“The easiest way to win a battle of this sort is to make a car so unusual than the other cars around that it automatically becomes a status symbol.” – Alex Issigonis, Mini designer.
In 1957, Alex is charged by British Motor Corporation (BMC) with designing a small fuel-efficient four-seat car to combat the increasing imports of inexpensive bubble cars from Germany and Italy. Thus, the Mini was conceived, starting its life as a Morris Mini Cooper by BMC. It was a marvel in vehicle packaging, with its diminutive dimensions engulfing a 660 cc, transversely mounted engine up front, a front-wheel drive layout and 4 seats with ease.
Morris Mini Cooper by BMC; circa 1959
Launched in 1959, the Mini soon became the best-selling car in Europe and was swiftly hailed as an icon of the optimistic early 1960s. And status symbol it did become – among the five million Minis manufactured by BMC, many were bought by celebrity owners, including the Beatles and the actors Peter Sellers, Dudley Moore and Steve McQueen. In 1969, the Morris prefix was dropped as Mini became a marquee in its own right.
Clever packaging, cheeky styling and diminutive size won many hearts.
46 years later, post BMW ownership of the brand and a scintillating feature in The Italian Job (1969), the all-new 3rd generation Mini is upon us. Sitting atop a new UKL platform, along with fresh engines, the new Mini is available in both three and five door guise. The 2015 Mini Cooper D (diesel) 3-door and 5-Door has been already launched in India a few months back, and following that, the UK based, German owned manufacturer has now introduced the hotter and sportier 3-Door Cooper S variant in the country. We sampled a few of those on a sun scorched Aamby Valley airstrip, outside of Pune.
Style
An inherent simplicity, set into motion by its rich heritage, possesses the new Mini’s exterior design. It’s all about the new age details and the proportions that make it so special. Like the iconic Porsche 911, the crux of the Mini has been honed through the flow of time; stylistically, as well as mechanically. However, along with every passing generation, the Mini has been growing in size. Issigonis’s original lines are being stretched, but not by any means, distorted.
In the flesh and in India, the Mini looks unlike anything else on the road, and is bursting with so much positive visual character that it becomes impossible to ignore.
All around, the styling is evolutionary and a distinct nod to 1969, except for the magnified size. For 2015, vehicle length has been increased by 98 mm, width by 44 mm, and height by 7 mm, as compared to the predecessor model. The new Mini also has a longer wheelbase (+ 28 mm) and larger track width (front + 42 mm, rear + 34 mm).
The hexagonal grille is reminiscent of the original, but for the Cooper S, it bears a honey-comb mesh pattern instead of the shiny, chrome slats on the regular models. The grille, in itself also bears the license plate, while a not too discreet S badge affronts this Mini’s sportier intents.
The bug-eyed headlamps with wide chrome surrounds try to replicate the originals’ simplicity, and are highlighted by massively cool, circular LED daytime running rings with integrated direction indicators. Mini branded projector lamps illuminate the road or track ahead, while adaptive light distribution and LED turning lights save the night. The air-dam has two rectangular inlets for the turbocharged engine, while round, LED fog lamps flank them. The beautifully contoured hood also has a subtle hood scoop.
In profile, the Mini’s iconic proportions and shape have not been harassed much, but accentuated with contemporary touches like the clamshell roof, which can be specified in a contrasting color as a no-cost option, along with the retro styled, circular ORVMs. The “floating” roof accounts for the pillar-less look, when viewed in conjunction with the blacked-out A, B and C pillars – a style that we’re almost too familiar with. A couple of chrome elements bearing the S badge adorn the fenders on both sides.
Contoured wheel arch surrounds are a part of the peripheral body surround in black, and can eat up light alloy wheels optionally available up to 18 inches in size.
The rear is unmistakably a Mini, with rear lights that are a throwback to the original in the most modernist of ways. Also optionally available in LED technology, the rear lights feature a fitting chrome surround. Mid-mounted, chrome licked, twin exhaust pipes say hello from below the compact rear bumper.
If the standard looks don’t cut the mustard for you, MINI allows you a plethora of customizable additions to alter the look and feel of the car. They include a rear spoiler in John Cooper Works design; large selection of decorative roof and exterior mirror options, bonnet stripes, seat upholsteries, chequered livery, interior surfaces and Colour Lines.
Circular LED daytime running rings with integrated direction indicators are optional; but highly recommendable
The Cooper S gets a distinct hood scoop to suck air.
The S badge marks it sporty intents.
So much so, it finds itself on the flanks as well, replete with a chequered pattern underlay.
Beautiful tail lamps are a modern day, stylistic throwback to the original’s – comes with optional LED illumination too.
Centrally positioned twin exhaust pipes from the optional sports exhaust system peek from beneath the rear bumper; sound the business too.
Chromed door handles look the part…
..and so does the period style fuel filler cap
16 inch wheels are half as exciting as the 17 inch examples below.
>>Next page for Interiors in detail>>