BMW India to launch the 3- and 5-door variants of the new generation Mini tomorrow

BMW will launch the modern 3-door version and the evolved 5-door variant tomorrow at an event in Mumbai. Both the cars were expected to be introduced for the Indian market by the end of this year and finally they will go on sale tomorrow.

The new Mini is based on the front-wheel-drive UKL architecture and gets many mechanical changes including tweaks to the chassis. The Mini's 3-door model is a bit larger than the previous version. Engineers have increased the length by 98mm, width by 44mm and height by 7mm, while the wheelbase is also extended by 28mm. The 5-door model is based on the 3-door with an extended wheelbase by 72mm to accommodate the additional two doors. The car is 162mm longer, 11mm taller than the standard 3-door version measuring 4,005mm in length, 1,727mm in width, 1,425mm in height and a wheelbase of length 2,567mm.

On the styling front, both the cars get chrome surround headlamps, a hexagonal radiator grille, black body bordering and tail lamps embellished in chrome. The cars come packed with driver assistance systems like Head-Up-Display, park-assist and a rear- view camera. In addition, there is a driving assistant through camera-based active cruise control, collision and pedestrian warning with initial brake function, high beam assistant and road sign detection. On the safety front, front and side airbags, side curtain airbags, three-point automatic belts, belt tensioners and belt force limiters on front seats, twin ISOFIX children seat attachments and tyre pressure control are offered as standard.

The latest iterations of the Mini will be available in three engine options. This includes a new twin-turbo 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine that churns out 135bhp of power and 220Nm of torque, a larger 2.0-litre four-cylinder mill producing 191bhp of power and 280Nm of torque and another 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel motor that produces 168bhp of power and 360Nm of torque. These engines come mated to a six-speed manual or a six-speed Steptronic and a Steptronic sports transmission. However, for the Indian market, only the automatic gearbox will be offered.

The Mini, though expensive, has had a small but a passionate fan base in India and we expect these new successors to carry forward the legacy of the Mini brand. The price of the new generation cars might start at Rs 27 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).