Mini boldly announces the fourth-gen Cooper petrol hatch, positioning it as the penultimate combustion model after last year’s electric debut.
Exterior and Interior
The new petrol Mini Cooper seamlessly inherits the aesthetic appeal of its electric counterparts. With streamlined LED headlights, a prominent hexagonal body-colored grille, and triangular matrix LED taillights, this iteration retains the iconic design features.
Notably, the top intake houses BMW’s smallest radar sensor, collaborating with 12 ultrasonic sensors for advanced driver assistance features.
Tech-Infused Interior
Stepping inside the 3-door variant, a minimalist dashboard design showcases the groundbreaking OLED infotainment display. Mini proudly claims this as the first round OLED touchscreen in a production vehicle, providing crucial information like road speed and fuel economy.
The innovative toggle bar now hosts the gear selector, parking brake, start/stop key, experience mode switch, and volume control. The center console takes a leap into the future with a built-in wireless charging station.
Enhanced Powertrain
Under the hood, Mini elevates the driving experience with upgraded engines. The 1.5-litre B38 three-cylinder and 2.0-litre B48 four-cylinder engines, known as the MINI Cooper C and Mini Cooper S, offer power and efficiency. The Cooper C generates 156PS and 230Nm of torque, achieving 0 to 100 kmph in 7.7 seconds.
Meanwhile, the Cooper S boasts 204PS and 300Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 kmph in just 6.6 seconds. Both models come equipped with automatic transmissions.
Indian Market Expectations
Mini currently offers the third-generation Cooper hatchback in India with both petrol and electric variants. The introduction of the fourth-generation range is highly anticipated later this year. The petrol variant presently starts at Rs 42.70 lakh, while the electric version starts at Rs 53.50 lakh.
Our Take
The unveiling of the 4th Gen Mini Cooper Petrol marks a significant stride in combustion engineering, infusing iconic design with cutting-edge technology. As we eagerly await its arrival, Mini continues to redefine the narrative of petrol-powered vehicles.