive sector has taken it on with great enthusiasm and energy. This is reflected in the large number of new releases and updates, such as the new MINI. The small compact from the German group has received a series of changes that prepare it to face 2018 successfully and continue selling in large numbers. To achieve this, the MINI has undergone surgery both on the outside and on the mechanical side, which has allowed the city car to offer considerable improvements.

MINI became part of the BMW group in 2001, and the reinterpretation the German firm gave it was a real success, since it was not long before the small compact became a best seller. After these seventeen years, the MINI has undergone updates, changes and new engines, but the brand wanted to give it a very special design to take on 2018 and the other years of commercial life that the new MINI has ahead of it.

Matrix LED headlights: because lighting up in style is possible

The MINI receives a series of aesthetic changes that, although not many, are striking. This is because these subtle touch-ups give the new MINI a much more modern and fresh look. The brand achieves this goal through the design of the light units using LED lights. They come as standard from the Cooper version -Cooper S if you choose the MINI Cabrio- and, at the same time, offer the option of being adaptive. This means the headlights will automatically adjust their intensity depending on the traffic and the environment we are driving in.

Thanks to Matrix technology, the reach of the new MINI’s headlights is much greater. They also offer an anti-glare function. But the brand’s engineers wanted to give it a very special touch through the rear lights. These, thanks to the LED lights, create the Union Jack design, a very special nod to the British origins of the MINI.

Current and contemporary mechanics: greater efficiency and power

The mechanics of the new MINI have also been altered and, thanks to a series of changes, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been considerably reduced. This is due to the design of a much more refined turbo engine and the modification of its electronics. But it is not only a more efficient vehicle, it is also lighter. Thanks to the use of some carbon fibre parts -inherited directly from the i vehicles of BMW- the MINI has shed a few kilos on the scales.

On the other hand, the three-cylinder petrol engines belonging to the MINI One now draw their power from a larger displacement, specifically 1.5 litres. This helps to obtain more torque, exactly 10 Nm more than the previous generation. In addition, all petrol engines feature direct injection with a maximum pressure increased from 200 to 350 bar and turbocharger vanes made from a material especially resistant to heat.

MINI continues to offer the option of equipping its models with a manual gearbox. The powertrains keep the same naming and range from the One to the Cooper S. Power outputs range from 75 CV -the most modest of the petrol variants- up to 192 CV. As for the diesel versions, there is an entry-level engine that gives the compact 95 CV, rising up to 170 CV in the Cooper SD.

At the same time, the brand offers the option of equipping the new MINI with a seven- or eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. They have also considered more traditional customers, and the English compact continues to offer the option of a six-speed manual gearbox.

Technology and design for the interior of the new MINI

MINI has taken into account that the interior of its new vehicle needed certain improvements, which allow for a much more modern and technological cabin. The steering wheel of the British compact has undergone some changes, featuring three spokes and a much more contemporary design. The central screen measures 6.5 inches, and offers the option of connecting our mobile device via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The other technological innovations are present in this new MINI, from GPS to the Head-Up Display. But within all of this we must highlight something very important: the quality of the interior materials, which exude subtlety and attention to detail down to the smallest element.

Without a doubt, the new MINI keeps the same philosophy as always, which is based on the principle of offering a compact car capable of tackling the road and with a quality typical of vehicles in higher segments. For now, we do not know the starting prices of this new facelift, but we can assume they will not be very different from those of the previous version.