The new MINI 5 door now available in South Africa.

Just a few months after the market launch of the new MINI, the British premium brand expands its model range with the addition of an entirely new body variant. The MINI 5 door combines the hallmark brand driving fun, the distinctive charisma and the extensively refined product substance of the new model generation with additional possibilities arising from the expanded space available. The characteristic exterior design of the original in the small car premium segment is authentically transferred to the specific proportions of the new body featuring the addition of two rear doors. With the wheelbase expanded by 72 millimetres and the body lengthened by 161 millimetres as compared to the new MINI, the 5-door model provides greater freedom in terms of interior use. At the rear of the MINI 5 door there are three seats, and passengers here benefit from the fact that headroom is increased by 15 millimetres as compared to the 3-door model, with interior width increased by 61 millimetres at elbow height. What is more, the luggage compartment space is 67 litres larger than in the new MINI with a total of 278 litres.

The British premium brand is now represented with a 5-door model in the small car segment for the first time in its history. The MINI 5 door instantly sets new records within its competitive environment in terms of legroom, headroom and the volume of its luggage compartment. The car's high level of variability is also supported by the 60: 40 folding split in the rear backrest. It enables the luggage compartment volume to be expanded to as much as 941 litres.

At the market launch of the MINI 5 door there are two engines with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology to choose from. A 3-cylinder petrol engine with a peak output of a 100 kW is available for the MINI Cooper 5 door. 141 kW is the output of the 4-cylinder petrol engine in the MINI Cooper S 5 door. All model variants meet the EU6 exhaust emission standard.

Once again in the MINI 5 door, the latest generation of engines ensures an exceptionally favourable balance between driving fun and fuel consumption with the likewise newly developed 6-speed manual and 6-speed Steptronic transmissions as well as extensive MINIMALISM technology. Typical MINI go-kart feeling is guaranteed due to a model-specific version of the refined suspension technology. Dynamic Damper Control with adjustable dampers is optionally available for the MINI 5 door. The optional MINI driving modes ensure made-to-measure sporty flair and comfort.

The MINI 5 door also benefits from the high standards of the new model generation in terms of the quality of materials and workmanship, safety, acoustic and vibrational comfort as well as innovative equipment features. The new display and operating concept can be optionally supplemented with an on-board computer of up to 8.8 inches in size in the central instrument as well as the MINI Controller with touch-sensitive surface. An optional LED light ring for the central instrument provides feedback on driving condition as well as on numerous functions activated by the driver. Other equipment features available include the LED headlight, LED fog lamp, ambient lighting and Comfort Access. The range of optional driver assistance systems includes the Head-Up Display which extends above the steering column, the Driving Assistant system including camera-based active cruise control, collision and pedestrian warning with initial brake function, high beam assistant, road sign detection, Parking Assistant and rear view camera.

What is more, the diversity of the MINI Connected in-car infotainment program is unique within the competitive field.  Numerous additional functions, which can be integrated in the vehicle via apps in the areas of social networks and infotainment, are now available for both the Apple iPhone and for smartphones using the operating system Android.

Exterior design: characteristic proportions, clear lines.

The new MINI 5 door is the second body variant of the new MINI. The functional qualities of the 5-door model are also reflected in the clarity of its lines. The unique roof line and the emphasis of the rear section draw attention to the extended length, while the increased overall height reflects the improvement in headroom. The design reflects the car's historical roots as well as being an evolutionary refinement of the contemporary vehicle concept. Characteristic MINI proportions ensure a compact and powerful appearance, which underscores the agility of the MINI 5 door as well as its consistent orientation towards driving fun.

The body of the new MINI 5 door is 3 982 millimetres long (MINI Cooper S 5 door: 4 005 millimetres), 1 727 millimetres wide and 1 425 millimetres high. This makes the MINI 5 door 161 millimetres longer and 11 millimetres higher than the 3-door version – the width remains the same. The wheelbase has been extended in the MINI 5 door by 72 millimetres to 2 567 millimetres, while the track is identical to that of the 3-door model. Cornering agility is in no way inferior to that of the 3-door version. Interior comfort has been tangibly enhanced: due to the extended wheelbase, rear passengers now have 72 millimetres foot space and legroom available to them, while the increased space also provides for a third seat in the back row as well as more comfortable access to the rear. The increased vehicle height can be felt in an additional 15 millimetres of headroom. Meanwhile the car's interior width at elbow height is now increased by 61 millimetres. The luggage compartment has a volume of 278 litres – an increase of 67 litres or around 30 per cent as compared to the 3-door model.

Like all MINI models, the new MINI 5 door also has an unmistakable appearance. This is due to the car's proportions as well as the typical brand styling and characteristic three-way structure of its body. The corpus, greenhouse and roof on top are clearly separated from one another in visual terms. The window graphics taper off visually to the rear, contributing to a dynamic wedge shape from the side perspective and indicating the forward thrust of the MINI 5 door even when stationary.

The wide track and short overhangs emphasise the striking expression of the vehicle's corpus as it sits powerfully on top of the wheels. The athletic stature of the new MINI 5 door is underscored by a striking sill line between the front and rear wheel arches. Meanwhile the character line below the side windows provides a dynamic downward thrust which directs attention to the large wheel apertures.

Traditional design features include the hexagonal contour of the radiator grille, the side indicator surrounds known as side scuttles, the circular headlights, the upright rear light clusters and the black periphery around the bottom edge of the body. The contours of the headlamps, rear lights and wheel arches are emphasised by means of precise edging. The single-section, seamless chrome frame of the radiator grille brings out the hexagonal shape particularly clearly. The visual effect of the side scuttle elements and the additional headlights in the front apron is enhanced by means of striking lines on the adjacent surfaces in each case.

Engine variants:

MINI Cooper S 5 door: 4-cylinder petrol engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology (turbo charging, direct injection, fully variable valve control, variable camshaft control),
capacity: 1 998 cc, output: 141 kW at 4 700 – 6 000 rpm, max. torque: 280 Nm at 1 250 – 4 750 rpm
(300 Nm with overboost),
acceleration (0–100 km/h): 6.9 seconds (automatic: 6.8 seconds),
top speed: 232 km/h (230 km/h),
average fuel consumption*: 6.0 – 5.9 litres (5.5 – 5.4 litres)/100 kilometres,
CO2 emissions*: 139 – 136 g/km (128 – 125 g/km), exhaust emission standard: EU6.

MINI Cooper 5 door: 3-cylinder petrol engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology (turbo charging, direct injection, fully variable valve control, variable camshaft control),
capacity: 1 499 cc, output: 100 kW  at 4 500 – 6 000 rpm, max. torque: 220 Nm at 1 250 – 4 000 rpm
(230 Nm with overboost),
acceleration (0–100 km/h): 8.2 seconds (automatic: 8.1 seconds),
top speed: 207 km/h (207 km/h),
average fuel consumption*: 4.8 – 4.7 litres (4.9 – 4.8 litres)/100 kilometres,
CO2 emissions*: 111 – 109 g/km (114 – 111 g/km), exhaust emission standard: EU6.

Exterior dimensions:
Length: 3 982 millimetres (MINI Cooper S 5 door: 4 005 millimetres)
Width: 1 727 millimetres
Height: 1 425 millimetres
Wheelbase: 2 567 millimetres