Mini Hatch first drive – Mild evolution for chic city hatch

What’s new?

There have been a variety of exterior upgrades made to the Mini Hatch and Convertible models which include a refreshed front-end, LED headlights as standard and a refreshed rear-end with the Union Jack taillights as standard. There are also a variety of new exterior colour options, the option of a new Multitone roof and additional alloy wheel options. Overall, the updates are relatively minor but are certainly noticeable when viewed as a whole.

Inside, there have been changes made too, with a new steering wheel that features gloss black haptic pads in place of buttons for functionality, a Piano Black surround for the updated 8.8-inch infotainment system, a 5.0-inch digitised instrument cluster, enhanced ambient lighting, the addition of an electric parking brake, lane departure warning and a light colour for the optional sport seats.

Mini has also introduced equipment packages, making the personalisation of the products a bit less complicated. The packages are divided into networking, operation, driver assistance and comfort categories. There are also specific interior and exterior packages to differentiate your Mini.

Driving Mini

During the event, we had a chance to sample the Cooper S 5-door and the Cooper 3-door. We started the day in the Cooper S 5-door which is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 141kW and 280Nm of torque and is paired with a 7-speed automatic gearbox transmitting power to the front wheels. Claimed performance is respectable, with 100km/h coming up in 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 235km/h. The Cooper s manages to blend daily usability with fun-to-drive dynamics quite well, although, we still find the 5-door Mini too cramped from a rear occupant space perspective, while the 278-litres of boot space is small for a vehicle in this segment.

Hopping on board the Cooper 3-door after lunch we found ourselves thinking that this is the best of the Mini range, with a rorty 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine that produces 100kW and 220Nm of torque and a is paired with a 7-speed automatic gearbox, allowing for a 0-100km/h time of 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h.The Cooper 3-door offers reasonable value, solid performance, good fuel consumption and has no illusions of being a practical four-seat hatchback. The rear seating room is simply too small, and the 211-litre boot is insufficient, however, if the rear seats are folded flat, there is a usable 731-litres of space, making the vehicle practical for two users.

Pricing

Mini Hatch One 3-door	R 420 000
Mini Hatch Cooper 3-door	R 469 500
Mini Hatch Cooper S 3-door	R530 400
Mini Hatch John Cooper Works	R615 000
Mini Hatch One 5-door	R430 000
Mini Hatch Cooper 5-door	R479 500
Mini Hatch Cooper S 5-door	R540 000
Mini Convertible Cooper	R533 000
Mini Convertible Cooper S	R614 000

 

* All Mini models are sold with a MotorPlan, which is valid for 3-years/75 000km on the One derivatives and 5-years/100 000km on all other models.

Verdict

In many ways, the modern Mini has deviated from the original vehicle’s concept, which was to provide as much space as possible within a minuscule car. The new iterations over the past 20-years have lacked practicality and have rather focussed on retro styling cues, a premium feel to the interior, driving dynamics and a near endless scope for personalisation.  The latter can inflate an already steep price tag, though, so be mindful of this if you are considering a Mini.

While there are enthusiasts among us that bemoan the loss of what made the original so iconic, there is no denying that the modern products are unique propositions within the market, which has served the brand well in an automotive world with ever-increasing homogeny. With the brand committing to an all-electric future by 2030, Mini may be able to navigate the course to increased popularity with the brand’s unique positioning.