New Mini Page 3
Two power output levels are available: 66 kW/90 bhp at 5500 rpm in the Mini One and 85 kW/115bhp at 6000 rpm in the Mini Cooper (identifiable by the differently coloured roof panel). Torque is 140 Nm and 149 Nm, respectively. A bit later on, the potent Mini Cooper S will be added to the line-up and this will have 120 kW/163 bhp, the boost coming from a supercharger bolted to the same engine.
With the light weight of the car – no more than 1125 kgs at the kerb – the Mini One can do 0 ~ 100 km/h in a claimed 10.9 seconds while the Cooper will get there in 9.2 seconds. Claimed top speeds – 185 km/h for the Mini One, 200 km/h for the Cooper S.
A 5-speed manual transmission is the base transmission and there’s also an electronic CVT/Steptronic 6-speed box (made by ZF) for those who want the convenience of an automatic with occasional manual shifting. There’s also the option of pushbutton shifting with buttons on the steering wheel.
MULTI-LINK REAR AXLE
Most cars in this size class would have a simple suspension layout for cost reasons, with the popular type having a beam axle at the rear. BMW, always proud of its engineering prowess, decided to underline the premium position of its Mini by giving it a sophisticated rear suspension design based on the multi-link ‘Z-axle’ arrangement found under the 3-Series Compact. It is an ideal layout as it doesn’t intrude much into the boot space. For the front suspension, MacPherson struts are used in a single-joint attachment. To cope with the higher performance, the Cooper has a sports-tuned suspension which includes a rear stabilizer and this suspension can also be added by Mini One buyers as an upgrade.
Against the small bodywork, the standard 15-inch wheels positioned at each corner look pretty large and there are also options for larger wheels with lower profile tyres. As sold, there is no spare wheel provided; for those having standard wheel sizes, there’s a puncture repair kit with a sealant which is sprayed into the tyre through the valve. Those with larger wheels will have a Run-Flat system which allows driving with no air pressure for a limited distance.
However, BMW will also offer an externally-mounted spare wheel carrier later on, if certain markets require it. Basically, leaving out the spare wheel has been for two main reasons, one being a weight-saving measure and the other being that there is really not enough space in the 160-litre boot!
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