Three-cylinder engines for new Mini

The new Mini Hatch is completely new from the ground up, according to BMW. Every component has been back to the drawing board in an effort to optimise function, performance and style.

The car features improvements in technology, engine efficiency and power delivery, driving dynamics, quality and personalisation. It is also quieter than the outgoing model, with improvements to acoustic refinement inside the cabin.

The body is 3.821m long (Mini Cooper S is 3.850m), 1.727m wide and 1.414m tall. This makes it 98mm longer, 44mm wider and 7mm taller than its predecessor. The wheelbase has been extended 28mm, while the track width has been enlarged at the front by 42mm and at the rear by 34mm.  

The new Mini is the first car in its segment to offer the option of LED headlamps for both dipped and main beam. They are surrounded by an LED daylight driving ring, the lower section of which reaches down to the white turn indicators. The rear light clusters also feature an all-LED design.

                                 Three new powertrains

The new Mini Hatch features a range of three entirely new engines, each featuring TwinPower Turbo Technology to increase driving fun and improve environmental efficiency.

The trio all offer improved performance figures, with maximum power across all three variants produced lower down the rev range, while fuel consumption and emission levels have been reduced by as much as 27 per cent when compared to their predecessor models. All meet the stringent EU6 exhaust emissions criteria.

The new Mini Cooper Hatch has a three-cylinder petrol engine with a peak output of 136bhp. The Mini Cooper S Hatch (below) is powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine which develops 192bhp, while Mini Cooper D Hatch comes with a three-cylinder diesel engine with an output of 116bhp.

For fuel efficiency this latter model is the star performer with an average combined economy of 80.7mile/gal using the EU test cycle.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard with rev-matching on downward shifts. A six-speed automatic transmission is available as an option on each engine.

The automatic transmission sees efficiency improvements against the outgoing model, making a significant contribution towards reducing CO2 levels. For example, the outgoing Minni Cooper D Automatic Hatch produces 135g/km CO2 with the new Mini Cooper D Hatch producing 98g/km CO2, a reduction of 38 per cent against the outgoing model.

Both transmission systems are newly developed. The automatic features an engine start/stop function for the first time, preventing unnecessary fuel consumption.

When used in conjunction with the Mini Navigation System, it's able to take account of the selected route profile and control gear shifts. Based on navigation data, the appropriate drive position is selected to match the road ahead, preventing unnecessary upshifts.

Now on the options list is a third transmission, a six-speed sports automatic transmission with shorter shift times. It features rev-matching on downward shifts and can be operated in manual mode using shift paddles behind the steering wheel. ∎